According to official figures recently shared by Microsoft, Windows may have lost around 400 million users over the last three years. The number of devices running Windows 10 or 11 has dropped from over 1.4 billion to over one billion.
Although the figures were not presented with full accuracy, and there may be significant discrepancies in the exact scale of the decline, it is clear that there has been a general and gradual decline in interest towards traditional PCs.
What Happened to the Lost Users?
However, the users who abandoned Windows have not switched to macOS. Sales data from Apple do not support this theory. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that smartphones and tablets, which are becoming more powerful and versatile, have benefited the most from this situation.
The only two groups that have remained loyal to PCs are gamers and professionals who use software exclusive to Windows. However, with the rise of cloud gaming and handheld devices, even these groups might see changes in the near future.
Is This a Dangerous Situation for Microsoft?
Many industry experts believe that the end of support for Windows 10 is one of the main reasons behind this user loss. Many users refused to upgrade to Windows 11 for various reasons, despite knowing that they would no longer receive updates.
For Microsoft, this is clearly a very dangerous situation. The company’s near-monopoly in the operating system market has always been a vital asset, and losing it could have devastating consequences for the company.
