Steam Hardware Survey 2026: Windows 10 Usage Remains High Despite Windows 11

The latest Steam Hardware Survey for 2026 highlights a persistent trend in PC gaming, where the expected transition to newer operating systems remains stalled despite the official release date of Windows 11 passing years ago. While Windows maintains a dominant 93.47% share of the Steam platform, the distribution between versions reveals a significant divide that complicates the anticipated countdown to a total Windows 10 phase-out. For users planning their next system pre-load or hardware upgrade, these statistics offer a clear view of how the current PC ecosystem is functioning.

Latest Steam Hardware Survey Windows 11 Adoption 2026

Data from the 2026 survey indicates that only 67.74% of Steam users have migrated to Windows 11. This figure is notable given that the operating system has been available for nearly five years. The adoption rate suggests that a large portion of the gaming community is choosing to remain on older software, even as the industry moves toward newer hardware requirements.

We reported on these findings at In Game News to better understand how current PC hardware trends are influencing software choices. The data shows that the transition is not moving as quickly as Microsoft likely intended, creating a fragmented environment for developers and players alike.

The Persistence of Windows 10

Perhaps the most striking finding is that more than a quarter of all Steam users, specifically 25.53%, are still utilizing Windows 10. This is occurring six months after the official end-of-life date for the operating system, which originally launched over a decade ago. The continued reliance on this legacy OS indicates that many gamers see no immediate necessity to switch, despite the lack of ongoing official support.

For those tracking operating system updates, the numbers confirm that Windows 10 remains a stable and preferred choice for a significant portion of the gaming population. The question of whether Windows 10 is still supported for Steam gaming in 2026 is answered by the sheer volume of users who continue to operate their libraries on the platform without major disruption.

Barriers to Adoption and Hardware Constraints

The stagnation in Windows 11 adoption can be attributed to several factors, most notably the hardware-level security requirements. The mandate for Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 acts as a significant barrier for users running older processor generations. For many, the cost of a full hardware upgrade to meet these security standards is not justified by the incremental changes offered by the newer OS.

• TPM 2.0 Requirement: Prevents older hardware from officially supporting the upgrade.
• Rising Hardware Costs: Modern components are increasingly expensive, discouraging non-essential system refreshes.
• Performance Parity: Windows 11 and Windows 10 provide an almost identical user experience for standard gaming tasks.
• Software Optimization: Current PC ports often struggle with performance, making users wary of changing their stable software environments.

The market for PC components has seen prices rise, making it difficult for players to justify new builds simply to satisfy OS compatibility requirements. Furthermore, older processors and graphics cards remain capable of running modern titles if users are willing to adjust graphical settings, extending the lifecycle of older machines well beyond the initial 10-year expectation.

Linux Gaming and Future Outlook

The survey also provides insight into the Linux gaming scene. After reaching a milestone of 5% in March 2026, the numbers dipped slightly to 4.52% in April. While this represents a solid presence on the platform, it indicates that Linux is not currently on a trajectory to overtake Windows in the immediate future. Microsoft faces a complex situation, as even some government entities, such as those in France, have begun exploring alternatives to the Windows ecosystem.

The history of Microsoft operating systems often follows a cycle of divisive releases followed by more widely accepted versions, similar to the transition from Windows Vista to Windows 7, or Windows 8 to Windows 10. Whether the company can replicate this success with future iterations depends on its ability to provide features that users actually desire, rather than focusing on AI-integrated tools like Copilot or Recall, which have not yet proven to be the primary drivers for user migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windows 10 still supported for Steam gaming in 2026?

While Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10, the operating system remains functional for Steam gaming, with over 25% of the platform's user base still utilizing it.

What percentage of Steam users are still on Windows 10?

According to the official 2026 Steam Hardware Survey results, 25.53% of Steam users are still operating on Windows 10.

Why are Steam users not upgrading to Windows 11?

Users are largely avoiding the upgrade due to the required TPM 2.0 hardware security measures and a lack of compelling new features that differentiate the experience from Windows 10.