Windows 11 ascends to become the popular choice for PC gamers

Valve's latest Steam survey from June 2024 indicates a significant shift in operating system popularity on the gaming platform. Windows 11 is making steady progress and is poised to surpass Windows 10 in terms of user adoption.

Recent data from Valve reveals that Windows 11 now commands a share of 46.63% of users on the platform, which boasted over 37 million people last month. This marks a positive increase of 0.55% compared to the previous month. While Windows 10 maintains its current lead at 49.42%, it witnessed a decline of 0.93% in June. With Windows 11 advancing steadily and Windows 10 losing ground, it is only a matter of a few months before the former takes the top spot.

In contrast, other Windows versions, such as Windows 7 and 8, account for less than 1% of the user base and have become largely insignificant. Interestingly, macOS 14.5 now surpasses these two older Windows versions, accounting for 1.31% of users, while Linux further leads at 2.08%, likely owing to its usage in the Steam Deck as SteamOS. It is evident that Microsoft's desktop operating system will remain dominant for years to come.

Despite the notable success of Windows 11, it has not been exempt from difficulties. Recent occurrences have presented significant challenges for the operating system. Users have experienced increased advertising from the Weather app to even the Start menu. Moreover, instability issues have plagued certain users, leading Microsoft to momentarily halt the rollout of new features. Reports of the taskbar breaking, coupled with Windows 11 users being trapped in endless reboot loops, have also emerged.

Numerical data unequivocally highlights Windows 11's inevitable journey towards being the primary operating system for PC gamers. Instituting Windows 11 as the default winner seems plausible considering its assured long-term support and continuous delivery of essential security updates and improvements, while Windows 10 is nearing the end of its lifespan.

Nonetheless, recent setbacks may deter Windows 10 users from transitioning to Windows 11. Outside the gaming sphere, adoption of Windows 11 has proven sluggish, raising concerns for Microsoft, especially considering that the upgrade is free. However, not all users are able to upgrade due to the specific hardware requirements of the new operating system.

Windows 10 is slated to reach its end of support by October 2025, ensuring that users will be faced with the choice to upgrade to Windows 11 or explore alternatives like Linux. Alternatively, users can opt to pay for extended Windows 10 support, offering a third option for a limited period.