With adoption still being difficult, Microsoft has found another way to deliver its latest Windows 11 operating system, especially to Windows 10 users.
The company hopes a new out-of-the-box experience, enticing users to upgrade to Windows 11, will make it easier and smoother, as many users will be more likely to comply during installation.
Microsoft explains on a Windows 10 support page (opens in a new tab): “An out-of-band update has been released to improve the Windows 10…out-of-box (OOBE) experience.”
Windows 10 versus 11
The update has been rolled out to Home and Professional 2004, 20H2, 21H1, 21H2, and 22H2 versions of Windows 10, and will install during the Windows OOBE process as long as the device has an internet connection, according to the post.
Windows 11 installs appear to have leveled off in mid-2022 according to figures published by Statcounter (opens in a new tab), but recent months have seen healthy adoption to the point that 16% of Windows users have upgraded to the latest operating system. Windows 10 remains by far the most popular version, accounting for just under 70% of all installs.
Versions aside, Windows continues to be the most popular desktop operating system, accounting for around three-quarters of the market, compared to macOS in second place at 16% and Chrome OS a distant second at 2.5%. .
The Registry reports that many companies delay deploying the latest operating system until around 18 months, after which it is deemed suitable (and compatible) enough. With that in mind, Windows 11 adoption could get a much-needed boost as summer 2023 approaches.
On the downside, many companies may be waiting because their current hardware doesn’t meet the stringent requirements in place to help Windows 11 be more secure than previous operating systems. This, and sluggish PC sales, may mean that Windows 11 may never be as popular as Microsoft had hoped.
