AdDuplex: Windows 11’s Market Share Continues to Stagnate in April
- Laurent Giret
- Apr 27, 2022
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30
AdDuplex has confirmed today that the growth of Windows 11 has slowed down significantly. Indeed, the market share of Windows 11 went from 19.4% in March to 19.7% in the company’s April 2022 report, which is based on data collected from around 5,000 Windows Store apps.
In comparison, Windows 10 version 21H2 saw its market share grow from 28.5% in March to 35% this month. Microsoft announced last week that the latest version of Windows 10 was now ready for broad deployment, which means that all Windows 10 users can now install it from Windows Update.
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Windows 10 version 21H1 closes the podium at 26.4%, down from 26.5% last month. The older Windows 10 version 20H2, which will reach end of support for Home and Pro users on May 10, 2022, now has a single-digit market share of 6.1% (down from 10.8% last month).
Earlier this year, Microsoft said that it was seeing “strong demand” for Windows 11 and with “people accepting the upgrade offer to Windows 11 at twice the rate we saw for Windows 10.” While the 19.7% market share reported by AdDuplex isn’t bad, it’s possible that the majority of Windows 10 users who could update to Windows 11 already did, and that the OS’ strict minimum hardware requirements are now preventing the rest of them to follow.
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jchampeau
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Market share and usage share are different. AdDuplex reports on usage of Windows 11, not on PC makers buying it.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>I’m not sure if it still applies, but there used to be a thing called "downgrade rights" in <em>Windows</em>, so if a machine came with say <em>Windows 10</em>, you could legally rollback to <em>8.1 </em>or <em>7</em>. If that still exists, then machines may be <em>sold</em> with a <em>Windows 11 </em>licence, but actually have <em>Windows 10</em> pre-installed (or for enterprise customers, they can wipe-and-reload with their own <em>Win10</em> image), meaning market-share for <em>11</em> may be reported higher than what is actually in-use…</p>
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MattBaker
Log in to Reply<p>I downgraded a new PC I just bought last week. </p><p><br></p><p>It’s not easy — I had to download an ISO — so I don’t think mainstream users are going to do it.</p>
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SherlockHolmes
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I wonder why :-P</p><p><br></p>
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Rik
Log in to Reply<p>Probably because they’re still not rolling it out as an automated update and every seeker has it by now.</p>
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SherlockHolmes
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I would rather say nobody wants this crap. </p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>I’d say it’s simply a combination of (1) anyone with a PC eligible to run <em>Windows 11</em>, and interested in doing-so, has already updated to it; and (2) all that remains after-that are the 100s of millions of PCs which don’t meet <em>Microsoft’s</em> strict hardware-requirements, and so cannot upgrade to it.</p><p><br></p><p>Given <em>Windows 10</em> could run on most-devices from the <em>Vista</em> era upwards, but <em>11</em> only supports CPUs going back to, what, 2018 at the oldest, it should come as no-surprise to them that things are slowing-down. Forcing the purchase of new PCs during a widening "cost-of-living-crisis" may also prove to not be a good-look, either…</p>
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hrlngrv
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Some people who could upgrade won’t because they view Windows 11 as a downgrade from Windows 10. Some other people would upgrade if their current PCs met MSFT’s hardware requirements for Windows 11.</p><p><br></p><p>Whatever, anyone who wants Windows 11 on PCs which meet its hardware requirements probably has it by now, and everyone else will either get it on new PCs over the next few years or join the cadre of today’s Windows 7 and Windows XP users. It ain’t gonna be on half of all Windows PCs by year-end 2022.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Just to provide some additional information I don’t usually see mentioned here: the <em>AdDuplex</em> survey is not just "5,000 <em>Windows Store</em> apps" (which makes it sound like randomly-selected ones) but "5,000 <em>Microsoft Store</em> apps which feature adverts that are served from AdDuplex servers". Other websites, such as <em>Ars Technica </em>and <em>The Register,</em> usually do make this clear.</p><p><br></p><p>Also, is it "Windows Store" and not "Microsoft Store"? The app on my <em>Windows 10</em> device is named the latter, though I would agree that "Windows Store" would make more-sense, as where-else does the store exist (aside from <em>Xbox </em>maybe?), given they don’t have their own smartphones anymore?</p>
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Rallicat
Log in to Reply<p>I’d love to upgrade my main PC to 11, but it’s one CPU generation too old! The machine is otherwise fast, and perfectly serviceable. I’ll be keeping it as-is until Windows 10 goes fully EoS.</p>
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hrlngrv
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Growth is due to new PCs which come with Windows 11 preinstalled, the early adopters already have it, and maybe no one else is interested.</p><p><br></p><p>Given comments by MSFT itself that there’s so little difference between Windows 11 and Windows 10 under the hood, most of what Windows 11 offers is aesthetics. For those not lusting for the new aesthetics, are Snap Groups worth the loss of a full-function taskbar? Maybe 80% of Windows users have answered <strong><em>No</em></strong>. More likely, Windows 11 just doesn’t provide enough to be worth the bother of upgrading from Windows 10, or MSFT’s new hardware requirements guarantee slow uptake.</p>
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sadsteve
Log in to Reply<p>Actually, things like desktop animations, snap and translucency are things I disable when I install Windows. So with the degradation of the task bar, Windows 11 has a negative appeal for me. I’m sticking with 10 until EoS even though my processor is compatible with 11.</p>
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johnnych
Log in to Reply<p>@Paul – what I can’t understand about the Windows world is this intense focus on market share numbers. At the end of the day, what or why does it matter which version of Windows people are running and using? </p><p><br></p><p>I’m just trying to understand this concept because over in the Mac world, no one really cares which version of OS X people are running as most people upgrade when they get the chance and if Apple really screws something up in a release they generally get enough feedback quickly to try and fix the important issues. </p><p><br></p><p>Why is this type of focus different for Microsoft? Thanks for the content!</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Because (though the lines may have blurred somewhat over-the-years), <em>Apple</em> is primarily a <em>hardware-focused </em>company (as they don’t sell <em>iOS</em>, <em>iPadOS</em> or <em>macOS</em> to anyone else, you only get it on their devices), whereas <em>Microsoft </em>remains primarily a <em>software-focused </em>company (as outside of <em>Xbox</em>, there isn’t much-else they sell that you could call "mainstream": <em>Surface </em>remains a premium niche, and I highly-doubt their PC peripherals, such as mice, keyboards and webcams, brings-in that much).</p><p><br></p><p>So, your answer, in-short is: <em>Windows </em>is relevant to <em>Microsoft</em>, as it is a software-product and (mostly through corporate licencing) brings in a lot of money. <em>macOS</em> isn’t as significant to <em>Apple</em>, given they don’t even charge for it thesedays, it’s just included on any Mac you buy. Same-logic as to why they report how-many <em>Xbox</em>, <em>PS5</em> and <em>Switch</em> consoles have sold, but not what firmware each is on. It’s just not relevant data to really care about… users don’t pay separately for the OS.</p>
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johnnych
Log in to Reply<p>Thank you for the reply, it makes sense. I just think that there’s this like overall groove that Microsoft is stuck where every other version of Windows is like good/bad. 95-ME (bad), NT/XP (good), Vista (bad), 7 (good), 8 (bad), 10 (good), 11 (???). People get too wrapped up in the numbers each and every release and try to judge and analyze its outcome as to whether the reception is good or bad…</p><p><br></p><p>When’s the last time someone actually purchased Windows directly as a product?</p><p>I think most people just get whatever is available on the latest pc they bought but if its truly bad then they try to downgrade or install something else in the mean time I guess… I dunno I’m just rambling on now 🙂 </p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>It’s obviously subject to each person’s own opinion, but the generalised view usually goes: 95=good, 98=bad, 98SE=good, Me=bad, XP=good, Vista=bad, 7=good, 8=bad, 10=good. NT and 2000 don’t usually enter into it, as the focus is on the consumer-orientated releases, and NT and 2000 were both targeted at businesses (though 2000=good is usually the view). As-such, people say <em>11</em> will likely be bad, if that perceived trend continues.</p><p><br></p><p>As for <strong>when did anyone last pay for a copy of Windows</strong>, the answer is either: when you purchased a device, as the cost of a <em>Windows</em> licence is included on all PCs it comes pre-installed on; or for large companies, they will have agreements with Microsoft to purchase a certain-number of copies of <em>Windows </em>(usually the <em>Pro</em> or <em>Enterprise</em> editions) via "volume-licencing". For regular home-users, I’d say <em>Windows 7</em> was likely the last-time, as many avoided <em>Windows 8</em>; <em>Windows 10</em> was made-available as a free-update for anyone on <em>Windows 7</em> or <em>8; </em>as is <em>Windows 11</em> now for eligible <em>Windows 10 </em>devices.</p><p><br></p><p>So <em>Windows 7</em> is likely the last, boxed retail-version any "home-user" or "small-business" likely purchased, I’d imagine.</p>
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WaltC
Log in to Reply<p>Not surprising…it’s not ready for prime time–and I’m running advanced Beta builds–22598.200 atm. It is very unclear what Microsoft is doing with Win11 so far. Why the company feels it must start all over again whenever it launches a new OS version beats me. I’ve never understood it. I would have thought Microsoft learned its lesson with Win8 disaster. I’m not unhappy with Win11, but I’m not entranced by it, either. More of a "yawn"…</p>
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straker135
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>And yet Windows 11 seems to work just fine on an old Surface Pro 4. This is now a 6 year old device with a 6th generation Core i5 6300U processor. Does the basic things needed without evident slow down from Windows 10. </p><p><br></p><p>I understand there are supposed to be security advances and that the Pro 4 ‘may not receive updates’ but to the extent that the penetration of Windows 11 matters at all, Microsoft’s seemingly arbitrary choice will prevent uptake at any more than their proportion of the 300 plus million new PCs sold each year. Does anyone really care? We buy hardware for the tech specs and price rather than software most of the time anyway dont we? </p>
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bmcdonald
Log in to Reply<p>It’s quite clear from the direction these numbers seem to be going that folks are just fine with Win 10 right now. And I do agree that with inflation out of control, supply chain issues still reeking havoc and some folks simply trying to make sure they have gas in the car – seems like buying a new PC and especially one with a totally unnecessary OS upgrade – is not a high priority for anyone right now.</p><p><br></p><p>Windows 10 21H2 is about a rock solid as any Windows version I have ever seen – I see no point in changing anything until the world finally starts to settle down (if that’s even possible right now)</p><p><br></p><p>Cheers</p><p><br></p><p>B</p>
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yaddamaster
Log in to Reply<p>I have six windows pc’s in my house that have the horsepower to run Win11. But MS’s foolish requirements preclude that possibility.</p><p><br></p><p>As each pc dies we’ll replace with an apple device. Might keep one around for legacy apps like Visio.</p>
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rboxman
Log in to Reply<p>It’s certainly not running on 20% of the 1.2 billion windows devices out there. All this is saying is that 20% of people running ad filled store apps have also found themselves on win11. This is saying more the general intelligence of those folks than anything else.</p><p><br></p><p>The real sad part is that SV2 is going to lead to a further, undeserved, boost when it will still not be ready. Win11 shouldn’t be supported, celebrated, or encouraged right now. Maybe next year, not this year.</p>
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melinau
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Horses for courses. I use W11 at home & it seems OK after a year or so. In a commercial context the potential complexity of trying a rollout to tens, hundreds (or thousands) of slightly disparate devices, not all of which will "upgrade" seamlessly would make me think twice.</p>
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spiderman2
Log in to Reply<p>Bloate with too much slow and heavy web tech</p>
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Rob_Wade
Log in to Reply<p>Well, I just think Windows 11 is horrible in ever way. Windows 10 was a downgrade from Windows 8, and Windows 11 is a downgrade from Windows 10. Fire Nadella. Fire the design team. They’re making garbage, as far as I’m concerned.</p>
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sonichedgehog360
Log in to Reply<p>> Windows 10 was a downgrade from Windows 8</p><p><br></p><p>I think you got that seriously flipped around there. Windows 10 was an upgrade from Windows 8.</p>
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ontariopundit
Log in to Reply<p>You might just be the only person to have ever written that Windows 10 was a downgrade from Windows 8. Even when Windows 10 was new with all its teething pains it was a dramatic improvement over the Start menu less Windows 8.0. Even 8.1 was worse than Windows 7 or Windows 10.</p>
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ontariopundit
Log in to Reply<p>From everything I’ve seen Windows 11 is yet another Windows 8.0 moment. An attempt to differentiate 11 from 10 by making arbitrary changes.</p><p><br></p><p>The one thing I can understand is the need to finally ditch support for obsolete two decades old applications.</p>
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rycott
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I do wonder how much longer it will be till the ease the arbitrary restrictions on the CPU generation so they can pump up the usage numbers.</p>
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ontariopundit
Log in to Reply<p>I don’t think they will change the requirements. They likely decided from the beginning that they were going to maintain two (largely the same) operating systems concurrently until 2025.</p><p><br></p><p>Windows 11 offers a chance to break from the past. Windows 10 now still supports applications that haven’t been updated in nearly a quarter century. This is simply a waste of resources. Get rid of dead wood. Apple has switched architectures twice in the past twenty years without too many headaches. They’ve also had far fewer serious security headaches than Microsoft in those same two decades.</p><p><br></p><p>By the time mainstream support for Windows 10 ends eight years old computers will be "officially" supported. Computers from 2014 are now pretty long in the tooth. It’ll be similar in 2025.</p><p><br></p><p>Besides, if you really want to you can run Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.</p><p><br></p>
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jg1170
Log in to Reply<p>Windows 11 looks like yet another downgrade. Looks like I will be clinging onto Windows 8.1.1 until it can go no more and then switching over to Linux.</p>