Windows 7 Makes a Comeback

October 10, 2025, 7:34 am | Read time: 2 minutes

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025–a date that was supposed to accelerate the transition to Windows 11. However, instead of a clear switch, an unexpected trend is emerging worldwide: More and more users are returning to Windows 7.

According to recent figures from “Statcounter,” Windows 11 reached a global market share of 49.05 percent in September 2025, while Windows 10 fell to 40.84 percent. Particularly surprising: Windows 7 saw a significant increase–from 2.84 percent in September 2024 to now 9.15 percent. A large part of this development is due to the Asian market, where the older Windows version remains especially popular.

Old Version, New Popularity

The fact that an operating system without security updates is gaining popularity again surprises even experts. Since January 2020, Windows 7 has not received official patches, yet it remains attractive to many users. Reasons for this include the familiar user interface, stability, and compatibility with older software. In regions with weaker internet connections or older hardware, the system is also considered a reliable alternative.

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Support for the consumer version of Windows 10 was initially set to end in October. However, Microsoft is now offering an extension for certain users.

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Germany Relies on Windows 11

A different picture emerges in Germany. Here, Windows 10 continued to lose market share, falling to 51.18 percent, while Windows 11 increased to 44.15 percent. Windows 7 also saw a slight increase to 3.92 percent. Observers suspect that the free update extension in the EU and less pressure to switch are keeping the market in Europe more stable. Nevertheless, the trend is clear: The majority is increasingly opting for Windows 11.

Nostalgia with Risk

The return to Windows 7 may be a practical or nostalgic decision for many–but it is not without risks. Since Microsoft no longer provides security updates, the system is vulnerable to attacks and can quickly become a risk in networked environments. New drivers and modern software also only support Windows 7 to a limited extent.

Those who continue to use the old system should use it offline or in isolation and avoid processing sensitive data with it. As popular as Windows 7 may be again–it is no longer secure.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.