Microsoft's Bad News—500 Million Windows Users Must Now Decide

Forbes

2 days ago

Surprising bad news suddenly hits Microsoft.
A new warning has been issued for Windows users, whose PCs have been described as 'magnets for security threats,' just as new data gives Microsoft a surprising bad news story ahead of the critical next few months. You can expect many more such warnings as 500-million Windows users face an increasingly urgent decision.
The latest advice comes courtesy of PC maker Asus, pointing out that 'if you're still using Windows 10 or, dare we say it, something even older — your computer's days of regular updates and support are numbered.' As for upgrades, 'what makes Windows 11 different?," Asus says. "one word: Copilot," as it pushes the latest range of AI PCs.
Clearly, you don't need to decide on a premium Copilot PC to benefit from Windows 11's future-proofing, ensuring your PC receives critical security updates after Windows 10's demise in October. AI PCs remain a niche, despite projections they will eventually dominate new PC sales. Right now, there's a more fundamental decision to make.
Windows 10 versus Windows 11 globally.
The latest Windows market data presents a painfully bleak picture with just over five months to run until free Windows 10 security updates end for all users. Paid extensions are available, but they're expensive for enterprises and restricted to just 12-months for home users who also must pay. Microsoft is pushing free upgrades not paid extensions.
A month ago, it seemed Windows 11 had turned the tide against Windows 10. The newer OS already outanks its older sibling in the U.S. but not globally. Come the end of April, though, Windows 11 was within 10% of Windows 11 for the first time. 'Just over half (53%) of all users are still on Windows 10, but that's inching down month by month.'
Not any more, it seems. While more directional than exact, Statcounter's data at the end of May shows a slight month-over-month increase for Windows 10, while Windows 11 dips. This after four months of steady progress the other way. Windows 10 is holding stubbornly above 50% while Windows 11 remains 10% behind.
Windows 10 versus Windows 11 in U.S.
This means there are around 750 million users are yet to upgrade to Windows 11, of which at least 240 million don't have an eligible PC. That still leaves around 500 million users who can take up Microsoft's offer for a free Windows 11 upgrade but have not.
Even in the U.S., where Windows 11 has overtaken Windows 10, May's data suggests Windows 10 has grown its share from 41% in April to more than 43%, while Windows 11 drops a more worrying 3.5%, from 56.5% down to below 53%.
All this makes June's data critical. Come the end of this month, there will be just three months until Windows 10 is shuttered. If Microsoft is to avoid a cybersecurity nightmare hitting mid-October, something need to change. For all those Windows 10 users with PCs eligible for a free upgrade, do not run out of time.