After nearly four years on the market, Windows 11 has officially surpassed Windows 10 as Microsoft’s most widely used operating system. According to Statcounter data, it now powers over half of all Windows PCs worldwide, marking a significant milestone in Microsoft’s push toward modernisation.Adoption has been a slow burn. When Windows 11 launched in 2021, uptake was sluggish, and as recently as 2023, fewer than a third of Windows devices were running the new OS. Many businesses have delayed migration due to hardware compatibility issues, device refresh cycles, and concerns over the potential disruption of large-scale rollouts.However, momentum is building ahead of a critical deadline. On 14 October 2025, Windows 10 will reach its official end of life, meaning it will no longer receive regular security updates. Although Microsoft plans to offer paid Extended Security Updates (ESUs), this option has sparked debate among enterprises weighing cost versus risk.Steve Prescott-Jones, Managed Services Director at UBDS Digital, warns that delaying migration could expose organisations to heightened vulnerabilities.“Without these updates, businesses may also face operational inefficiencies and compliance challenges that could disrupt day-to-day activities,” he explains.With ransomware, malware, and supply-chain attacks on the rise, remaining on unsupported systems presents a growing threat to both cybersecurity and compliance. For many organisations, the transition to Windows 11 is no longer just a technology upgrade—it’s a strategic move to ensure operational resilience and long-term security.
