Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system has surpassed 1 billion users worldwide, achieving the milestone slightly quicker than its predecessor. CEO Satya Nadella announced the figure during the company's recent earnings call. Despite user complaints, the OS continues to gain traction amid Windows 10's gradual decline.
Windows 11, launched on October 5, 2021, hit the 1 billion user mark after 1,576 days, as revealed by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the company's most recent earnings call. This pace edges out Windows 10, which took 1,692 days from its July 29, 2015, release to reach the same number by March 16, 2020.
Unlike Windows 10, which offered free upgrades from Windows 7 and 8 without stricter hardware needs, Windows 11 requires more powerful systems, leaving many older PCs ineligible. Still, as a free upgrade from Windows 10, it has drawn users preferring familiarity over alternatives like Linux.
Data from Statcounter shows 50-55% of Windows PCs now run Windows 11, with 40-45% on Windows 10. Dell COO Jeffrey Clarke noted around 1 billion active Windows 10 devices as of late 2025, half ineligible for the upgrade. Windows 10's end-of-support came last October, but Microsoft provides a three-year transition: one year of opt-in free security updates for consumers, up to three years paid for businesses, and support for apps like Windows Defender and Microsoft Edge through at least 2028.
User frustrations persist over performance issues, mandatory Microsoft account prompts, and nagging notifications for services like OneDrive and Edge. Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft's president of Windows and devices, stated the company is 'swarming' engineers to urgently address reliability and modernize outdated elements resembling Windows 7 or XP.
These efforts aim to retain users, as Windows 11 remains the path of least resistance for many on Windows 10.