windows 7 Sees Unexpected Resurgence as Windows 10 Support Ends
Paris, France – In a surprising turn of events, as Microsoft officially ends free security updates for Windows 10 on October 14th, data reveals a notable and unexpected rise in the usage of Windows 7. While Windows 11 has now surpassed Windows 10 in market share, the nearly decade-old Windows 7 is experiencing a remarkable comeback, sparking questions about user behavior and the ongoing transition within the Windows ecosystem.
According to data from StatCounter, Windows 11 achieved a lead over Windows 10 in July, and the gap widened in September to 50.74% market share for Windows 11 versus 43.09% for Windows 10. However, Windows 7’s market share climbed from 2.02% in july to 5.2% in September – an increase of over 100% in just two months.
Launched in 2009 and officially unsupported since 2020, the resurgence of Windows 7 is a notable anomaly.StatCounter cautions that its data is based on traffic from over 1.5 billion websites and may contain biases, suggesting the increase could be due to altered tracking rather than a genuine shift in user preference. Still, the trend is raising eyebrows as some users continue to resist upgrading to windows 11.
Microsoft is leveraging the end of Windows 10 support to promote its new “Copilot+ PCs,” a generation of AI-enhanced computers. the company is now advising Windows 10 users considering an upgrade to purchase a new machine rather than simply updating their existing system, with a particular focus on models featuring ARM processors.Microsoft highlights the expanding ecosystem of ARM applications, claiming native versions are now available for software representing 90% of average user time, offering improved performance and battery life without relying on the PRISM compatibility layer for X86 applications.
However, a key challenge remains in the gaming sector, where compatibility with popular titles – particularly those with anti-tamper systems – remains limited. Microsoft is pointing to collaborations with publishers like Epic Games, who are working to bring Fortnite to ARM-based Copilot+ PCs, but wider adoption will require significant developer and publisher support.
