Microsoft's Windows 11 is finally gaining significant market traction as businesses upgrade ahead of Windows 10's end of support, while the company simultaneously tests a major overhaul of the operating system's controversial Start menu to address longstanding user complaints.
Windows 11 Adoption Accelerates
Windows 11 adoption has reached 42.7% as of March 2025, showing remarkable growth in the first quarter of the year. This surge puts the operating system on track to potentially overtake Windows 10 within the coming months, as Windows 10's market share has dropped to 54.2%. The acceleration comes primarily from enterprise customers rushing to upgrade their systems following Windows 10's end of support in October 2024. Industry analysts from Canalys noted that while PC shipments saw only a modest 3.9% increase globally in 2024, the market is set for accelerating growth, primarily driven by commercial demand as businesses refresh their hardware to ensure Windows 11 compatibility.
Windows 11 vs Windows 10 Market Share (March 2025)
- Windows 11: 42.7%
- Windows 10: 54.2%
Start Menu Redesign Addresses User Frustrations
In a tacit acknowledgment of widespread criticism, Microsoft is testing a significant redesign of the Windows 11 Start menu. The current version has been widely panned since Windows 11's October 2021 release, with even a former Microsoft director of user experience claiming it makes PCs look infected by a virus. The upcoming redesign addresses several key pain points by displaying all installed apps directly on the main screen rather than requiring users to navigate to a separate screen. Users will also be able to choose between three different app layouts: a named list, a named grid, or category-based folders similar to the iPhone's App Library.
Enhanced Customization Options
The redesigned Start menu introduces much-needed customization options that have been missing from Windows 11. Users will be able to completely disable the often-criticized Recommended section, freeing up valuable screen real estate for pinned apps. The menu itself will be larger and more spacious, addressing complaints about the current version feeling cramped. New settings options will allow users to display all pins by default and show websites from browsing history, giving users more control over their Start menu experience than ever before.
New Start Menu Features
- All apps visible on main screen
- Three layout options: named list, named grid, or category folders
- Option to completely disable Recommended section
- Larger, more spacious design
- Display all pins by default
- Show websites from browsing history
AI Integration Driving Hardware Upgrades
Microsoft's push toward AI-powered computing is also influencing Windows 11 adoption. AI-capable PCs accounted for 23% of all PCs sold in the final quarter of 2024, with Canalys projecting this figure to rise to 35% for 2025. The company has been aggressively integrating AI features into Windows 11, creating the new Copilot PC category in hopes of enticing both consumers and businesses to upgrade their hardware and operating systems simultaneously.
AI PC Market Growth
- Q4 2024: 23% of all PCs were AI-capable
- 2025 Projection: 35% of all PCs will be AI-capable
Availability and Alternatives
The redesigned Start menu is currently being tested in Windows Insider builds and will likely roll out to general users later this year. For those unwilling to wait, third-party alternatives like Start11, StartAllBack, and Open Shell continue to offer replacement Start menus with more traditional layouts and enhanced customization options. These alternatives have been popular among users dissatisfied with Windows 11's default interface choices.
Future Outlook
While Microsoft is unlikely to completely revert to the more familiar Start menu designs from Windows 7 or Windows 10, the upcoming changes represent a significant step toward addressing user feedback. As Windows 11 continues to gain market share and the company refines its user experience, the operating system appears poised to finally overcome its controversial launch and become the dominant Windows version within the next few months.