Microsoft Executive Vice President Yusuf Mehdi recently revealed in a blog post that Windows is now active on more than one billion devices worldwide. While this figure may initially seem significant, it marks a noticeable drop from earlier statistics.
As reported by ZDNET, Microsoft’s 2022 annual report showed that over 1.4 billion devices were running Windows 10 or 11 at that time. Since such reports are usually scrutinized by the company’s legal teams, the decline of approximately 400 million users over three years appears to be a credible shift.
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This downward trend sheds light on Microsoft’s intensified efforts to push users toward Windows 11. With support for older Windows versions gradually phasing out, the company is encouraging users to either upgrade their existing systems or invest in new PCs that support the latest OS.
Although Apple’s macOS—especially after the launch of Apple Silicon—has become a stronger competitor, it’s unlikely that all lost Windows users transitioned to Macs. In fact, Apple has also seen a downturn in Mac sales. Statista reported that by 2023, Macs had dropped to just 7.7% of Apple’s overall revenue, down from their previous dominance.
The shrinking Windows user base can be largely attributed to the global pivot toward mobile-first technology. With more people relying on smartphones and tablets for daily tasks, the need for desktop operating systems like Windows is steadily decreasing.
Further exacerbating the decline is Microsoft’s decision to impose stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11. Many users with older yet functional computers find themselves unable to upgrade, leading some to stay on unsupported versions or leave the Windows ecosystem altogether.
Additionally, Windows 11 has drawn criticism for its less intuitive interface compared to Windows 10. Users have expressed concerns about its growing resemblance to Apple’s design, increased data collection, and user experience changes that have made the platform feel less accessible.
