The discrepancy between the overall desktop operating system market share and the Steam user base statistics for Windows 10 and Windows 11 can be explained by considering the different demographics and usage patterns of these groups. Here are some key factors that contribute to these differences:
General Desktop Market Share (Statcounter)
Overall Users: Statcounter's data represents a broad range of desktop users globally and Melbet registration 2024, including both consumers and businesses.
Business and Enterprise Use: Many businesses and enterprises are more conservative about upgrading their operating systems due to concerns about compatibility, training, and cost. As a result, many of them still use Windows 10.
Older Hardware: A significant portion of the global user base might be using older hardware that isn't compatible with Windows 11 or hasn't justified an upgrade to a newer system.
Steam User Base (Steam Hardware Survey)
Gamer Demographic: Steam users are predominantly gamers who tend to have more up-to-date and powerful hardware to support modern games.
Frequent Upgrades: Gamers are generally more likely to upgrade their systems frequently to take advantage of performance improvements and new features, which could include upgrading to Windows 11.
Windows 11 Incentives: New gaming features and optimizations in Windows 11, such as DirectStorage and Auto HDR, might incentivize gamers to upgrade.
Hardware Compatibility: Since Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements (e.g., TPM 2.0, Secure Boot), the systems that gamers use are more likely to meet these requirements compared to the average global desktop user.
Market Dynamics
New PCs and Laptops: Windows 11 is pre-installed on most new PCs and laptops, so the share of Windows 11 users is gradually increasing as people buy new devices.
Performance and Preference: While benchmarks show negligible performance differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, gamers might prefer the newer OS for its additional features and perceived improvements.
Detailed Breakdown
Statcounter Data:
Windows 10: ~70% of global desktop users
Windows 11: 25.69%
Trend: Windows 10 shows a month-over-month increase in market share.
Steam Data:
Windows 10: 51.02% of Steam users
Windows 11: 45.15% of Steam users (increasing trend, +3.54% in April 2024)
Trend: Windows 11 usage is increasing among gamers, while Windows 10 is decreasing (-3.38% in April 2024).