Windows Sales Drop 27% as Windows 10 Holdouts Stay Put - Is It Still Safe to Wait?

Microsoft's Windows sales to PC makers just fell 27%, and more than a quarter of Windows PCs are still running Windows 10.

If your PC is one of them, you are not in trouble yet. Free security updates for Windows 10 now run until October 12, 2027, as long as your PC is enrolled.

Checking takes about a minute. Here is why Windows sales dropped, how to make sure you are covered, and what to do when you are ready to move.

What Microsoft Reported

Microsoft's quarterly results came out on 28 October. Windows OEM revenue - the money PC makers pay to put Windows on new computers - fell 27%, and CFO Amy Hood said it came in below expectations.

She gave three reasons: last year's rush to replace PCs before Windows 10 support ended, PC makers and shops working through unsold stock, and weaker demand for PCs. The wider Windows and devices line fell 22%, and Microsoft expects it to drop by about a third next quarter.

To be fair to Microsoft, it never blamed Windows 10 holdouts. But Windows Latest points out the obvious: the people who planned to upgrade already did, and the rest are staying put.

Prices do not help. Analysts at Counterpoint say rising memory and storage costs are pushing new PCs up in price, so many people are putting off a new computer.

How Many People Are Still on Windows 10?

• 27.8% of Windows desktops worldwide, by StatCounter's September 2026 figures. Windows 11 is on 71.4%.
• 23.6% of Steam gamers, from Valve's September hardware survey.
• About 30% of HP's own customers, according to HP's finance chief in May.

Here is the surprising part. Asset-tracking firm Lansweeper's data suggests only a small slice of those Windows 10 PCs - around 3% - truly cannot run Windows 11. Most holdouts could upgrade for free and simply have not.

Is It Safe to Stay on Windows 10?

Yes, for now - but only if your PC is enrolled in Extended Security Updates (ESU). That is Microsoft's program that keeps sending security fixes after the official end of support in October 2025.

In June, Microsoft quietly extended the consumer program by a full year. Here is how to check it is working on your PC:

• Open Windows Update. Go to Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update.
• Look for the ESU message. If your PC is enrolled, Windows Update says so. If it is not, you will see an "Enroll in Extended Security Updates" box with an Enroll now link.
• Pick a way to enroll. It is free if you sync your PC settings with a Microsoft account. You can also redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or pay a one-off 30 US dollars.
• Install the updates on offer. ESU needs Windows 10 version 22H2 and the latest updates, so let Windows Update finish first.

One licence covers up to 10 PCs on the same Microsoft account. ESU brings security fixes only - no new features, and no help from Microsoft support. All the details are on Microsoft's ESU page.

When You Are Ready to Leave Windows 10

You have until October 2027, so there is no need to rush. When the time comes, one of these three paths fits almost every PC.

• Your PC meets the requirements. The upgrade to Windows 11 is still free. The Windows 11 Installation Assistant checks your PC and upgrades it while keeping your files and apps.
• Windows says your PC is not supported. That is usually the TPM chip or an older processor. Read should you upgrade an unsupported PC first, then our step-by-step Rufus guide if you decide to go ahead.
• You want a new PC anyway. With prices high, ESU lets you wait for a better deal. Your Windows 10 licence still activates Windows 11 too - our guide on getting Windows 11 for free explains how.

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