Windows 11 Now the Majority OS for PC Gamers

According to Valve's latest Steam hardware and software survey, 67.74% of Steam users are now running Windows 11 — making it the clear majority operating system among PC gamers. Windows 10, which had long dominated the platform, has been displaced.

What the Steam Survey Measures

Valve's monthly hardware and software survey is one of the most comprehensive voluntary snapshots of PC gaming hardware in existence. Each month, Steam users who opt in contribute data about their OS, GPU, CPU, RAM, and display configurations, giving developers and the broader gaming industry a clear picture of what systems players are actually running.

When Windows 11 launched in October 2021, adoption among gamers was slow. The operating system's strict hardware requirements — including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot — meant many gamers with older machines couldn't upgrade even if they wanted to. Community backlash was significant.

The Shift and What It Means

Over time, natural hardware refresh cycles and the end of Windows 10 support (scheduled for October 2025) have accelerated the transition. With nearly 68% of the Steam userbase now on Windows 11, features that were previously niche — like DirectStorage for faster asset streaming and Auto HDR — now have a far larger potential audience.

For game developers, the shift signals it's increasingly safe to target Windows 11-specific optimizations without leaving a significant portion of the playerbase behind.

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Valve Survey: 67.74% of Steam Users Now Run Windows 11