I don’t think it takes a genius to predict that Windows 10 will still play a major role in desktop operating system market share for some time to come, almost certainly well past its end-of-support date in November.
We’ve witnessed similar situations in the past, notably with XP and Windows 7, although for very different reasons. XP and Windows 7 were both popular operating systems that were followed by abject failures, Vista and Windows 8 respectively.
The uptake of Vista and Windows 8 was extremely limited as users were reluctant to upgrade from their favorite operating systems to replacements that simply failed to meet expectations. The result in both cases was that XP and Windows 7 lived on well beyond their respective end-of-support-dates.
I can see the same eventuality for Windows 10 although, as I’ve already mentioned, for a very different reason. There are millions of relatively new PCs running Windows 10 that, due to Windows 11’s stringent requirements, cannot be upgraded which, when Windows 10 reaches end-of-support, leaves those users with two choices (this is assuming that those users want to continue running a Windows operating system):
- Buy a new PC that meets Windows 11’s requirements, or…
- Continue using Windows 10 beyond its end-of-support date
I cannot see too many users opting to fork out for a brand new traditional PC to replace an existing PC that is in perfect working order and satisfies their needs merely so they’re able to run Windows 11. Furthermore, we have to consider the eventual impact of Copilot+ PCs.
If/when Copilot+ PCs become the norm (which I believe is highly likely), those users who have purchased a new traditional PC replacement prior to November merely so they can run Windows 11 might eventually find themselves in a situation where once more they own an obsolete PC.
It would surely make more sense to hang on to those Windows 10 PCs until they are on their last legs and then look at purchasing a new Copilot+ PC down the track.
- You also might like: How To Safely Use Windows 10 Past End-Of-Support
BOTTOM LINE:
This is a very different situation to XP > Vista and Windows 7 > Windows 8. Despite a few minor hassles, particularly regarding UI elements, in my experience Windows 11 is a very good operating system.
It’s difficult to fathom that, while Microsoft is now aggressively prompting everyone to be running Windows 11, the company saw fit to eliminate millions of perfectly capable PCs from the upgrade path. It does not compute!
Then again, Microsoft is not exactly known for making clever decisions.
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Yeah, it’s a contradiction in terms. But I’ve seen over the years M$ morph into a virtual bully with their customer base, shoving features and function down our throats with little to no regard for opinions or feedback from said base.
Hey Tony,
Yep, that’s what happens when a single company becomes a monopoly.
I have two custom built desk tops and 2 laptops all built about the same time. All meet all the requirements except for the I7 being one generation too early. These were built with 32+ memory, high end graphics and large SSDs. But, to replace the MB and CPU would run about 1000USD plus the memory would need to be changed. Nothing these machines can’t do now that is available including Autocad and other intense software, but can’t load Whiney 11.
Please explain what Copilot + PC means.
At some point the Copilot icon appeared in the taskbar of my personal Windows 10 laptop. That icon does NOT appear on the taskbar of my work provided Windows 11 laptop.
Hey Tony,
Essentially, the only difference between a traditional PC and a Copilot+ PC is that the latter includes a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) which optimizes performance for AI components.
There is every probability that some features on your work PC are managed by an overall administrator who has disabled the Copilot feature via the Group Policy Editor.
I have a new laptop with WIndows 11, as my old one finally bit the dust. (HD Crash). My PC is W10 and is a high powered machine that I use for a lot of video editting and creation. I will not be retiring it for a long time. I have a high end scanner that is only compatible with Windows 7 so have a functional laptop set up for that purpose only. I don’t see much improvement in W11, ans some of the GUI “improvements” are questionable. The main improvement over my old laptop is in the hardware, SSD, memory speed and likely data bus immprovements.
I’m recommending 0patch for those wanting to stay with 10, or for better performance on older hardware, Linux Mint Mate.
So you’ve had experience using the 0patch service?
https://davescomputertips.com/how-to-safely-use-windows-10-past-end-of-support/