25% of Steam Users Still Run Windows 10 Six Months After EOL

Key Takeaways

• 25.53% of Steam users remain on Windows 10 despite its October 2024 end of life
• Windows 11's TPM 2.0 hardware requirement blocks many older gaming PCs from upgrading
• Linux gaming held at 4.52% in April, down slightly from its 5% March peak

Windows still dominates PC gaming. That much is clear from Steam's April 2024 hardware survey, which shows Microsoft's operating system running on 93.47% of all Steam users. But dig into the numbers and the picture gets awkward for Redmond.

Only 67.74% of Steam's userbase runs Windows 11. The OS launched almost five years ago. For context, Windows 10 hit that adoption level within its first two years.

The TPM 2.0 Problem

Windows 11 requires Trusted Platform Module 2.0, a hardware-level security feature absent from older processors. This creates a hard wall. Your five-year-old gaming rig might still run modern games at acceptable settings. It cannot run Windows 11 without a CPU swap.

The timing makes this worse. GPU and CPU prices have climbed sharply. Many PC gamers stretched their hardware through the pandemic shortage era and now face another round of expensive upgrades. A motherboard, CPU, and potentially RAM replacement just to access Windows 11 is a tough sell.

Older hardware still handles games surprisingly well. A 2015-era GPU can run most titles if you accept lower settings. That same machine fails Windows 11's security check entirely.

Windows 11's Value Proposition Problem

Even users with compatible hardware lack strong reasons to upgrade. Windows 11 launched rough. Early versions had performance bugs, a controversial centered taskbar, and a Start menu that frustrated power users. Microsoft has smoothed most of these issues.

The result is an OS that works about as well as Windows 10. That's fine. It's not compelling. The major additions since launch have been Copilot AI features and Recall, a screenshot-based activity tracker that raised privacy alarms. Neither makes gamers rush to upgrade.

PCGamer's Ted Litchfield draws a comparison to Microsoft's past OS stumbles. Windows Vista and Windows 8 both struggled with adoption before being followed by well-received successors in Windows 7 and 10. The pattern suggests Windows 12 could reset the relationship, but Microsoft's current AI-first priorities may prevent that course correction.

Linux Gaming Holds Steady

Linux briefly crossed the 5% threshold in March 2024. April's survey shows a slight retreat to 4.52%. That's not a collapse. It's still the highest sustained Linux share in Steam's history.

The Steam Deck drives much of this. Valve's handheld runs SteamOS, a Linux distribution. Every Deck sold is another Linux user in the survey. Traditional desktop Linux gaming remains a niche pursuit, though Proton compatibility has made it viable for many titles.

A mass migration from Windows to Linux remains unlikely. But governments like France have begun exploring Linux alternatives for institutional use. The door is open wider than it was five years ago.

What Happens Next

Microsoft faces a slow-motion support nightmare. Windows 10 ended official support in October 2024. Security patches have stopped for consumer users. Extended Security Updates exist for enterprise customers willing to pay.

A quarter of Steam's userbase now runs an unpatched operating system. Some will accept the risk. Others will disable Windows Update notifications and ignore the problem. A subset will finally buy new hardware or explore Linux.

Microsoft's best play would be a Windows 12 that drops TPM 2.0 requirements and focuses on stability over AI features. The company's recent trajectory suggests this is unlikely. Copilot integration appears to be the priority, not winning back skeptical users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windows 10 still safe to use after end of life?

Microsoft stopped releasing security patches for Windows 10 Home and Pro in October 2024. Running an unpatched OS increases vulnerability to malware and exploits. Enterprise customers can purchase Extended Security Updates for continued protection.

Why does Windows 11 require TPM 2.0?

TPM 2.0 is a hardware security module that enables features like secure boot, BitLocker encryption, and credential protection. Microsoft made it mandatory to establish a baseline security standard, but this blocked many pre-2018 PCs from upgrading.

Can I upgrade to Windows 11 without TPM 2.0?

Microsoft officially requires TPM 2.0, but workarounds exist. Registry edits and modified installation media can bypass the check. These methods void official support and may cause issues with future updates.

How many Steam users are on Linux?

Steam's April 2024 hardware survey shows 4.52% of users on Linux, down slightly from a 5% peak in March. The Steam Deck accounts for a significant portion of this share.

When will Windows 12 release?

Microsoft has not announced Windows 12. Rumors suggest a 2025 or 2026 release, but the company has not confirmed plans or features for a new major Windows version.

Source: PCGamer latest