Windows 11 Hits 71.5% of Installs as ESU Costs Climb
Statcounter data shows Windows 11 now runs on 71.5% of Windows PCs, while Windows 10 ESU pricing pushes organizations to upgrade.
Windows 11 accounted for 71.5% of all Windows installs as of September 2026, according to Statcounter figures reported by TechRadar. The milestone comes as organizations face rising costs for keeping Windows 10 devices patched through Microsoft's Extended Security Updates program.
Organizations now pay $122 per device for Windows 10 ESU coverage, bringing the total three-year cost to $427 per device. That pricing applies to businesses that want to keep older machines secure after the operating system's official end of support.
In October 2025, Windows 10 reached its official end of support, prompting a spike in Windows 11 adoption. At that time, in 2025, organizations could buy into the ESU program for $61 per device — roughly half the current annual rate.
The pattern echoes Windows 7, which lost support in 2020 when it still accounted for 24.9% of installs. By the end of the third year of ESU coverage, its share had fallen to 9.6%, and two months later it dropped to 3.7%.
Quick answers
How much does Windows 10 ESU cost per device?
Organizations now pay $122 per device for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates, with a total three-year cost of $427 per device.
What share of Windows installs does Windows 11 have?
Windows 11 accounted for 71.5% of all Windows installs as of September 2026, according to Statcounter.