Windows 11 Gains Momentum Among Gamers in December 2024
Steam’s December 2024 Hardware and Software Survey reveals that Windows 11 has become the top choice for gamers, surpassing Windows 10 with a 54.96% share.
Windows 11 Overtakes Windows 10 Among Gamers
The latest Steam Hardware and Software Survey highlights a significant shift in operating system preferences among gamers. Windows 11 now leads with 54.96% of Windows users on the platform, marking a 1.98% increase from the previous month. Over the past year, Windows 11 has gained more than 13% market share, up from 41.95% in December 2023.
Meanwhile, Windows 10 usage has declined to 42.39%, while a small fraction of gamers (0.15%) still cling to Windows 7.
Why Are Gamers Upgrading to Windows 11?
Despite reported performance issues with the Windows 11 24H2 update, including system slowdowns acknowledged by Microsoft, adoption continues to rise. Key factors driving this trend include:
- End of Windows 10 Support: With Microsoft phasing out support for Windows 10, many users are upgrading in preparation.
- New PC Shipments: Most modern computers now ship with Windows 11 pre-installed, accelerating its adoption.
Hardware Trends Among Gamers
The survey also sheds light on popular hardware configurations among gamers:
- RAM: 16 GB remains the most common choice, used by 45.07% of gamers.
- Processors: 6-core CPUs dominate with a 31.67% share.
- Graphics Cards: NVIDIA maintains a commanding lead with a 75.67% market share, dwarfing AMD's 16.24%.
Most Popular GPUs on Steam:
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 1650
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Windows Market Share: Statcounter vs. Steam
While Steam’s data is gamer-specific, Statcounter provides a broader perspective on Windows market share:
- Windows 10: 62.73%
- Windows 11: 34.1%
- Windows 7: 2.4%
- Windows 8.1: 0.29%
- Windows XP: 0.23%
Windows 11’s rise among gamers underscores its growing relevance, driven by the impending end of Windows 10 support and widespread adoption in new PCs. Despite lingering issues with recent updates, the operating system’s popularity is expected to continue climbing, especially as hardware and software ecosystems increasingly optimize for it.
Gamers embracing Windows 11 are also leading the charge in adopting high-performance hardware, setting the stage for a new era in PC gaming.
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