More than half of the world’s PCs are still running Windows 10, just weeks before Microsoft ends official support for the operating system in October 2025. New data from Kaspersky shows that 53 percent of users remain on Windows 10, while only 33 percent have moved to Windows 11. Surprisingly, 8.5 percent of devices are still using Windows 7, which has not received updates since 2020.
The figures highlight how slowly many users and businesses transition to newer systems, even when support deadlines are looming. In corporate environments, reliance on Windows 10 is even greater: nearly 60 percent of company devices still run the OS, compared with just over half among small businesses. Around 6 percent of business machines continue to use Windows 7, a choice that leaves them open to potential exploits and software compatibility issues.
Regional breakdowns show similar patterns. In the Middle East, about 31 percent of users have moved to Windows 11, while 54 percent remain on Windows 10 and nearly 8 percent still run Windows 7. In Africa, roughly 36 percent use Windows 11, 53 percent rely on Windows 10, and 4.5 percent remain on Windows 7.
Once Microsoft ends security updates for Windows 10, any remaining vulnerabilities will no longer be patched. That leaves systems more exposed to cyberattacks, even if users have additional security tools installed. Experts caution that relying on outdated operating systems is particularly risky for organizations, since software incompatibilities and unsupported platforms can disrupt operations and increase the likelihood of data breaches.
According to Kaspersky, some users perceive upgrading to Windows 11 as disruptive or unnecessary, often citing interface changes and workflow adjustments. However, security experts argue that the real risk lies in leaving critical infrastructure unprotected. Without updates, vulnerabilities can be exploited with minimal effort, posing risks not only to individual users but also to entire business networks.
With the end of Windows 10 support approaching, the recommendation is clear: upgrading to a supported version of Windows and ensuring automatic updates are enabled is now essential. While security software can provide an additional layer of protection, it cannot replace the foundational security updates that come from a supported operating system.
