Abu Zar Mishwani
After introducing Windows 11 in 2021, Microsoft has continuously improved and added new features to the operating system. Recent reports indicate that Windows 11 is now in use on over 400 million devices every month.
Predictions suggest that the current operating system is expected to achieve 500 million active devices by 2024. Notably, its adoption rate lags behind its predecessor, Windows 10, which reached 400 million active devices in just over a year after its launch.
According to information from Windows Central, which relies on Microsoft’s internal data, Windows 11 has already surpassed 400 million monthly active devices and is projected to reach 500 million by early 2024. It’s evident that Windows 11’s adoption rate is noticeably more gradual compared to its predecessor, Windows 10.
Nonetheless, the report highlights that Microsoft has maintained “modest” expectations for the Windows 11 user base, and the company has consistently exceeded these internal targets. Windows 11’s success in terms of its user base appears to have outperformed Microsoft’s initial projections.
Windows 11 was introduced in July 2021, featuring significant design alterations such as a fresh boot screen, startup sound, and enhanced widgets. Interestingly, it took Microsoft two years to attain 400 million monthly active devices with Windows 11.
In contrast, Windows 10, which was launched in June 2015, reached the 400 million monthly active device milestone in just over a year. Remarkably, Windows 10 achieved the milestone of 1 billion users by early 2020.
While Windows 10 was offered as a limited free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8 users, Windows 11 had stricter hardware prerequisites. It was exclusively supported on CPUs released from 2018 onward due to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) requirement. The relatively slow adoption rate of Windows 11 can be attributed to these stringent hardware requirements.
Windows 11 has undergone several recent updates, including the integration of Microsoft’s AI personal assistant, Copilot. Looking ahead, Microsoft is anticipated to unveil Windows 12 in 2024 as the next major iteration of the Windows operating system.