Microsoft faces a serious problem right now, and perhaps it’s one the company didn’t fully expect to grow this large. The official end of free support for Windows 10 arrived on October 14, 2025, a date that should have nudged almost everyone toward Windows 11 without much hesitation. But that isn’t what happened. Data from November 2025 shows that even though Windows 11 has finally inched past its predecessor, a substantial 42 percent of desktop users worldwide are still holding on to Windows 10. And they’re not staying there out of laziness. They’re staying because Windows 11 seems to overlook what people genuinely want. Instead of addressing long standing frustrations like the rigid taskbar or the increasingly intrusive ads, Microsoft leaned heavily into controversial AI additions such as Recall. This has created a trust gap that alternatives like Linux are quietly stepping in to fill.
Key Takeaways:
• Windows 10 still holds roughly 42 percent of the global market share despite reaching its end of life in October 2025.
• Linux gaming usage on Steam hit a record 3 percent in October 2025, driven by the success of the Steam Deck.
• Users list strict hardware requirements, forced Microsoft accounts, and intrusive ads as top reasons for avoiding Windows 11.
• Microsoft now charges consumers 30 dollars for Extended Security Updates (ESU) to keep Windows 10 safe for another year.
The resistance to upgrading has become more noticeable than what we saw in previous cycles. Dell Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Clarke recently pointed out that the shift to is lagging 10 to 12 points behind the pace of the old move to Windows 10. And when you hear that, it becomes clear this hesitation isn’t random. It mostly comes down to two things that people care about more than Microsoft may have realized: hardware and control.
Microsoft took a firm stance with the Trusted Platform Module, or TPM 2.0, requirement. This single rule turned millions of completely capable PCs into what some users now see as premature electronic waste. Those systems cannot upgrade officially, no matter how well they still run. For people who can upgrade, the experience sometimes feels restricted in subtle but frustrating ways. Windows 11 makes using a local offline account unnecessarily difficult, pushing many people into the broader Microsoft ecosystem whether they want that or not. Even simple things, like moving the taskbar to the side of the screen, a small detail that many power users relied on, vanished or now require third party tools to restore. It’s a bit disorienting, especially if you’ve used Windows for decades.
Privacy fears are another major factor, especially surrounding Microsoft’s push for Recall. Throughout 2024 and 2025, the company promoted this AI tool that constantly captures screenshots of your activity to help you find things later. Security experts quickly labeled it a privacy disaster. And even though Microsoft eventually delayed the feature and made it opt in with encryption, the initial rollout had already left its mark. For many, Recall became a symbol of what Microsoft seems to misunderstand about its own user base. People want something faster and cleaner. Instead, they got a feature that feels a little too close to surveillance for comfort. This emphasis on AI, rather than on basic usability, is enough to keep a lot of people on Windows 10, even if that means paying for security updates.
Linux is becoming a realistic option in a way that felt unlikely not too long ago. For decades it was considered something mainly for tech experts who enjoyed tweaking their systems. But Valve’s Steam Deck changed that perception for many. The handheld console runs on SteamOS, a Linux based system, and it proves you can play modern games without relying on Windows. In October 2025, Linux usage on Steam finally passed the 3 percent mark. That number might look small on paper, but it represents millions of gamers who now realize they don’t actually need Microsoft to play the titles they enjoy.
And as Microsoft continues adding more ads into areas like the Start menu and the Settings app, the ad free experience offered by most Linux distributions begins to look more appealing. If Microsoft keeps prioritizing data collection and ad revenue over user experience, that 3 percent could slowly evolve into something far more significant. It’s not a dramatic shift yet, but it’s certainly a meaningful one.
Windows 10 users now face a difficult decision. They can upgrade to Windows 11 if their PC happens to be compatible. They can switch to a different system entirely. Or they can pay to stay safe. Microsoft’s consumer Extended Security Updates plan costs 30 dollars for the first year, keeping Windows 10 protected until October 2026. Still, the idea of paying what feels like a yearly rent to continue using a computer you already own leaves many people understandably frustrated.
Microsoft needs to take this feedback seriously. If the company wants to win over the remaining holdouts, it will have to slow down on the unwanted features and refocus on what users have been asking for all along. Control. Simplicity. And perhaps a bit of trust restored through actions rather than assumptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why did Windows 10 support end?
A. Microsoft follows a standard lifecycle policy for its software. Windows 10 was released in 2015, and the company ended mainstream support on October 14, 2025, to focus resources on developing and maintaining Windows 11.
Q. Can I still use Windows 10 after October 2025?
A. Yes, your computer will still work. However, it will no longer receive free security updates from Microsoft. This makes it more vulnerable to viruses and malware unless you pay for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) plan.
Q. How much does the Windows 10 Extended Security Update cost?
A. For individual consumers, Microsoft charges $30 for the first year of extended updates. This coverage lasts until October 2026. You can also get these updates for free for one year if you enroll in the Windows Backup service with a Microsoft Account.
Q. Is it safe to switch to Linux for gaming?
A. Yes, for many people. Thanks to the “Proton” compatibility layer used by the Steam Deck, thousands of Windows games run smoothly on Linux today. However, some competitive online games with strict anti-cheat software may still have issues.
Q. What are the main hardware requirements for Windows 11?
A. To install Windows 11 officially, your PC needs a compatible 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, Secure Boot capability, and a TPM 2.0 chip. Most PCs made before 2018 do not meet these specific CPU and TPM requirements.
