Windows 11 Gains Favor Among Gamers Despite Market Dip

While Windows 11 has been facing a decline in market share, it appears that the gaming community has a different opinion about the operating system. According to the latest Steam Hardware & Software survey, 45.15% of Steam users are now using Windows 11, closely trailing behind Windows 10, which has a 51.02% install base. This shift is intriguing as Windows 11 doesn't offer significant advantages over Windows 10 for gamers, with features like Auto HDR making little impact on game quality and advertisements cluttering the Start menu.

Many attribute the uptick in Windows 11 usage among gamers to the fact that most gaming PCs now come preinstalled with the OS. This means that users who have purchased a new computer since 2022 automatically have Windows 11, potentially leading to its increased presence on Steam. Furthermore, as Windows 10's End of Support (EOS) in October 2025 draws closer, some users may be opting for Windows 11 by default.

The rise in Windows 11's popularity among gamers is a small win for Microsoft, considering the OS has been under fire for various issues. With the future of Windows 12 on the horizon, it remains to be seen whether this trend among gamers is enough to solidify Windows 11's standing or if it's merely a stepping stone to the next big OS release.