Windows 11 hits 71.5% as Windows 10 support costs jump

Windows 11 now runs on more than 70% of Windows PCs worldwide, according to Statcounter tracking. This marks a sharp rise as users quit Windows 10, whose security updates just doubled in price for business customers to $122 per computer for the second year. The update fees will double again in 2027. Microsoft extended free security updates for consumers, but most organizations are paying—or moving on. Expect Windows 10 to linger mainly on older, incompatible machines.

• Windows 11 now at 71.5% market share
• Windows 10 security update cost is $122 per device this year
• That cost doubles each year, reaching $244 in the third year
• Free security updates for consumers run until October 2027
• Older hardware keeps some users on Windows 10