Upgrade Dilemma: Windows 11 or Windows 10? A Painful Choice for Millions
Microsoft Rolls Back Update for Half of Windows Users, Leaving Remaining Users Unaffected
Embrace the tech talk as we tackle the Windows upgrade dilemma. The looming deadline of October, unyielding like a digital gavel, presses 500 million Windows users worldwide to make a decision—upgrade to Windows 11 or buy a newer PC if their current one doesn't make the cut. But, here's a curveball: Upgrades are heading in reverse as the deadline nears, creating quite the cybersecurity conundrum.
Just a moment ago, it seemed like Windows 11 was gaining ground against Windows 10, outranking it in the US. However, in the last few months, Windows 10 has clung onto its throne like a tenacious king, preventing Windows 11 from seizing power globally.
The question on everyone's mind is, "What makes Windows 11 different?" Asus weighs in, pointing to the AI-infused Copilot feature as the key differentiator. Nonetheless, you don't need to lap up the premium Copilot PC to reap the benefits of Windows 11's future-proofing, ensuring your PC receives critical security updates post-Windows 10's farewell in October. So, before we dive head first into AI dominance, let's tackle the more fundamental question: Should you upgrade to Windows 11 or stick with dear old Windows 10?
This decision is a challenge. Statcounter's recent data indicates that Windows 11's market share has been on a downward spiral globally and in the US—a stark reversal after four months of steady progress. Windows 10, on the other hand, is holding strong, refusing to budge and letting Windows 11 lag behind by around 10%.
The statistics aren't in our favor, folks. Approximately 750 million users remain on Windows 10, with around 240 million of them stuck with ineligible PCs. That means around 500 million users can take Microsoft's free Windows 11 upgrade offer, but haven't.
Even in the US, where Windows 11 has edged out Windows 10, May data indicates that Windows 10 is growing its share from 41% to more than 43%, while Windows 11 drops a concerning 3.5%. Looks like we're approaching a critical juncture, as we're just a few months away from Windows 10's grand finale. If Microsoft wants to sidestep a mid-October cybersecurity horror flick, it's high time for a change.
So, dear Windows 10 users with eligible PCs, don't let time slip through your hands. The clock’s ticking—pick a side before the shoes drop!
Why is AI stirring things up?
Asus is gunning for AI with its Copilot feature, promising to elevate Windows 11 users to new heights. However, the AI-driven wave isn't sweeping the market quite so fast, with projections showing it will eventually dominate new PC sales.
Smartphone users, take heed
Don't forget to stay on guard against pesky security calls and airport hassles—check out those warnings before it's too late!
Moving past the midnight deadline: Microsoft 365 and end-of-support risks
It appears Microsoft is extending Microsoft 365 app support on Windows 10 until 2028, offering a temporary reprieve to users who can't make the switch due to hardware constraints. However, once Windows 10's end-of-support date arrives, users will no longer receive security patches, leaving them exposed to cyber threats.
The e-waste dilemma
With Microsoft tightening the hardware requirements for Windows 11, concerns about e-waste are growing, and some users are contemplating Linux as an attractive alternative for older PCs.
[1] Statcounter: https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide/[2] Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-faces-e-waste-backlash-windows-11-requirement-older-pcs-2021-08-18/[3] ComputerWorld: https://www.computerworld.com/article/3618206/microsoft-rumored-to-delay-windows-11s-launch-for-enterprises-by-greater-than-a-year.html[4] GeekWire: https://www.geekwire.com/2021/microsoft-confirms-windows-11-adoption-outpacing-windows-10-says-commercial-deployment-up-75-since-october/[5] TechRadar: https://www.techradar.com/news/microsoft-windows-11-release-date-changes-and-why-you-should-wait-or-upgrade
- As the invisible hand of technology guides, we're thrust into a quandary: upgrade to the AI-enhanced Windows 11 before it's too late, or stick with trusty Windows 10, which continues to hold its ground despite Windows 11's firepower.
- The looming question: Is the future-proof security and AI-infused Copilot of Windows 11 worth the upgrade, given the shrinking global market share it holds compared to the tenacious Windows 10?
