Technology Windows Drops Under 60% in Global Desktop OS Share for the First Time in Years

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Windows’ long-standing dominance of the desktop operating system market has taken a noticeable hit, according to StatCounter’s latest worldwide desktop OS market-share data.

In June 2026, StatCounter reported that Windows made up 56.55% of global desktop OS usage, dropping Microsoft’s share below 60%. This is a big change for an operating system that has shaped desktop computing for decades and usually led its competitors by a wide margin.

Linux, meanwhile, continues its gradual rise. StatCounter’s June 2026 data puts Linux at 4.39% worldwide, one of its strongest recent showings in the company’s desktop OS statistics. While still far behind Windows, the figure keeps Linux firmly above the symbolic 4% line, which only a few years ago would have looked highly optimistic for the desktop.

StatCounter’s June 2026 data puts Windows at 56.55% worldwide, while Linux reaches 4.39%.
Apple’s desktop platforms also remain a major part of the picture. StatCounter lists OS X at 11.89% and macOS at 4.48% for June 2026, meaning Apple’s combined desktop presence remains comfortably ahead of Linux in the global chart. Chrome OS follows with 1.21%.

Of course, StatCounter’s numbers should be read for what they are: web usage statistics, not a direct count of installed operating systems.
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My main issue with Windows is MS Edge, I really dislike it however I like so much about the rest of Windows I put up with that, but I really do not like it OR use it, its endless updates that unlike FF save several updates which is plain ridiculous & recently changing my search engine back to Bing grrrr however??? Maybe one day I will snap? & move but not yet I do get some sort of happiness in getting Windows 11 to more or less run Ike I want it, despite their efforts.
 
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Sorrento said:
My main issue with Windows is MS Edge, I really dislike it however I like so much about the rest of Windows I put up with that, but I really do not like it OR use it, its endless updates that unlike FF save several updates which is plain ridiculous & recently changing my search engine back to Bing grrrr however??? Maybe one day I will snap? & move but not yet I do get some sort of happiness in getting Windows 11 to more or less run Ike I want it, despite their efforts.
Click to expand...
MS fought hard to increase the market share of Edge. It is deep rooted in the system. I too despise it. What I did is block it using OSA for now. I wanted to uninstall it, but this MS and I know that will cause endless issues. I also do not like the fact that MD (though I have nothing against it) is still present despite using a 3rd party security product.

I also despise the start menu and how bloated it is. For the rest, I am using xyplorer to replace Windows Explorer. I also install updates manually from Update Catalog.

But honestly, Win 11 is very stable and I like it's performance but I wish there was an option to install a version without all the bloat, but that's never gonna happen.
 
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Divine_Barakah said:
MS fought hard to increase the market share of Edge. It is deep rooted in the system. I too despise it. What I did is block it using OSA for now. I wanted to uninstall it, but this MS and I know that will cause endless issues. I also do not like the fact that MD (though I have nothing against it) is still present despite using a 3rd party security product.

I also despise the start menu and how bloated it is. For the rest, I am using xyplorer to replace Windows Explorer. I also install updates manually from Update Catalog.

But honestly, Win 11 is very stable and I like it's performance but I wish there was an option to install a version without all the bloat, but that's never gonna happen.
Click to expand...

I ran for some time with Edge removed but its a cat & mouse game & eventually i gave in, I very rarely use Edge, MS have made very sure its a part of Windows I feel so they can bleat its not removable, though Windows runs fine without it buts its not worth the effort in keeping it off?
 
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Sorrento said:
I ran for some time with Edge removed but its a cat & mouse game & eventually i gave in, I very rarely use Edge, MS have made very sure its a part of Windows I feel so they can bleat its not removable, though Windows runs fine without it buts its not worth the effort in keeping it off?
Click to expand...
If removing Edge does indeed remove EdgeWebview that will cause issues.

I have heard those who are in Europe can remove Edge
 
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Sorrento said:
I ran for some time with Edge removed but its a cat & mouse game & eventually i gave in, I very rarely use Edge, MS have made very sure its a part of Windows I feel so they can bleat its not removable, though Windows runs fine without it buts its not worth the effort in keeping it off?
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I use Brave for everyday surfing, keeping Edge only for banking log in.
 
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Parkinsond said:
It's the hardware requirement for newer versions of Windows also.
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That is the main reason which make the Linux increase its market share " Open source which makes it more trusted" and compatibility with old hardware and the control you give it to the user to remove what he / she want even to the core of OS " The kernel"
 
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Divine_Barakah said:
MS fought hard to increase the market share of Edge. It is deep rooted in the system. I too despise it. What I did is block it using OSA for now. I wanted to uninstall it, but this MS and I know that will cause endless issues. I also do not like the fact that MD (though I have nothing against it) is still present despite using a 3rd party security product.

I also despise the start menu and how bloated it is. For the rest, I am using xyplorer to replace Windows Explorer. I also install updates manually from Update Catalog.

But honestly, Win 11 is very stable and I like it's performance but I wish there was an option to install a version without all the bloat, but that's never gonna happen.
Click to expand...
This is good tool which can help you to remove alot of the built in bloatware in a safe way
www.oo-software.com

O&O ShutUp10++: Improve Windows data protection

Enable recommended privacy options and make Windows 10/11 leaner and more private with just a few clicks.
www.oo-software.com www.oo-software.com
 
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Divine_Barakah said:
It seems we either accept it the way it is, or use a different OS. Fortunately both of my laptops are linux-certified.
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I'm stuck with Windows for the smoothest experience with my productivity apps, Office and SPSS.
Playing with Linux distros is fine if it is just for web surfing and playing media files.
Even gaming could pose a challenge.
 
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DDE_Server said:
This is good tool which can help you to remove alot of the built in bloatware in a safe way
www.oo-software.com

O&O ShutUp10++: Improve Windows data protection

Enable recommended privacy options and make Windows 10/11 leaner and more private with just a few clicks.
www.oo-software.com www.oo-software.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing this, but honestly it is not about how to remove things, but rather about the consequences
 
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DDE_Server said:
That is the main reason which make the Linux increase its market share " Open source which makes it more trusted" and compatibility with old hardware and the control you give it to the user to remove what he / she want even to the core of OS " The kernel"
Click to expand...
Linux distros market share will increase, but it will not exceed a certain small percentage.
 
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Parkinsond said:
I'm stuck with Windows for the smoothest experience with my productivity apps, Office and SPSS.
Playing with Linux distros is fine if it is just for web surfing and playing media files.
Even gaming could pose a challenge.
Click to expand...
That the main challenge which Linux try to solve. once get the developer support " which i see is increasing " it will be the number 1 OS but this comes gradually. increasing the Linux market share will push the software developer to consider it as an important OS with target audience to develop productivity software for "Also in the time being there is a good alternative with very similar GUI i am trying such as LibreOffice ...etc
 
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