The change came quietly. Microsoft first updated a support article in April, and followed up with additional documentation last week, which eagle-eyed readers at Neowin spotted.
Why the Change?
Microsoft says it wants to give users more time to make the jump to Windows 11, especially in organizational environments where updating systems isn’t always fast or easy. In a statement, the company explained:
“To help maintain security while you transition to Windows 11, Microsoft will continue providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after Windows 10 reaches end of support.”
That said, Microsoft still strongly recommends moving to Windows 11 sooner rather than later, emphasizing that running modern apps on an unsupported OS could lead to reduced reliability and performance. The advice is clear: if your devices still run Windows 10, start planning your upgrade path.
A Surprising Shift in Strategy
This extension may signal a slowdown in Microsoft’s push to move users to Windows 11. The company had previously dubbed this year the “Windows 11 PC refresh,” aiming to encourage widespread upgrades. But with Windows 10 still powering over half of the world’s PCs - according to the latest StatCounter data - it’s clear many users aren’t ready to switch.
As of now, Windows 10 holds a 53% share of the desktop market, while Windows 11 has climbed to 44%. That’s a notable shift compared to last year’s numbers, where Windows 10 dominated with a 70% share, but it still reflects a slow migration.
What You Should Know
Upgrading to Windows 11 is relatively straightforward for most users - even for systems that don’t meet all of the official hardware requirements. Still, older machines might struggle with the new OS, in which case it may be worth exploring some current laptop options that offer better performance and long-term support.
For those who want to stick with Windows 10 a bit longer, Microsoft will allow users to continue receiving updates - at a cost. Security support beyond the official end-of-life date will be available starting at $30
Newer Articles
- Fox One: Fox Unveils New Streaming Service Set to Launch This Year
- A Look Ahead: What Computex 2025 Has in Store for PC Tech
- Netflix Gears Up for Its Big Night: Tudum Live 2025
