Windows 10 refuses to disappear And, against all odds, it is regaining users at the expense of Windows 11. Far from following the usual trend in which the latest version of the operating system steadily gains ground, the reality reflected in the statistics is quite different: some users are going back to an older, but more stable, version.
The situation is striking because Windows 10 stopped having standard support in October of 2025And yet it's gaining ground in the market. Available data suggests that many users, both individual and advanced, are choosing to reinstall or keep Windows 10 after trying Windows 11 and encountering recurring errors, impractical interface changes, and an integration of artificial intelligence features that hasn't quite convinced them.
Windows 10 regains market share while Windows 11 stagnates
The figures of Statcounter, one of the most cited operating system usage measurement firms, projects a trend reversal during the last months of 2025 that continues into early 2026. In October 2025, Windows 11 held around 55% of the global market shareWhile Windows 10 hovered around 41%. Two months later, the distribution had changed noticeably: Windows 11 had fallen to just over 50%, while Windows 10 had risen to over 44%.
In December, the data followed the same trend: Windows 11 stood at around 50,7% and Windows 10 reached approximately 44,6%.It's not a complete market reversal, but it is a clear sign that Windows 11's growth has slowed, and that a portion of the user base has decided to backtrack. It's especially significant that this increase isn't driven by new hardware sales, since almost all recent computers are sold with Windows 11 pre-installed.
What these percentages reflect is a internal transfer between Windows versionsThere is no massive influx of old, previously unused PCs, nor are there new corporate deployments with outdated systems. The most logical explanation is that some of those who were using Windows 11 have opted to migrate back to Windows 10, or even older versions, through reinstallations or downgrades deliberate.
Another striking fact is that Windows 7 has also seen a slight increase.reaching nearly 4% of the global market share. This isn't spectacular growth, but it's a movement difficult to justify by mere inertia: in 2026, nobody will be using Windows 7 by accident, so every additional percentage point implies conscious decisions to install or maintain an officially retired system.
Although Statcounter is not an official Microsoft source, and its metrics are based on web traffic samples, the trend extends for several consecutive monthsThis makes it unlikely that we're simply dealing with statistical noise. Three consecutive months of increases for Windows 10 and Windows 7, and a decrease for Windows 11, point more to a certain degree of market punishment towards the latest version of the operating system.
Problematic updates and an unpolished experience
Among the reasons that explain this movement, the perception that Windows 11 does not offer the same feeling of solidity than its predecessor. Initial criticisms arose regarding the stricter hardware requirements—with the mandatory TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and relatively recent processors—a series of updates has been added that, instead of improving the experience, have sometimes worsened it.
During the first part of 2026, one of the most important cumulative patches, intended to fix dozens of vulnerabilities in Windows 11, ended up introducing new flawsSome users encountered shutdown freezes, errors in graphical applications, and performance issues with everyday programs, including office tools and remote desktop software.
Even more serious, certain teams began to show the dreaded blue screen with boot errorsThis left several systems trapped in reboot loops that were difficult for the average user to resolve. While these incidents didn't affect the entire installed base, they significantly impacted the system's reliability, especially among those who had already been experiencing minor issues after previous updates.
To complicate matters further, Not all problems are limited to advanced usersSubsequent patches, released with the intention of stabilizing the platform, caused problems with basic functions such as the webcam, the lock screen, and certain login options. In an environment where many people work or study from home, encountering video calls that stop working or passwords that generate errors after a restart is no small matter.
Many of these updates arrive automatically, especially if the user has enabled the option to receive features in early stages. With hardly any margin of control or clear informationSome members of the public feel that the system changes too often and that each patch carries the risk of breaking something that worked correctly the day before.
Artificial intelligence and interface changes that fail to convince
Beyond the technical errors, another factor explaining this return to Windows 10 is the feeling that Windows 11 has prioritized the artificial intelligence integration Certain aesthetic changes have taken precedence over stability and usability. The redesigned Start menu, the taskbar with fewer customization options, and the increased presence of cloud services and advertising in the system have generated significant backlash from some members of the community.
Incorporation CopilotThe AI-based assistant, increasingly prevalent in Windows 11, has also fueled a debate about its true usefulness. Many users believe that these types of features don't solve real, everyday problems, while they do consume resources and add complexity. In Spain and other European countries, where concerns about digital privacy And since the processing of personal data is very present, the idea of ​​an operating system with more telemetry and more automation raises some concerns.
The clearest example of this clash has been the project Windows RecallA feature designed to continuously record what the user sees on the screen to allow for later searches of that activity. The proposal sparked considerable controversy, combining frequent desktop screenshots with concerns about the encryption of that data and the possibility of third-party access. Faced with the negative reaction, Microsoft has been forced to make this feature clearly optional and with a much more limited presence.
In parallel, the company has decided pause Copilot's aggressive expansion in some integrated applications, such as Notepad or Paint, and review whether all these integrations make practical sense. It's a first attempt to lessen the feeling that artificial intelligence was being forced into almost every corner of the system, even in tasks where the user neither asked for it nor needs it.
All of this adds to a change of direction that, according to Windows executives themselves, will involve prioritize performance, reliability, and overall experience rather than adding more layers of experimental features. On paper, the goal for 2026 is to regain some of the lost trust and reduce the noise generated by so many changes in such a short time.
The role of Windows 10: fewer new features, more peace of mind
Meanwhile Windows 10 has established itself as a kind of refuge For those who want a familiar and seamless environment. It doesn't offer groundbreaking features, nor does it boast AI integration at every turn, but that's precisely where its appeal lies for a significant portion of the user base. The system is well-known to both users and businesses, the applications behave predictably, and the interface has barely changed in recent years.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, many work teams They continue to run Windows 10, partly due to the inertia of large computer systems that don't upgrade overnight, and partly due to a certain caution when making the leap to a version that still faces criticism. Although standard support has ended, there is the possibility of opting for [further support]. paid extended support programsThis is something that many organizations consider a reasonable cost if it allows them to avoid having to redo workflows and internal tools.
In the domestic sphere, the story is somewhat different, but the result is similar: Users who upgraded to Windows 11 and have preferred to revert back after experiencing performance issues, incompatibilities with older software, or simply discomfort with the new interface. The so-called "rebound effect" is behind a large part of the market share redistribution figures shown in the studies.
Furthermore, the fact that Windows 10 run more smoothly on older computers This is an important argument. Not everyone upgrades their PC or laptop frequently, and the additional requirements of Windows 11 exclude a portion of the computer market that, on paper, still has plenty of life left. In this context, the idea of ​​maintaining a system that "just works" is quite tempting.
It is paradoxical that, in the midst of the rollout of new AI-based features and at a time when the industry is pushing towards increasingly connected experiences, some users are opting for a more classic, predictable and discreet systemBut that paradox sums up the current state of the Windows ecosystem well: innovation is not always perceived as an improvement if it comes with bugs, intrusiveness, or an unnecessary learning curve.
Microsoft's response: a change of priorities for 2026
Given this scenario, Microsoft has publicly admitted that Windows 11 is not living up to expectations on several key fronts. Pavan Davuluri, head of Windows and Devices, has acknowledged that the message received from the user and tester community is clear: the focus must be on improving the system in aspects that are truly important to people, starting with stability and performance.
The company has committed to review your roadmap The operating system should dedicate more resources to resolving persistent errors, optimizing core components like the file explorer, and simplifying certain areas of the interface. In theory, this means prioritizing the essentials before continuing to expand the list of features that are visible in advertisements but of little use in daily operations.
This shift in focus does not imply abandoning artificial intelligence, which remains one of Microsoft's strategic pillars, but it does mean slow down the pace of forced integration in all possible applications. The pause in the expansion of Copilot and the rethinking of controversial features like Windows Recall fit within this move, which seeks to prevent further damage to the image of Windows 11.
At the same time, the company is aware that The competition has gained visibilityIn the realm of PC gaming, solutions like the Linux-based SteamOS have demonstrated that it's possible to deliver quality experiences without relying on Windows, and some general-purpose distributions have significantly improved in performance and compatibility. While a perfect replacement that covers all common uses is still lacking, the mere existence of viable alternatives puts additional pressure on Microsoft.
In the professional scope, macOS remains a solid choice For many creative and office professionals, this is further strengthened by Apple's own hardware ecosystem. This combination, coupled with the visible discontent in forums, social media, and technical communities with the direction Windows 11 has taken, has forced the Redmond company to take note and promise more tangible changes than mere well-intentioned statements.
The big question now is whether these compromises will translate into tangible improvements for the average European and Spanish user: fewer bugs after each update, more stable performance on mid-range computers, and an interface that allows for comfortable work without being forced to live with unnecessary features. If this course correction comes in time, Windows 11 could redirect its trajectory and regain ground without having to push the user with warnings and reminders.
For now, the picture the data paints is clear: Windows 10 continues to gain users against Windows 11Even without standard support, many prioritize a robust and familiar environment over new features that haven't fully matured. The decision rests with Microsoft: either they ensure their latest version offers the same reliability as its predecessor, or they'll have to continue coexisting with an outdated system that refuses to be phased out.
