Windows 7 suddenly makes a comeback: Measurement error at Statcounter?

Shortly before the official end of support for Windows 10, new market analyses paint a surprising picture: User numbers for the popular operating system have dropped significantly, but not just in favor of Windows 11—according to Statcounter measurements, the nearly 15-year-old Windows 7 from Microsoft is making a comeback that no one likely expected. But there have been measurement errors in the past as well...

Old systems, new dynamics

While Microsoft took the next step in its software strategy with the release of Windows 11 version 25H2, user adoption seemed to stall for quite some time.

Although users can easily install the update through various methods, the adoption of the operating system stagnated until August 2025.

Current data from Statcounter shows as of September 2025 that the user base is finally growing, although many users are still loyal to Windows 10.

Nevertheless: Last month, the Windows 10 operating system lost significant ground worldwide.

What is surprising about the Statcounter statistics, however, is that the decline was not accompanied solely by an increase in Windows 11.

Instead, the Windows 7 operating system—which was originally released in 2009 and has long since officially ceased to be supported—is experiencing remarkable growth.

In just a few weeks, the market share of this outdated version rose by around 6 percentage points—a trend of this magnitude that surprises even experts.

Statcounter measurement error: Windows 7 celebrates a questionable comeback

The fact that a system that has long been inactive, such as Windows 7, is suddenly gaining such importance again makes one sit up and take notice. The increase is particularly high in Germany, but also in South America.

Because many older computers simply do not meet the technical requirements for the new Windows 11, such as the required TPM 2.0 support. But do users really prefer to fall back on a proven, albeit currently very insecure, system instead of investing?

Well, there are legitimate doubts as to whether the statistics actually reflect real user behavior.

Because similar fluctuations had already been observed with Windows 11 in the summer, when the numbers skyrocketed within a very short time only to drop significantly again the following month.

And since November 2025, it is clear - this time it affects the suddenly increased Windows 7 user numbers from Statcounter:

Source: StatCounter Global Stats - Windows Version Market Share

Industry analysts therefore suspect that at least part of the reported increase could be due to measurement errors or even flawed survey data. While there is currently no official confirmation of this, the sudden surge in Windows 7 usage remains a remarkable phenomenon.

The problem is that Windows 7 no longer receives security updates. Anyone who chooses to use this outdated operating system runs the risk of having security vulnerabilities exploited by cybercriminals. This is particularly problematic when it comes to online banking, for example, or when you decide to gamble and provide your personal information to an online casino. Depending on whether the online casino operates without the 5-second rule or holds a German license, different types of data must be provided. In any case, you need to be cautious if you like to test your luck—on the one hand, because of the risks involved in gambling, and on the other, because of the security vulnerabilities that Windows 7 already has.

Germany shows a different picture

Changes are also taking place in the Federal Republic, albeit with its own emphasis. Shortly before the end of Windows 10 support, the operating system is losing more users than ever before. The decline amounts to over 7 percentage points – a record high for Germany. At the same time, Windows 11 is seeing a noticeable increase for the first time, now reaching a market share of over 44 percent. This is also the highest figure since the system's launch in 2021.

However, there are also users in Germany who are choosing Windows 7. Although the growth here is significantly lower than worldwide, even a small increase is surprising given the outdated security architecture. The cause could lie in specific use cases: some companies and private users continue to use older software that only runs stably on Windows 7.

Microsoft's last chance for the top spot

Looking ahead to the coming weeks, Microsoft is facing a pivotal moment. Although the company has now made the so-called ESU program—which is a kind of security extension for Windows 10—free for home users in the EU, many users remain hesitant. For some, the hardware requirements are too high; for others, there isn’t enough tangible added value to justify switching to Windows 11.

The next four weeks are therefore also considered decisive. Should the new 25H2 update bring further technical stability and strengthen user trust, Windows 11 could take over the lead position in Germany for the first time by the end of the year. If that fails, however, Microsoft risks losing control over its own ecosystem transition.