Microsoft officially began rolling out Windows 11 on October 5, 2021. Eligible Windows 10 PCs could upgrade for free, while various PC devices pre-installed with Windows 11 also started hitting the shelves. Although requirements like TPM 2.0 sparked controversy, Windows 11 quickly became a hot topic among global gamers and PC enthusiasts thanks to its fresh design.
Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, Windows 11 has reached over 1 billion users, according to data released by Microsoft. Microsoft states that Windows 11 achieved this milestone faster than its predecessor, Windows 10, taking only 1,576 days compared to the latter's 1,706 days.
Over the past five years, Windows 11 has undergone many changes, from minor UI tweaks to a completely new user experience with a more modern layout and features. However, it has also faced a series of issues. Microsoft's attempt to integrate all functionalities into a single operating system has made update-related problems more common, ranging from random errors to severe system crashes. Despite its imperfections, market penetration speaks for itself. Especially after Windows 10 ends support on October 14, 2025, Windows 11's market share has seen a significant surge.
As Windows 10 is phased out at an accelerated pace, Windows 11 has now taken over the market. As Microsoft's long-term supported version, users can expect more updates to come. For better or worse, Windows 11 remains a central topic of interest for millions of PC enthusiasts worldwide.