In a recent blog post about end-of-support options for Windows 10 PCs, Microsoft executive VP and consumer chief marketing officer Yusuf Mehdi mentioned that Windows is the most widely used operating system, powering over a billion monthly active devices. However, this number has not been reported since January 2022, when it was announced that there were more than 1.4 billion monthly active devices running Windows 10 or Windows 11.
After doing the math, it becomes clear that 400 million Windows PCs have vanished in just three years. This is a significant loss of installed base, especially considering that this decline began before the last end-of-support milestone for Windows 7.
The PC market has shifted its focus to business and government sales, with large organizations replacing old devices with new ones as they approach their own end-of-support dates. However, the consumer market for PCs has dwindled, except for a few niche groups like gamers and high-income professionals who require specific capabilities that only PCs or Macs can provide.
The global pandemic initially boosted PC sales, but this trend is likely to reverse as the market adjusts to its new normal. Vendors have already sold an unexpected extra 130 million PCs in 2023, which could mark the peak of the PC era.
Despite Microsoft’s efforts to diversify its business, the company is still heavily reliant on Windows. With the Windows 10 end-of-support date approaching on October 14, 2025, it remains to be seen whether consumers will upgrade their PCs or decide they no longer need one. The trend may lead to a decrease in “monthly active Windows devices” again.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/400-million-windows-pcs-vanished-in-3-years-where-did-they-all-go