Dell reports that nearly 500 million PCs are delaying the move to Windows 11

The Windows 11 upgrade is clearly behind expectations

Dell has confirmed what many of us suspected. The move from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is slower compared to the last big transition.

On a recent earnings call, Dell’s chief operating officer stated that the industry is still “behind schedule,” with adoption roughly ten to twelve points lower than Windows 10 was at a similar stage after its predecessor reached end of support.

Hundreds of millions can upgrade, but simply do not

According to Dell’s numbers, about 1.5 billion Windows PCs are in use right now. Of those, roughly 500 million are fully capable of running Windows 11 but are still on Windows 10.

That is a large portion of the installed base choosing not to upgrade despite upgrade prompts and vendor marketing; OEMs and analysts describe this as a significant headwind to rapid migration.

Another huge chunk cannot run Windows 11 at all

On top of that, Dell estimates that another 500 million machines are around 4 years old and fail Microsoft’s stricter hardware requirements for Windows 11. Many lack trusted platform modules, compatible processors, or modern security features.

Some desktops can be upgraded, but most laptops are effectively locked in. For those users, upgrading means buying new hardware, not just clicking an install button.

Windows 10 remains surprisingly sticky with users

The big surprise is not that some people are resisting change. It is how many are choosing Windows 10 even when they could move today. The decade-old system still feels familiar, stable, and “good enough” for everyday work and gaming.

Compared to the awkward Windows 8 era, there is no burning desire to escape, so the urgency to jump to Windows 11 just isn’t there.

Microsoft’s hardware rules created a real upgrade wall

Windows 11’s more demanding requirements are more than just fine print. They created a visible wall between older and newer PCs. Many users discovered that their relatively modern machine was suddenly deemed obsolete.

That leaves a bad taste. Even people whose PCs are compatible sometimes hesitate, worried that an upgrade might slow things down or break trusted apps on hardware that already feels borderline.

Extra security updates give people one more year to wait

Microsoft offered Extended Security Updates to ease the transition, but consumer enrollment is conditional. Microsoft published options, including enrollment via synced PC settings or redeeming Microsoft Rewards points, and paid purchase routes are available for other scenarios. Enterprise customers typically obtain ESU through volume licensing at published prices.

That move effectively pushed the real decision point out to late 2026. If you are on the fence, it is tempting to say, “I will deal with this next year” and carry on as usual.

Dell sees a lag in upgrades but still talks about opportunities

From Dell’s perspective, the slow migration is both a problem and a sales pitch. Fewer urgent replacements could mean the PC market stays mostly flat next year instead of booming.

Dell described these as rich opportunities to sell modern Windows 11 and AI-capable PCs, meaning devices built to support new Windows features and on-device AI.

Component price spikes make new PCs a harder sell

There is another headwind in the mix. Memory and storage costs have risen significantly in 2025, with analyst reports and Reuters attributing much of the pressure to hyperscaler and AI data center demand, as well as supply constraints.

That feeds into higher prices for new laptops and desktops, right when Microsoft wants users to move to fresher Windows 11 hardware. If I were planning a replacement, seeing prices climb would make me think twice about upgrading early.

AI PCs are the carrot, but users are not rushing to adopt them

Like most major manufacturers, Dell is heavily investing in AI-powered PCs with built-in neural processing units.

In theory, these machines showcase what Windows 11 can do that Windows 10 cannot. In practice, many users still view AI features as nice extras, rather than must-haves.

Until people experience a clear benefit in their daily tasks, the promise of AI alone may not be enough to prompt a leap.

Some users are looking beyond Windows altogether

The stalled migration is also opening the door to alternatives. A slice of Windows 10 users are exploring Linux distributions or switching to macOS rather than buying a new Windows 11 device.

For people frustrated by strict requirements or constant interface changes, this feels like a clean break. The exact numbers are small compared to a billion PCs, but the sentiment is real and growing.

IT departments are balancing risk, cost, and disruption

Inside companies, the story is even more cautious. Corporate IT teams weigh security, compatibility, and retraining costs before moving thousands of employees to a new system.

If Windows 10 continues to receive patches and mission-critical software runs smoothly, many will likely delay. From their view, every major upgrade is a project, not a quick install, and they want to avoid breaking stable workflows without a strong reason.

Microsoft faces a long fight to win hearts and installs

For Microsoft, the message is uncomfortable. Years after its launch, Windows 11 still lags behind its predecessor in adoption at comparable milestones.

That means more work convincing people the upgrade is worth the hassle, and possibly rethinking some decisions around hardware rules and controversial features. Without a stronger pull, millions may stay on Windows 10 until the absolute last safe moment.

And if you’re keeping an eye on Microsoft’s next moves, you might want to see how Copilot is now landing on Windows 11 and what it means that it’s starting to listen.

What this slow transition means for you right now

If you are still on Windows 10, you are not alone. You have time thanks to extended support, but not infinite time. The most effective approach is to view this as an opportunity for planning.

Test Windows 11 on one machine, list the apps you depend on, and budget for hardware if necessary. I just wanted to let you know that waiting is fine. Waiting without a plan is where the real pain begins.

And if you’re mapping out your move to Windows 11, you might want to check out the must-have apps Microsoft forgot to include.

What do you think about the report Dell unveiled that almost 500 million Windows users are missing Windows 11? Please share your thoughts and drop a comment.

Read More From This Brand:

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• Microsoft could let you curb Edge and Bing in Windows 11, but don’t count on it

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.