Reports have been circulating on tech sites that Windows has lost 400 million users over the past three years. However, those reports have been predicated on an incorrect assumption, and the fact is that Windows global usage has not decreased significantly at all.
The story being widely reported was based solely on a Microsoft faux pas. Back in 2022, Microsoft said in a blog post that more than 1.4 billion users were running Windows. Then, in a recent blog post, Microsoft casually mentioned that Windows was powering over 1.0 billion active devices. The assumption then being that Windows had lost 400 million users since 2022.
Microsoft has since clarified that the blog’s “over a billion” phrasing was simply an oversight and has now corrected that number from 1 billion to 1.4 billion.
I think it’s fair to assume that Windows would have lost some ground over the past 3 years, but not even close to 400 million. Furthermore, any decrease in Windows usage would, in my opinion, be down to users abandoning PCs rather than abandoning Windows.
- You also might like: How To Get 1 Year Windows 10 ESU For Free
Smartphones Taking over?
Today’s generation relies more on smartphones and tablets for their computing/online requirements, and let’s face it, these comparatively tiny mobile devices fulfill the basics more than adequately.
When my 15 grandchildren were in school, they all had PCs at home; now that they are adults, none have PCs with all relying solely on their smartphones. And I expect this trend away from PCs to accelerate as the new generation comes of age and smartphones continue to advance.
That said, PCs will always be in demand, at least for the foreseeable future, in work environments, for gamers, and for anyone with specialist requirements. Not to mention users of a certain age, who will never abandon their beloved PCs, yours truly included.
BOTTOM LINE:
No, Windows has not lost 400 million users during the past 3 years. Once again, tech sites have jumped on what they perceived as a potentially controversial topic, this time based on an assumption that proved to be way off base. Further proof, if needed, not to believe everything you read online.
Clickbait is king!
—
While MS Windows might not have lost 4*10^8 users over the last three years, over the same time span, the number of Linux user has grown for ~2.5% to ~5% of all PC operating systems. It is likely some of those new users came from Windows, particularly motivated by the imminent demise of Win 10.
Hey Adelaide.
I agree that some Windows users will have migrated to Linux but my information is that Linux usage has not increased by anywhere double.
Where did you get that information from, what is your source?
Yes Jim, the younger generations are heavily relying on the Smartphones replacing the need for PC’s.. But as mainframes are still being in use, and like you pointed out, “PCs will always be in demand, at least for the foreseeable future…”, I too will continue using PC’s, Mindblower!