Microsoft Says 500 Million PCs Can Upgrade to Windows 11 But Users Aren’t Interested

Microsoft Says 500 Million PCs Can Upgrade to Windows 11 But Users Aren’t Interested Windows users are upgrading to Windows 11 much more slowly than expected. Even though Microsoft officially ended mainstream… TechCity

Science/Technology Dec 1, 2025 0 5 Add to Reading List

Windows users are upgrading to Windows 11 much more slowly than expected. Even though Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for Windows 10, the older operating system remains extremely popular among both consumers and businesses.

According to Dell, nearly 500 million PCs are fully capable of upgrading to Windows 11 but have not made the switch. Dell’s COO, Jeffrey Clarke, mentioned the figure during the company’s Q3 earnings call, noting that many users are simply choosing to stay on Windows 10 despite having compatible hardware.

Clarke also added that there are another 500 million PCs that cannot run Windows 11 at all due to Microsoft’s strict hardware requirements—mainly the need for newer processors and TPM 2.0 security support. These requirements left millions of devices sold over the last decade unable to upgrade.

Why Are Users Still Sticking to Windows 10?

Windows 10 has remained surprisingly “sticky,” even after reaching the end of support. Here’s why:

Familiarity: Many users prefer the interface and stability of Windows 10.
Strict hardware requirements: Millions of PCs can’t upgrade without buying new hardware.
No urgent need: For many people, Windows 10 still works perfectly fine.
Slow business adoption: Companies generally upgrade operating systems at a slower pace, especially when the older version still supports their workflow.

This has caused the transition to Windows 11 to move much slower compared to the rapid shift from Windows 8/7 to Windows 10 years ago.

Microsoft’s Numbers Don’t Fully Match

Last week, Microsoft’s Windows chief Pavan Davuluri said that “nearly a billion people rely on Windows 11.” However, Microsoft did not clarify what “rely on” means. It could refer to daily active users, install base, or general ecosystem reach. Traditionally, Microsoft provided clear monthly device usage numbers, but that hasn’t happened recently.

Meanwhile, Dell’s numbers give a clearer picture: