The end of Windows dominance? 400 million users have left and are not coming back?!

From 1.4 billion to 1 billion – what happened?

According to data published by Microsoft, the Windows system is now installed on more than one billion active devices monthly. The company boasts about this number in the context of the upcoming end of support for Windows 10 (October 14, 2025). But three years ago, the same company reported 1.4 billion active devices running Windows 10 or 11. This means that in the meantime, 400 million users have abandoned Windows – and it's no coincidence that the company avoids talking about this openly.

Alternatives are Growing: macOS, Linux, and Smartphones

Why are users leaving? Some of them have switched to macOS, which has gained performance and popularity since Apple transitioned to its own processors (Apple Silicon). According to data from IDC and Canalys, Mac sales have increased, and their global market share now reaches 8.7–10.4%. Other users – including some state institutions like the state of Schleswig-Holstein, the Danish Ministry of Digitalization, and the French city of Lyon – are choosing Linux.

But the majority of people are simply stopping the use of Windows computers in favor of smartphones and tablets. Modern mobile devices are now sufficiently powerful to take over the daily functions of computers – especially among those who do not need specialized software.

Windows 11 faster? Yes, but not entirely fairly

Microsoft claims that Windows 11 runs 2.3 times faster than Windows 10. The problem is that the company did not test the systems on the same devices. Windows 10 was run on older laptops with Intel Core 6th, 8th, and 10th generation processors, while the tests for Windows 11 were conducted on hardware with the latest Intel Core 12th and 13th generation chips. Such a comparison is hard to consider reliable.

Time is running out, and users are hesitating

Microsoft is likely counting on many companies deciding to upgrade their systems to Windows 11 before October. However, average users may have a problem with this, especially if their current hardware does not meet the requirements of the new system. In the age of game streaming, web applications, and cloud work, more and more people may come to the conclusion that a Windows computer is no longer necessary for them – and Microsoft may have difficulty recovering them.