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Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 11, surpasses its predecessor, Windows 10, at a strategically advantageous moment for the tech giant.

Global Dominance Achieved: Windows 11 Surpasses Windows 10 as the Preeminent Desktop Operating System Worldwide, According to Statcounter Data

Microsoft's latest OS, Windows 11, surpasses its predecessor, Windows 10, at a convenient juncture...
Microsoft's latest OS, Windows 11, surpasses its predecessor, Windows 10, at a convenient juncture for the tech giant.

Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 11, surpasses its predecessor, Windows 10, at a strategically advantageous moment for the tech giant.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the shift from Windows 10 to Windows 11 has been a significant event. However, many PCs, particularly in various markets, do not meet the stricter hardware requirements for Windows 11, such as the TPM 2.0 requirement. This has led to a predicament for some users who are unable to upgrade.

As of the current data, Windows 11 holds 52% of the desktop market, while Windows 10 has dropped to 44.6%. For users of Windows 10 who cannot upgrade to Windows 11 after the official end-of-support deadline on October 14, 2025, there are several options available.

One such option is Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10. This program provides security updates beyond the end-of-support date for a fee, approximately $30 USD. This helps keep current PCs protected if they cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations.

Another option, though not officially supported, is bypassing Windows 11 installation requirements through unofficial workarounds or modified Windows 11 versions. However, these methods may involve risks such as stability or security issues and are not endorsed by Microsoft.

Upgrading hardware or PC to meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 is the most straightforward way to continue using Microsoft-supported Windows versions with full security and feature updates.

For older PCs that cannot realistically upgrade to Windows 11, lightweight and secure alternative OS options such as certain Linux distributions can provide ongoing usability for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing.

Microsoft also promotes cloud PC solutions like Windows 365, allowing users to access Windows 11 through the cloud on older devices, providing another pathway without needing to upgrade hardware.

The TPM 2.0 requirement for Windows 11 has been a point of contention, as it prevents some devices from upgrading. Critics argue that this requirement serves as a strategy to drive hardware sales, as it forces users to upgrade their devices or purchase new ones to meet the requirement.

Despite this, you'll still find plenty of machines running Windows 10, and some still using Windows 7, even in markets like Zimbabwe. Microsoft's offer of extended security updates for Windows 10, while not free, provides an alternative for those unable to upgrade to Windows 11.

In summary, if upgrading to Windows 11 on your current hardware is not feasible, the best-supported options after Windows 10’s end of support in 2025 are purchasing the Extended Security Updates program for additional protection, transitioning to newer compatible hardware, adopting alternative operating systems, or using cloud-based Windows 11 services.

  1. Despite many PCs not meeting the hardware requirements for Windows 11, technology like cloud-based Windows 11 services, such as Windows 365, allows users to access Windows 11 through the cloud on older devices, providing another pathway without upgrading hardware.
  2. For older PCs that cannot realistically upgrade to Windows 11, lightweight and secure alternative operating systems, such as certain Linux distributions, can provide ongoing usability for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing, demonstrating the versatility of existing technology solutions.

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