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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Windows 11 now accounts for 75.53% of Windows systems in Steam’s August 2026 Hardware & Software Survey, compared with 24.37% for Windows 10. That is a clear adoption lead among the Windows systems represented in Steam’s survey—not proof that Windows 11 runs games faster, or a guarantee that the lead will endure.
What Steam’s August 2026 survey shows
Valve’s Windows-only view for August 2026 lists Windows 11 64-bit at 75.53%, up 0.52 percentage points for the month, and Windows 10 64-bit at 24.37%, down 0.51 points. These shares describe Windows systems reported by Steam survey participants; they are not the share of all PCs or a measure of gaming quality. Valve’s Steam Hardware & Software Survey says participation is optional and anonymous, so the figures are a monthly respondent snapshot rather than a census.
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| Windows version | Share of surveyed Windows systems | Monthly change |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 64-bit | 75.53% | +0.52 percentage points |
| Windows 10 64-bit | 24.37% | −0.51 percentage points |
Both shares and monthly changes are from Valve’s August 2026 Windows-only survey view. A change in survey respondents can affect a monthly snapshot; the survey does not establish why a share moved.
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How Windows 11’s Steam lead developed
Windows 11 did not take the top spot immediately. PC Gamer’s historical review of Steam survey data reports that Windows 11 first passed Windows 10 in October 2024, roughly three years after Windows 11 launched. The August 2026 margin is the result of a gradual transition, not a sudden change in gaming performance. PC Gamer’s historical analysis discusses the longer-running shifts in Steam’s operating-system shares.
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Why the lead may continue—and what could slow it
Reasons it could keep growing
Windows 11 already has a substantial lead in the latest Steam snapshot, and its share rose in August. Windows 10’s general support has also ended, which is relevant context for users deciding whether to move to a supported version. These factors are consistent with continued migration, but the survey does not show that the support change caused any particular increase.
Reasons the transition may remain uneven
Windows 10 still had a sizable presence after support ended. In its report on Steam’s April 2026 snapshot, PC Gamer put Windows 10 at 25.53% and Windows 11 at 67.74%. Those are historical April figures, not the current August shares. The report also identifies Windows 11’s system requirements as a hurdle for some owners of older PCs; the available figures do not quantify how many users are blocked for that reason. PC Gamer’s April snapshot report provides that dated comparison.
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- READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.
Support dates depend on the Windows 11 version
Windows 11 Home and Pro are in support, but Microsoft publishes separate end dates for individual releases. Its lifecycle page lists version 26H2 through October 10, 2028, and version 25H2 through October 13, 2027; the dates are displayed in Pacific Time. Check the release and edition installed on your own PC rather than treating “Windows 11” as one support deadline. Microsoft’s Windows 11 Home and Pro lifecycle page lists the release-specific dates.
Does Windows 11’s Steam lead mean better gaming performance?
No conclusion about FPS, frame times, stability, or game compatibility follows from these market-share figures. The survey records which hardware and software participants use; it is not a controlled Windows 11-versus-Windows 10 gaming benchmark. A more widely used operating system may be winning adoption without being shown here to deliver better performance.
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- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
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Will Windows 11’s lead last?
The evidence supports a cautious near-term expectation that Windows 11 will remain the leading Windows version among Steam survey respondents: its current margin is large, and its August share increased. It cannot establish how long that lead will last, the chance of a reversal, or whether Windows 11 is the better gaming OS. Continued Windows 10 use and hardware eligibility concerns show why the transition may take time; future Steam survey releases will reveal whether the lead persists.
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- Legend perfected: Modern design with a matte basalt black finish in an optimized chassis with customizable AlienFX lighting zones, including the striking stadium lighting.
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- Dell Services: 1 Year Onsite Service provides support when and where you need it. Dell will come to your home, office, or location of choice, if an issue covered by Limited Hardware Warranty cannot be resolved remotely.
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