Alert: Over 1 billion computers are running on older Windows operating systems. Learn about the potential risks of not upgrading..
Microsoft holds the largest share of the world's personal computer market. Today, Microsoft supports its Windows operating system (Windows OS) on hundreds of millions of personal computers and laptops. However, these millions of Microsoft customers have now become a headache for the company. According to computer manufacturer Dell, approximately 500 million PCs are capable of running the new OS comfortably, yet they are not being upgraded.
Dell's Chief Operating Officer, Jeffrey Clarke, stated in the company's recent Q3 earnings call that this large-scale lack of upgrades is a cause for concern for the entire PC market. He also mentioned that approximately 500 million computers older than four years are not eligible for Windows 11, meaning the new operating system cannot be installed on them. In total, nearly one billion computers are running without upgrades, which could put them at significant risk from a security perspective.
Why is the Windows 11 upgrade stalled?
This is the first time a company has officially released figures regarding pending PC upgrades. Clarke explained that while 500 million PCs have the potential for an upgrade, bringing them to Windows 11 will not be easy.
Currently, the prices of AI-powered PCs have increased significantly. Furthermore, the rising cost of RAM and storage has made buying new computers expensive. As a result, millions of people are either postponing computer upgrades or running their systems using unofficial updates. He noted that a similar situation was observed with Windows XP in the past.
A big opportunity for Apple?
The strict requirements for Windows 11 have further exacerbated users' problems. Users have repeatedly requested Microsoft to relax the upgrade rules, and consumer advocacy groups even wrote to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, but the company has not changed its policies. In this environment, this upgrade dilemma could prove to be a significant opportunity for Apple, as many users might decide to switch directly to Macs. AI has made computers more expensive.
AI is being integrated into the world of personal computers at a tremendous pace, but this is causing product prices to rise continuously. Users are paying more attention to prices before upgrading. This could slow down the adoption rate of Windows 11 PCs in the future.
What are the disadvantages of Windows updates being discontinued?
Microsoft has discontinued support for Windows 10 as of October 14, 2025. Users of this operating system will no longer receive official Windows updates or security updates from the company. It's important to note that continuous security updates protect computer systems from viruses, malware, and hacking. Updates also prevent the system from slowing down and provide support for the latest features. Microsoft has previously discontinued updates and support for several older versions, including Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
