HP’s Windows 10 holdouts show just how hard Microsoft’s Windows 11 upgrade push really is
Microsoft’s aggressive push to migrate users to Windows 11 is facing significant resistance from the installed base, with new data from HP revealing the scope of the challenge. According to HP, 30% of its user base remains on Windows 10, despite Microsoft officially ending support for the operating system on October 14, 2025.
The persistent holdout is particularly notable given that approximately 400 million PCs worldwide lack the hardware specifications required for Windows 11 compatibility. Microsoft’s stringent hardware requirements—including TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and specific processor support—have created a significant upgrade barrier for older machines.
The situation represents a modest improvement from September 2025, when HP and Dell both reported that approximately 50% of their installed base was still operating on Windows 10. The decline from 50% to 30% suggests some migration is occurring, but the pace remains far slower than Microsoft likely anticipated when it set the October 2025 end-of-support deadline.
This data underscores the real-world challenges facing major software platform transitions. Despite support ending and security risks mounting, a substantial portion of users remain on outdated systems due to hardware limitations rather than reluctance. The findings suggest that enterprise and consumer PC upgrades follow a protracted timeline, with millions of devices remaining in use well beyond official support windows.
HP and other PC manufacturers face a balancing act: supporting legacy systems while encouraging hardware sales and Windows 11 adoption. The gradual nature of this transition indicates that Windows 10 will likely remain in use across millions of devices for years to come, even as the operating system becomes increasingly vulnerable to security threats without vendor support.