Why users avoid upgrading to Windows 11: Causes and consequences

Windows 11 was released about 4 years ago, yet many users are in no hurry to upgrade to it. As of January 2025, according to StatCounter, Windows 10 still holds a 60.33% market share, while only 36.65% of users have adopted Windows 11. These numbers confirm that, despite the new version's growing popularity, it hasn’t captured mass attention, especially among those accustomed to the stability and familiarity of Windows 10.

Why is this the case? The Register decided to investigate.

Issues with Strict System Requirements

When Microsoft introduced Windows 11 in 2021, it imposed stricter system requirements (initially requiring users to have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and a relatively new processor, though Microsoft quickly added the Intel Core i7-7820HQ from Surface Studio 2 to the compatibility list). This led to many users being unable to update their devices to the new OS.

Microsoft explained that these measures were necessary for enhancing security and improving overall system performance. However, these limitations left a significant portion of users stuck on the older version, Windows 10, which still dominates the market.

More than three years later, the hardware compatibility restrictions have eased, but the remaining limits still feel artificial. Many users would likely prefer to decide for themselves how secure their desktop should be, rather than letting Microsoft make the decision for them. Nonetheless, today, it's no longer difficult to buy a PC incompatible with Windows 11, and this barrier is gradually disappearing. Still, Windows 10 remains the leader in terms of market share.

Lack of Significant Benefits for Users

One of the main reasons users aren’t rushing to upgrade to Windows 11 is the lack of compelling benefits that would make them give up their familiar system. Many of the features introduced in Windows 11 were already available in Windows 10, making the upgrade less appealing to most users.

The Corporate Sector Sticks with Windows 10

This issue is particularly pronounced among corporate users, who don’t see the need to upgrade to the newer version. For them, Windows 10 continues to be sufficiently secure and stable, and the move to Windows 11 offers no notable improvements in terms of performance or features. Moreover, some users who have tried Windows 11 have reverted to the older version due to performance issues, stability problems, and compatibility concerns with Wi-Fi and other devices.

The Only Incentive – Security Updates

The only incentive for upgrading to Windows 11 right now is the need for regular security updates. Windows 10 support will end in October 2025, and after that, users won’t be able to receive critical security patches without upgrading to a newer version. However, for those who can’t or don’t want to update, Microsoft will offer paid security support, though without new features.

Conclusion

Although Microsoft is actively promoting Windows 11, many users are reluctant to upgrade, mainly due to the lack of significant advantages and stricter system requirements. It’s unlikely that the situation will drastically change before Windows 10 support ends in 2025, and Microsoft will need to find new ways to convince users of the necessity to switch to the latest OS version.