REDMOND, Wash., July 25 — Windows 11 now accounts for the majority of the worldwide PC market as of June 2026, the first time a single Windows version has held that level of dominance in years. The operating system, released on October 5, 2021, was a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices. But eligibility proved contentious from the start.
The record shows Microsoft imposed the highest system requirements in the history of a major Windows release: UEFI firmware, Secure Boot, and Trusted Platform Module version 2.0. Official support extended only to devices with an eighth-generation Intel Core or newer processor, a second-generation AMD Ryzen or newer, or a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 or later system-on-chip.
Those restrictions shut out a substantial number of older but still functional machines, drawing sharp criticism from users and technology media alike. Installation on unsupported hardware remains technically possible, but Microsoft does not guarantee updates or support on such systems.
A timeline of adoption
On the timeline, Windows 11 spent years playing catch-up to its predecessor. For context, Windows 10 had amassed a massive install base after its own launch in 2015. It was not until June 2025 that Windows 11 finally surpassed Windows 10 as the most installed version worldwide.
Then, over the following twelve months, the gap widened sharply. As of June 2026, Windows 10 holds a significant share of the market, and Windows 7, whose mainstream support ended years earlier, still commands a small share.
Among all traditional PC operating systems, Windows 11 is now the single most-used version. The data suggests a steady migration, accelerated perhaps by the October 2025 milestone when Windows 11 became the only fully supported consumer-oriented version of Windows. It is worth noting that Windows 11 is the first major version of Windows without a corresponding mobile edition, following the end of support for Windows 10 Mobile.
It is also the first version of Windows without a 32-bit build, running only on x86-64 and ARM64 architectures. The Windows Server counterpart, Windows Server 2025, was released in 2024.
Mixed reviews, clear design changes
Upon its initial release, Windows 11 received mixed reviews. Sources familiar with user feedback point to praise for its visual design, window management features, and security enhancements. At the same time, it drew criticism for limitations on taskbar customization and restrictions on changing default applications.
Those complaints, while persistent, did not stop the operating system from eventually becoming the dominant platform. The numbers now speak clearly: Windows 11 holds the majority of the worldwide market.
That dominance, built over nearly five years, reflects both the eventual retirement of Windows 10 support and the hardware refresh cycle that brought newer machines into compliance with Windows 11’s requirements.
Sources
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