Majority of users still on Windows 10 as Microsoft support nears end

A new Kaspersky report reveals over 53% of users and nearly 60% of businesses still use Windows 10, while just 33% have adopted Windows 11 and 8.5% continue running the long-obsolete Windows 7

As Microsoft prepares to end official support for Windows 10 in October 2025, a new report by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has raised concerns over the high number of users still relying on outdated operating systems. The study, based on anonymized metadata from consenting users in the Kaspersky Security Network, shows that more than 53% of general users and nearly 60% of corporate systems worldwide are still running Windows 10.

In contrast, only 33% of users have upgraded to Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. Alarmingly, 8.5% of devices continue to run Windows 7, which lost official support back in 2020.

Security risks and business vulnerabilities

With support for Windows 10 ending in just a few months, experts warn of growing cybersecurity threats for users who fail to migrate. Unpatched vulnerabilities in unsupported systems provide fertile ground for cybercriminals to exploit, especially in corporate environments where sensitive data is at stake.

Kaspersky’s data reveals that Windows 10 usage among corporate devices is at 59.5%, while small businesses follow closely at 51%. The continued use of Windows 7, even years after its retirement, highlights a broader issue of delayed upgrades and a general underestimation of security risks.

Oleg Gorobets, a security expert at Kaspersky, explained that many users view system upgrades as inconvenient or unnecessary. “From a cybersecurity standpoint, using an outdated operating system is like leaving your front door wide open. The minor disruption of an upgrade is nothing compared to the potential cost of a breach,” he said.

Call to action for timely migration

To mitigate risks, Kaspersky advises individuals and businesses to ensure they are running the latest OS versions with automatic updates enabled. It also recommends the use of security solutions with exploit prevention technologies—like Kaspersky Premium for consumers, or Kaspersky Small Office Security and Kaspersky Next for business users.

With Windows 10 reaching end-of-life soon, the pressure is mounting on users to migrate and secure their systems before vulnerabilities become unmanageable.