HP Reveals Reasons for Extended Windows 10 Support

Microsoft has extended support for Windows 10 for another year until December 12, 2027. Karen L. Parkhill, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hewlett-Packard, announced in a conversation with investors that Windows 10 holds a market share of 30 percent. This figure highlights the ongoing prevalence of the operating system, which has not been developed further for several years.

The high market share of Windows 10 could be the main reason for Microsoft's decision to extend support. Despite efforts to promote Windows 11, Windows 10 remains popular among many users. Parkhill stated that the adoption of Windows 10 in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) as well as in the APJ region (Asia, Pacific, Japan) continues to be strong. HP's figures are particularly relevant as they come from a leading manufacturer of laptops and desktop PCs. This information contrasts with the market shares published by Statcounter and the gaming platform Steam.

While Statcounter regularly tracks market shares, the Steam figures are based on voluntary user submissions and can therefore be considered less representative. Parkhill emphasized that the update cycle for Windows 11 has not slowed down. PC sales in Asia and Europe continue to benefit from the rollout of Windows 11. "The Windows 11 upgrade that we have now advanced in the EMEA and APJ regions is now at the same level as in North America," she added. Microsoft itself has not released official figures regarding the market shares of individual Windows versions.

The decision to extend support for Windows 10 may also indicate that Microsoft does not want to neglect the user base that continues to rely on the older operating system. HP's announcement comes at a time when Microsoft faces challenges in moving Windows 10 users to Windows 11. The adoption of Windows 11 has decreased in recent months, underscoring the need to retain and support existing users. HP reported good growth in the mentioned regions this quarter, partly due to the positive momentum from Windows 11. The executive pointed out that the demand for new PCs and upgrades remains strong, highlighting the relevance of both Windows 10 and 11.

Microsoft's decision to extend support for Windows 10 may also involve strategic considerations to enhance user experience and ensure system security. Support for older operating systems is often crucial for closing security gaps and maintaining system integrity. HP's announcement and the associated figures could also impact Microsoft's future product development. User reactions to the extended support will be critical in determining the direction of Microsoft's next steps. Parkhill concluded with the statement: "We were able to achieve good growth this quarter in both the EMEA and APJ regions."