Microsoft has recently made significant strides by making Windows 11 25H2 available to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview channel. This announcement comes at a time when market share statistics reveal that Microsoft's flagship operating system continues to maintain a robust lead over its predecessor, Windows 10. The announcement regarding Windows 11 25H2 was made at the end of last week, with a promise that general availability will follow later this year.
The Windows 11 25H2 update shares the same servicing branch as the currently available Windows 11 24H2. This means that the installation process is primarily an enablement package, designed to activate new features that have already been downloaded but are currently inactive. Microsoft has employed a similar strategy with the previous updates, namely Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2.
While many features will be rolled out with this update, it is important to note that some, such as PowerShell 2.0, will be discontinued in Windows 11 25H2. However, one of the key improvements includes the ability for system administrators to remove pre-installed Microsoft Store apps through Group Policy, enhancing the overall user experience.
The inclusion of this build in the Release Preview channel offers administrators a valuable opportunity to review the code before it becomes widely available. This proactive approach allows for necessary adjustments and optimizations to be made prior to its official launch.
Interestingly, the announcement for Windows 11 25H2 did not include any mention of Windows 12, nor were official figures released regarding the current state of Windows 11 adoption. However, according to Statcounter, the monthly figures for Windows market share indicate that Windows 11 holds a commanding 49.08 percent, while Windows 10 trails behind at 45.53 percent. This demonstrates that Windows 11 is not only ahead but also suggests a trend favoring a Windows 11 future, despite experiencing some fluctuations along the way.
In the United States, Windows 11 has shown impressive growth against Windows 10, boasting nearly 60 percent market share, while Windows 10's share has fallen below 40 percent. Conversely, the situation appears less favorable for Microsoft in Europe, where Windows 10 continues to dominate as the leading desktop operating system. One potential reason for this discrepancy could be a tariff-driven surge in PC purchases in the US.
It is crucial to highlight that Statcounter's data is sourced from approximately 1.5 million websites, representing only a small fraction of the over 1.2 billion websites worldwide. Despite this limitation, these figures provide a useful indicator of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to advance its flagship operating system.
As we await the full rollout of Windows 11 25H2, it is clear that Microsoft is committed to enhancing its operating system while maintaining a competitive edge over Windows 10. The transition towards a Windows 11 future appears promising, underscoring Microsoft's dedication to continuous improvement and user satisfaction.
