- Nearly 500 million compatible PCs remain in use Windows 10 despite the end of official support.
- Another 500 million pieces of equipment, over four years old, do not meet the requirements to run Windows 11.
- In Spain, around half of desktop computers still use Windows 10.
- The slow transition opens up security risks and problems of obsolescence and electronic waste.
The end of support Windows 10 It hasn't triggered the stampede to Windows 11 that Microsoft expected. As of today, it's estimated that approximately 500 million compatible computers Even with the latest version of the operating system, many users still haven't updated to Windows 11 and continue running outdated software. For those unsure whether to keep their installation or upgrade, here's a guide on... upgrade to Windows 11 can help you decide.
This huge group of teams joins another group of approximately 500 million computers that simply cannot run Windows 11 because hardware limitationsBetween resistance to change and technical incompatibility, close to one billion PCs They have been stuck on Windows 10, even though official support ended on October 14th.
End of Windows 10 support: what has really changed
From the October 14Microsoft stopped offering security updatessoftware patches and technical support for Windows 10 in its standard lifecycle. This means that computers still using this operating system continue to function, but become progressively more vulnerable to viruses, Trojans, and other threats that can exploit uncorrected flaws.
In practice, many users and companies have opted for ignore update notifications or postpone the migration. Some do it out of habit—they find Windows 10 stable and sufficient—and others because They don't want to complicate things. with a system change that they perceive as unnecessary or risky for their daily work. The problem of untimely update notifications influences that decision.
It is worth remembering that, even if the system starts up normally, an unsupported Windows 10 It is gradually becoming an easier target for cyberattacks. This risk is especially critical in business environments and public administrations, where a security incident can have serious consequences.
Specific extended support programs exist for certain business customers, but for the average home user The reality is simple: your Windows 10 PC no longer receives standard protection, even though Microsoft continues to focus its efforts on pushing the adoption of Windows 11 and new feature-rich PCs. Artificial Intelligence.
The 500 million who can upgrade but don't want to
The fact that most worries the industry is that there are some 500 millones of ordenadores that Yes, they meet the Windows 11 requirements But its owners have decided to stick with Windows 10. The figure comes from Jeffrey ClarkeDell's Chief Operating Officer outlined this scenario during the presentation of the third quarter financial results.
Clarke explained that, within an installed base of approximately 1.500 billion PCs with Windows Worldwide, a large third remain on an unsupported version despite the possibility of making the jump. This voluntary resistance This translates into a much slower adoption of Windows 11 than happened with its predecessor.
According to the executive's calculations, the penetration of Windows 11 is between 10 and 12 points below. than Windows 10 achieved at the same point in its lifecycle. In other words, the current transition is clearly lagging behind the pace Microsoft achieved a decade ago, when the changeover from previous versions was much faster.
Among the reasons, several factors are at play: some users believe that Windows 10 is sufficient For their daily use, others are wary of potential performance or compatibility issues, and many simply They don't see any clear advantages in taking the leap, beyond a different interface and some new features that they do not perceive as essential.
Another 500 million blocked by hardware
To that half a billion compatible devices that are resisting, we must add another 500 million computers with more than four years of age that They cannot run Windows 11 for not meet the minimum requirementsIn many cases, these devices produce errors or incompatibilities that require specific solutions, as explained in guides for troubleshoot installation errors.
The main barrier is marked by requirements such as the presence of TPM 2.0 and certain relatively recent processors. In practice, many computers still function correctly for office tasks, web browsing, or even professional work. They are excluded from the official update..
This decision has generated considerable unease among advanced users and system administrators, who see how a hardware still useful They are left without the official possibility of making the leap. Some have opted for alternative methods to install Windows 11 on unsupported devices, while others prefer to stick with Windows 10 until it is no longer viable or consider alternative systems such as Linux.
The result is a huge fragmentation of the computer infrastructureSome users cannot upgrade even if they want to, others do not want to upgrade even if they can, and a third group is already on Windows 11. For Microsoft, coordinating this transition and maintaining the security of such a diverse ecosystem has become a top priority.
From the perspective of manufacturers like Dell, this situation represents a “bottleneck” that, in the medium term, could translate into salesIn theory, all those hardware-locked systems will become potential new PC purchases, especially with the arrival of the so-called AIPC and portable with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.
Spain and Europe: high loyalty to Windows 10
If we ground the data in our environment, the picture in Spain and Europe Nor does it indicate a massive migration. Various measurements based on web analytics services, such as StatCounter, show that around half of the desktop computers in Spain They continue to use Windows 10, while Windows 11 is clearly moving into a secondary position.
Depending on the month and the source, it is estimated that Windows 11 accounts for about a third of the market share within the global Windows ecosystem, but in Spain its implementation is more lowIn other words, of every 10 PCs with a Microsoft system in our country, approximately 5 continue with Windows 10, 3 or fewer have made the jump to Windows 11, and the rest are divided between older or alternative versions.
This behavior makes sense when considering factors such as cost of renewing the equipmentThe price crisis that components have experienced in recent years and the widespread feeling that "if the computer is working well, why change it" have led many small and medium-sized businesses and households to prioritize getting the most out of their current hardware.
In much of Western Europe the situation is similar: the Windows 11 adoption curve is progressing, but a moderate paceFar from the relatively rapid transition that occurred with Windows 10, countries with a larger corporate sector and more planned upgrades show some dynamism, but the bulk of the market remains stuck on the previous version.
This slowness in the update leaves millions of European computers exposed to the same security risks as the rest of the world. Regulatory bodies and agencies ciberseguridad They have been warning for some time about the need to keep systems updatedHowever, economic realities and technological inertia weigh heavily on the final decision of users and companies.
Business opportunity… and a mountain of electronic waste
For the PC industry, this gigantic base of unupdated equipment is perceived as a business opportunityJeffrey Clarke himself spoke of "rich opportunities" to boost the replacement of Windows 10 computers with modern devices with Windows 11 and integrated artificial intelligence capabilities.
However, the other side of the coin is the environmental impact. Several independent analyses warn that the inability to upgrade a significant part of the park could lead to a wave of electronic waste unprecedented. A study by Canalys, for example, estimated that the accelerated obsolescence associated with the end of Windows 10 could generate hundreds of thousands of tons of waste equivalent to hundreds of thousands of cars.
This situation also puts pressure on the official discourse of the major technology companies. Organizations such as Public Interest Research Groups They have pointed out that decisions such as limiting hardware requirements so strictly clash with the environmental objectives which companies like Microsoft claim to be pursuing.
Beyond the debates about sustainability, the economic outlook isn't as optimistic as it might seem for manufacturers. Although they see in that billion outdated PCs a future source of sales, Dell's own forecasts indicate that PC market it will remain practically flat
In other words, the technical and safety need is there, but Real demand is moving slowlyHome users keep their equipment as long as it works, many companies stretch their renewal cycles to the maximum, and only certain segments—such as large corporations or institutions with stricter cybersecurity policies—are accelerating the replacement of their computers.
A Windows 11 that doesn't quite convince
Alongside the economic and hardware factors, there is another element that explains why 500 million compatible computers are not being updated: Windows 11 has not completely won over usersAlthough it introduces visual improvements and new features, some in the community perceive the change as more cosmetic than essential.
Some users complain that the system consumes more resources than Windows 10, which on low-end systems can translate into a less smooth experience. The company itself has had to address various performance and compatibility issues through updates, which also does not help to build trust in those who are hesitant to make the switch.
Furthermore, the commitment to integrate artificial intelligence functions , the Copilot The advanced analytical features have generated mixed reactions. While they may be helpful for certain professional profiles, for others they raise concerns. questions about privacy and a certain rejection, especially when it is perceived that these functions are being pushed very aggressively.
The combination of strict requirements, a perception of increased resource consumption, and a highly focused approach to IA This leads many users to view Windows 11 as a unattractive jumpUltimately, many believe that if their Windows 10 is stable, compatible with their programs, and relatively secure—at least in the short term—it's not worth changing until there's no other option.
At the same time, in certain niches there is growing interest in alternatives like LinuxThis is especially true among those with computers that no longer meet the official Windows 11 requirements but are still perfectly usable for everyday tasks. While this represents a minority globally, it's a sign that a segment of the user base is considering alternatives to Microsoft's approach.
With all this context, the fact that Half a billion fully compatible PCs will remain on Windows 10 It's not just a matter of laziness: it's the result of a complex mix of technical, economic, and product perception decisions. Meanwhile, another 500 million computers are being left out of the game due to pure hardware limitations, creating a scenario where the Windows 11 upgrade is progressing, but at a much slower and more erratic pace than the industry anticipated.
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