this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2026

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Windows 11 just lost 5% market share in two months despite Windows 10 losing support. (www.windowscentral.com)

submitted 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) by ekZepp@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

194 comments fedilink hide all child comments

According to Statcounter, Windows 11 held a 55.18% market share in October 2025. That share dropped to 53.7% in November and dropped again in December. Now, Windows 11 holds a 50.73% market share.

https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/windows/desktop/worldwide

Many are rollback to Windows 10, but Linux is increasing as well.

https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide

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[–] bus_factor@lemmy.world 114 points 4 weeks ago (11 children)

I imagine this is why MS is finally backtracking a bit on the aggressive pushing of AI in every app. They're doing Clippy all over again, but OS-wide this time.

Just impressive how hard they managed to screw the pooch here. Have they forgotten that every other Windows release is universally hated? They had a good thing going until they discontinued Windows 10 before Windows 12 was out. Now they'll probably need to rush out another version, because the name Windows 11 is forever tainted.

[–] kboos1@lemmy.world 110 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (14 children)

The thing that's driving me away from windows is how pushy it's gotten. Forced updates, ads, AI, OneDrive, and subscriptions. I just want to be able to turn on MY computer and do what I want or need without having my guard up that I can't trust my home PC with my privacy.

Windows 11 is ok, but is frustrating to use and I can't trust it not to screw with settings and there seems to be something annoying adding instead of something useful with every update. I also hate the Settings menu, it's like an unhelpful layer between you and Control Panel the eventually will take you to the same place but took 5 more clicks and searching through drop downs for a link to what you needed.

[–] Takapapatapaka@tarte.nuage-libre.fr 52 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

+1. I ragequit windows when it reinstalled Teams during an OS update, just after i uninstalled it.

[–] bus_factor@lemmy.world 11 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

I discovered that there's a separate application which just reinstalls Teams all the time. I don't remember the name, but it had Teams in the name. After I uninstalled that it finally stopped popping up.

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[–] Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz 27 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Win10 LTSC IOT has support until like 2032, and doesn't have any of that pushy bullshit. It's free to pirate btw.

[–] sturmblast@lemmy.world 10 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

This is the way

[–] Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz 19 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

Eh, if you're not able to make the jump to linux ig.

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[–] Bytemeister@lemmy.world 13 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

I finally kicked Windows after 30 years because I have to use windows 11 for work, and it fails at almost everything an operating system should be. Search doesn't work right. Applications don't work right. Basic UI is buggy and inconsistent. It's the most expensive piece of software I use. Using 2 cores and 7GB of RAM at idle is unacceptable for an operating system. It's the equivalent of running Skyrim all the time in the background. It actively tries to undermine my privacy, and instead of using that data to enhance my UX, it spams targeted ads at me in my fucking taskbar. Windows 11 is basically a SmartTV in terms of privacy and functionality at this point. It actively gets in the way of you using the hardware, and to no tangible benefit. Worse, it's become clear that Microsoft recognizes this, and is actively pursuing and expanding the capabilities, with no intent to make a good OS in the future.

I'm out.

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[–] Tetsuo@jlai.lu 9 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

That's probably my main issue with Windows : Its ability to change settings on its own.

I feel like I have almost not control over my OS. It's not a tool that helps me do stuff, it's a dumb assistant that thinks he understands what I'm trying to achieve.

"Oh you plugged a PS5 Dual Sense controller I see, let me switch your microphone to the controller even though you are actively already using another one".

"Oh you put your computer in sleep before going to bed? Let me switch it on In the middle of the night to update, we will call that a mandatory maintenance because you can't disable that feature".

I really need to spend more time on my Linux boot rather than this shitty W10 setup".

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[–] RedstoneValley@sh.itjust.works 13 points 4 weeks ago (3 children)

Do you have a source for that backtracking about AI? I think they did not mention that explicitly. Instead they were talking about unrelated improvements. The CEO is still in denial about AI bloat. He seems unable to comprehend that people don't like to be force fed AI everywhere across the OS.

[–] artyom@piefed.social 9 points 4 weeks ago (4 children)

They're not in denial. They know no one wants it. They all do. They just don't care because pretending like they do is extremely profitable in the fucked up modern economy we live in.

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[–] hddsx@lemmy.ca 11 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

I liked Clippy. I hate AI

[–] Randynippletwist@lemmynsfw.com 11 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

📎I see you are nostalgic for your youth and how programs were tools and not spyware to track and target you. Maybe I can help with that 👮‍♀️👮‍♀️👮🏽👮🏽🚓🚓🚁🚁

[–] skulblaka@sh.itjust.works 19 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

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[–] Damage@feddit.it 9 points 4 weeks ago (4 children)

It's not just AI, W11 is slow and unfriendly in general

[–] UnspecificGravity@piefed.social 8 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Yep. Everything that runs in windows 10 runs worse on Windows 11 and y are getting nothing in return. My work PC can barely manage a big spreadsheet now.

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[–] Decq@lemmy.world 88 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

Why write this article in January when it's main source shows an increase of 12% again in that month?? If anything this article should be about how statscounter is a very unreliable metric. Honest journalism really is dead huh.

[–] Imhotep@lemmy.world 17 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

That’s why I liked the "misleading?" tag mods can add to Reddit posts, it’s a good anti clickbait tool.

[–] darkdemize@sh.itjust.works 12 points 4 weeks ago (4 children)

Because a ton of people got new devices for Christmas with Win 11 pre-loaded. Prior to that, Win 11 adoption rates were declining. It's highly likely that future results will show Win 11 adoption continues to slide.

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[–] rmuk@feddit.uk 67 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Clickbait bullshit.

The source shows that Windows 11 usage has been steadily climbing for a long time, including in January - the latest data available - but presumably that didn't fit their narrative so they ignored all the data except the data single point that they liked which corresponds to the month where every business shuts down for a week.

Statcounter shows that not only is Windows use increasing, but also that Windows 11's share is too.

I don't expect anyone here to be happy about these things - I certainly can't say I am - but pretending the Windows is in the middle of an epic downfall when it actually appears to be doing fine won't help anyone except Microsoft.

[–] Rooster326@programming.dev 8 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (2 children)

How do they measure these stats?

They aren't reaching into my PC so they're only checking when I [X].

So it isn't it always just measuring "Os percent from user who [X]"

E.g. Steam only check people with Steam. Slash Dot can only going to measure PCs who go to Slashdot. AOL.com is only checking Boomers.

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[–] rustydrd@sh.itjust.works 59 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

People upgrading to Windows 11 be like:

[–] RamRabbit@lemmy.world 35 points 4 weeks ago

This was me. Hit the update to 11 button because I have always liked new things. About a week later went back to 10, then about a year ago saw the writing on the wall and jumped ship to Mint. Shoulda done it earlier!

[–] AI_toothbrush@lemmy.zip 38 points 4 weeks ago

Its the first time my peers are actually asking me about switching to linux. Sweden is an extremely techbro country, which i say because they have all the newest gadgets and then cant open a file for fucks sake.

[–] lautan@lemmy.ca 27 points 4 weeks ago (16 children)

I been switching everyone to Linux, specifically Mint. It's good enough now for whatever.

[–] herseycokguzelolacak@lemmy.ml 7 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

I switched my parents to Linux more than 10 years ago. They are very happy with it.

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[–] Pollo_Jack@lemmy.world 26 points 3 weeks ago (17 children)

Just switched to Linux. Convinced sis in law to try linux as she was having driver issues. Wife is about to try it on our laptop. Linux has reached a point of, it just works. It can play windows games better than windows, so no reason not to.

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[–] Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world 23 points 4 weeks ago (3 children)

I switched to linux at the end of last year too! I am part of that increase and i like it.

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[–] ClassyHatter@sopuli.xyz 22 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (5 children)

Windows 11 market share went from 55% on October 2025 to 62% on January 2026. That's an increase of 7 percentage units, not a drop of 5 percentage units.

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[–] UnspecificGravity@piefed.social 22 points 4 weeks ago

Brand new windows measurably losing ground to it's prior unsupported edition and Linux is fucking wild.

[–] aliser@lemmy.world 22 points 4 weeks ago

glad I switched to Linux, Microslop's current state is a disaster. yes it randomly implodes sometimes, mainly by my fault, but at least I can rollback! no more headache of forced updates.

[–] GodofLies@lemmy.ca 17 points 3 weeks ago (15 children)

Swapped to Linux Mint over the weekend. No major issues. Steam works, LLMs work, web browser stuff all transferred over...it wasn't perfect but pretty easy to figure it out with a few online searches. The best part - it actually runs better. No more f*cked up bluetooth and audio as well.

A lot of customization can be done on it, but I think for most people, Linux is fine for the vast majority of users already out of the box. Some criticism is that I think the UX can be improved and a more layman-friendly streamlined partition mounting + file security management.

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[–] jpablo68@infosec.pub 17 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

I won't update my perfectly usable computer just because microslop refuses to support it.

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[–] Bwaz@lemmy.world 16 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm sure it has nothing to do with forcefeeding AI or copying the user's screen content.

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[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 16 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

It's finally the year of Desktop Linux, about fifteen (or more) years after people thought it would happen. I'm happy for all the nerds who are finally vindicated. (I like Linux, but I'm an Apple guy.)

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[–] ErmahgherdDavid@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Love to see it

screenshot of msft share price showing 14% drop in the last 5 days

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[–] Lemminary@lemmy.world 12 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Been using Linux for a while. The only thing I miss is League of Legends, but other than that we're chilling.

[–] Breezy@sopuli.xyz 10 points 3 weeks ago

I view that as a pro. Switching to Linux made it easy to quit that addiction lol.

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[–] herseycokguzelolacak@lemmy.ml 10 points 4 weeks ago

Statcounter data has a lot of shortterm noise. Longterm trends are meaningful, but do not get too excited about short term fluctuations.

At the same time Windows has been slowly losing market share over the years.

[–] anticurrent@sh.itjust.works 10 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Please Stop using statcounter as a reliable source. Their numbers are absolutely wack.

Look at the recent surge in win7 pcs, that no economical data can back up, if you look at win7 stats of some countries you will find some weird spikes that died out this last month. why go from an os that has lost security updates to an older os that today's software can't run on anymore

https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/windows/desktop/argentina

https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/windows/desktop/tunisia

https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/windows/desktop/ethiopia

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[–] Mrkawfee@feddit.uk 10 points 4 weeks ago

Linux Mint for desktop. Bazzite for handheld.

Bye Microsoft

[–] MrRandom@lemmy.zip 9 points 4 weeks ago

This is Internet Explorer all over again

[–] Lorka@feddit.dk 8 points 3 weeks ago

With Window 11, Microsoft AND America being horribly at the same time, whole countries are looking to replace their OS.

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