Windows 11, which recently overtook Windows 10 to become the world’s most widely used desktop operating system, is now showing signs of retreat. New market data suggests that the newer platform is losing users at a notable pace, raising fresh questions about Microsoft’s long-term operating system strategy.
Figures published by Statcounter indicate that Windows 11 held a global desktop market share of 55.18 percent in October 2025. That position weakened in the following months, falling to 53.7 percent in November and then dropping again in December to 50.73 percent.
In just two months, the operating system shed more than five percentage points, a decline that stands out even when accounting for statistical margins and the fact that the data does not come directly from Microsoft.
Over the same period, Windows 10 moved in the opposite direction. Its market share increased from 41.71 per cent in October to 42.7 per cent in November, before climbing to 44.68 per cent in December.
Despite the rebound, Windows 10 remains below the levels it reached earlier in 2025, but the recent gains are significant given that the system officially reached the end of support in October.
Adding another unexpected twist, Windows 7 also recorded growth. Its share rose from 2.52 per cent in October to 3.83 per cent by December, underscoring that a segment of users continues to rely on older software despite security and compatibility risks.
A Decline Without a Single Cause
Statcounter does not offer explanations for the shift in market share, leaving analysts to interpret the broader context. Windows 11 had steadily gained adoption throughout its lifecycle and finally surpassed Windows 10 in June 2025, although that milestone took longer than Microsoft initially anticipated.
The company had intensified its push toward Windows 11 in the months leading up to the end of Windows 10 support. Users encountered prominent upgrade prompts, and Microsoft introduced tools to streamline the transition. When Windows 10 support officially ended on October 14, 2025, systems running the older software stopped receiving updates unless users paid for extended coverage.
However, the end of support alone does not fully explain the reversal. Instead, critics argue that the deadline drew increased attention to Windows 11 itself, and not all users were satisfied with what they experienced.
Trust and Stability Under Scrutiny
Industry observers have increasingly framed Windows 11’s challenges as a matter of trust rather than missing features. While the operating system continues to power hundreds of millions of devices and is widely praised for its underlying capabilities, repeated issues have eroded user confidence.
The start of 2026 proved particularly turbulent. A series of problematic updates left some users unable to run basic applications or even shut down their computers, forcing them to revert to earlier system versions. At the same time, Microsoft’s confirmation that BitLocker encryption keys could be shared with law enforcement under certain conditions fueled privacy concerns.
Public perception was already strained throughout 2025. Users voiced frustration over the growing presence of advertisements within the operating system and the persistent push toward artificial intelligence features, many of which were seen as intrusive rather than helpful.
These concerns have moved beyond niche forums into mainstream discussion. Influencers and reviewers have echoed the sentiment that while PC hardware has reached new heights in performance and design, the Windows experience has struggled to keep pace.
The phrase “Microslop”, which is gaining traction on social platforms, has further highlighted the reputational challenge facing Microsoft.
A Worrying Signal for Microsoft
Pinpointing a single reason behind Windows 11’s recent decline is difficult. More likely, it reflects a combination of update missteps, design decisions, privacy anxieties, and user fatigue.
Whatever the cause, the optics are unfavourable: Microsoft’s flagship operating system is losing ground to an older version that is no longer officially supported.
