Microsoft is kicking off the new year with an aggressive strategy to encourage Windows 10 users to upgrade their operating systems, according to The Verge. This push is particularly focused on getting users to upgrade before October, when official support for Windows 10 will end.
Why it matters. Microsoft is facing a massive challenge in reducing the proportion of PCs still running Windows 10. Currently, 62% of users are on Windows 10, which means only 34% have upgraded to Windows 11. As such, the transition to Windows 11 has been slower than expected.
The plan. Microsoft’s strategy is built on two main pillars:
- The impending end of official support for Windows 10 in October.
- The exclusive availability of advanced AI features in Windows 11.
As the industry pivots toward AI to stimulate PC sales, AI advancements are a substantial part of Windows 11’s upgrade roadmap.
Reading between the lines. Microsoft is promoting 2025 as “the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh.” The company argues that upgrading your PC will be more important than replacing your phone or TV–products that have recently received more attention than PCs.
According to the company’s forecasts, based on IDC data, the outlook is quite optimistic:
- 80% of businesses plan to upgrade to Windows 11 in 2025.
- 70% of consumers will make the switch this year or next.
In-depth. Copilot+ PCs are at the forefront of this strategy. These machines feature NPUs that promise speeds up to five times faster than Windows from five years ago. Additionally, Microsoft claims they’re 58% faster than the M3 MacBook Air.
For those who are hesitant to upgrade but still want to maintain support, Microsoft offers an extra year of security updates for Windows 10 for $30. Although it only announced this alternative in October 2024, the company clearly prefers that users fully transition to Windows 11.
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Related | Microsoft Is Reverting to Its Old Ways: It's Forcing Users to Use OneDrive Installing Windows 11
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