Quick overview:
Shortly before the official end of support for Windows 10, new market analyses reveal a surprising picture: the number of users of the popular operating system has fallen significantly, but not just in favor of Windows 11 - according to Statcounter measurements, the almost 15-year-old version Windows 7 from Microsoft is celebrating a comeback that nobody expected. But there have already been measurement errors in the past...
Old systems, new dynamics
While Microsoft took the next step in its software strategy with the release of Windows 11 version 25H2, user acceptance seemed to falter for a long time.
Although users can easily install the update in various ways, the distribution of the operating system stagnated until August 2025
Current data from Statcounter as of September 2025 shows that the user base is finally growing, although many users are still loyal to Windows 10.
However, the Windows 10 operating system lost significant ground worldwide last month.
Surprisingly, however, the Statcounter statistics show that the decline is not solely due to an increase in Windows 11.
Instead, the Windows 7 operating system, which was originally launched in 2009 and is no longer officially supported, is experiencing astonishing 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In just a few weeks, the market share of this outdated version rose by around 6 percentage points - a trend of this magnitude that surprises even experts.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 long-defunct system such as Windows 7 is suddenly gaining in importance again is quite remarkable. In Germany, but also in South America, the increase is particularly high.
Because many older computers simply do not meet the technical requirements for the new Windows 11, for example with regard to the required TPM 2.0 support. But do users really prefer to fall back on a tried and tested, albeit currently very insecure, system instead of investing?
Now, there are legitimate doubts as to whether the statistics actually reflect real user behavior.
Because comparable fluctuations had already been observed in the summer with Windows 11, when the figures shot up within a very short period of time, only to drop significantly again the following month.
And since November 2025 it has been clear - this time this concerns the sudden increase in Windows 7 user numbers from Statcounter:
Industry analysts therefore suspect that at least part of the reported increase could be due to measurement errors or incorrect survey data. There is currently no official confirmation of this, but the sudden upswing of Windows 7 remains a remarkable phenomenon.
The problem is that Windows 7 is not supplied with security updates. If you decide to use the outdated operating system, you run the risk of security vulnerabilities being exploited by cyber criminals. This is problematic for online banking, for example. Or even if you decide to gamble and make your data available to an online casino. Depending on whether it is an online casino without the 5-second rule or with a German license, there are different data to transmit. In any case, you have to be careful if you like to put your luck to the test; on the one hand with regard to the gambling risk, on the other hand due to the security gaps that Windows 7 already has.
Germany shows a different picture
A change is also taking place in Germany, albeit with its own accents. 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 figure for Germany. At the same time, Windows 11 has made noticeable gains for the first time and now has a market share of over 44%. This is also the highest figure since the system was launched in 2021.
But there are also users in Germany who are opting for Windows 7. Although the increase 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
Microsoft is facing a decisive moment in the coming weeks. The company has now made the so-called ESU program - a kind of security extension for Windows 10 - free of charge for private users in the EU. Nevertheless, many users remain hesitant. For some, the hardware hurdle is too high, for others there is no tangible added value to switch to Windows 11.
The next four weeks will therefore also point the way forward. If the new 25H2 update brings further technical stability and boosts user confidence, Windows 11 could take the lead in Germany for the first time by the end of the year. However, if this does not succeed, Microsoft risks losing control of its own ecosystem change.
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