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Windows 11 Upgrades Stall Amid High PC Prices

Windows 10 still runs on over a quarter of Windows PCs as PC shipments fall sharply through 2026.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Computers

Isometric editorial illustration of unlabeled memory sticks beside a square processor die on a deep teal base, evoking rising PC hardware costs.
Intel's CPU price increases and inflated memory costs drove third-quarter PC shipments down 21%, stalling Windows 11 upgrades as 27.7% of Windows PCs still ran Windows 10 in September. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Windows 11 upgrades from Windows 10 have stalled as high CPU and memory prices push PC costs up, with PC shipments declining 21% in the third quarter of 2026. Windows 10 was running on 27.7% of Windows PCs in September, despite Microsoft ending mainstream support a year ago.

Why it matters

PC makers pay Microsoft for a Windows license on each PC sold, so falling hardware volumes directly reduce Windows revenue from PC makers, which fell 27% in Microsoft's latest quarter. The slowdown also signals that higher component costs are reshaping how and when users replace aging machines.

Windows 10 ran on 27.7% of Windows PCs in September compared with 26.45% in February, while Windows 11 slipped from 72.57% to 71.5% over the same span. Counterpoint projects a 27% year-over-year decline in PC shipments for Q4 2026, though the source does not detail the hardware specifications driving that projection.

The players

Microsoft

Microsoft is the software company that develops Windows and ended mainstream support for Windows 10 a year ago, earning revenue from licenses paid by PC makers on each device sold.

Intel

Intel is the semiconductor company whose raised CPU prices are contributing to higher overall PC costs for manufacturers and consumers.

Counterpoint

Counterpoint is a market research firm that has projected a 27% year-over-year decline in PC shipments for Q4 2026.

The details

Intel has raised CPU prices, and memory prices remain inflated because most supply is being directed to data centers. PC vendors are responding by restricting configurations and offering bundles, while the cost pressure has suppressed the upgrade cycle that would normally move users from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

Timeline

  1. Q1 2026: PC shipments rose 3.2% amid pre-price-increase buying.

  2. February 2026: Windows 11 reached a 72.57% share of Windows PCs.

  3. Q2 2026: PC shipments declined 4%.

  4. September 2026: Windows 10 still ran on 27.7% of Windows PCs.

  5. Q3 2026: PC shipments declined 21%.

Market Landscape

Microsoft ended mainstream Windows 10 support a year ago, yet Windows 10 still ran on 27.7% of Windows PCs in September, showing that the forced-upgrade deadline has not translated into rapid migration. The gap between the support deadline and actual adoption now sits alongside a PC market contracting under component cost pressure.

Buyers face higher PC prices and more restricted configurations as vendors bundle options and limit choices. Users still on Windows 10 may find upgrading to Windows 11 costlier to justify, since new hardware is harder to afford under current memory and CPU pricing.

The takeaway

Hardware costs, not just software deadlines, now determine when many people move off Windows 10. Anyone planning a PC purchase should weigh whether current configurations and bundles meet their needs before prices or supply shift further.

What happens next

Counterpoint's projected 27% year-over-year decline in PC shipments for Q4 2026 will be tested when fourth-quarter shipment data is reported.

Further reading

For broader context on hardware and operating system trends, explore our Computers coverage.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Computerworld.

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