HP: 30% of PC customers are still running Windows 10

Support for Windows 10 ended several months ago, but customers still have the option to opt in to the Extended Security Update (ESU) program in order to receive security updates, also through free methods. Now, it seems like many users are either taking Microsoft up on the offer or keeping their Windows installations in an unsupported state, at least on HP's side of the fence.

As spotted by The Register, in a call with investors after announcing its latest quarterly results, HP revealed that roughly 30% of the company's PC customers are still using Windows 10. HP CFO Karen Parkhill noted that:

30 percent of the installed base is still to be refreshed. That's one tailwind which we see as an opportunity in the short run. [...] We have roughly 30 percent of the installed base still on Windows 10, so we still have some more to go. The Windows 11 refresh that we've driven now in EMEA and APJ is now on par with North America.

As is evident from the statement, although a significant number of HP users are still on Windows 10, the company is eager to drive them to Windows 11. This makes perfect sense due to a number of factors.

For starters, the clock is ticking when it comes to the end of the ESU program for consumers, as Microsoft has only promised 12 months of support for now, which ends on October 14, 2026. Next, an upgrade to Windows 11 will ensure that customers will continue to use their existing HP PCs and services as they remain supported. And perhaps, most importantly, users who are not eligible for Windows 11 due to TPM and other security requirements may be compelled to purchase new PCs soon, and HP will be hoping that it will be a strong contender in this space.

To its credit, Windows 11 adoption is moving at a relatively fast pace, with Microsoft's latest OS reaching a billion users faster than Windows 10. It remains to be seen how quickly HP can add to this number with faster conversions to Windows 11.