After a slow start, Windows 11 is fast becoming the operating system of choice for many people.
According to advertising network AdDuplex, a total of 19.3% of all Windows users are now running Microsoft’s latest OS – that’s up from 16.1% just a month ago. With a further 0.3% using it via the Insider Program, almost one in five Windows devices now use Windows 11.
These figures make for encouraging reading for Microsoft. Windows 11 was widely criticised at launch, with removed taskbar functionality and a new design language among the most controversial changes. But this stripped-back aesthetic works better for many people, while some Windows 10 features are gradually being reintroduced.
Microsoft also appears committed to regularly adding new features to Windows 11. Rather than one big update per year (as was originally planned), it now looks like we’ll see smaller feature updates throughout the year. That’s what the February 2022 update suggested, with even more on the way soon.
However, it’s worth putting these numbers in context. Two specific versions of Windows 10 – 21H2 (21%) and 21H1 (27.5%) both still have a higher market share. Windows 11 remains dwarfed by its predecessor in terms of popularity, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Of course, it’s worth remembering that Windows 11 is still in the course of being rolled out to compatible devices. This has been in its “final phase” since late January, but the free upgrade still won’t have been delivered to some older hardware.
Talking of older hardware, Windows 11’s new requirements mean some Windows 10 devices aren’t officially supported. There is a way to get around this, but it isn’t recommended by Microsoft.
Then there’s the inevitable: a significant number of the 1.4bn+ Windows laptops and PCs won’t be used on a regular basis. If they’re collecting dust in a drawer or cupboard, there’s little chance of them being upgraded to Windows 11 anytime soon.
Windows 11 set to get speed boost
If you have been able to upgrade to Windows 11, you may soon notice improved speeds. As Windows Latest reports, Microsoft is currently testing new Task Manager features that help users prioritise only the processes that are necessary.
Rather than preventing an app from running in the background entirely, you’ll instead be able to select ‘Efficiency mode’. This will intelligently optimise processes to reduce CPU load, freeing up space for other tasks.
This will work in tandem with Microsoft’s EcoQos feature, which prioritises energy efficiency and power consumption. It supposedly has knock-on benefits for battery life, fan noise and thermal throttling.
