Following the end of Windows 10 support, more users are opting for Windows 11. But that hasn’t stopped a considerable amount of Steam users from sticking to the older operating system – just under a third still use Windows 10. While some gamers are simply upgrading to the latest Microsoft OS, there has also been an uptick of Linux users, with the open-source alternative passing 3% market share for the first time on Steam.

The beginning of a new month means another set of Steam data to tuck into. We’re talking about the most recent Steam Hardware & Software Survey, which now reveals all the results for October 2025 on the popular PC gaming service. We were keen to focus on operating system shifts this time around given the arrival of end-of-life for Windows 10 a few weeks ago.

Just over 30% of people still using Windows 10, Linux is now over 3%

Previous forecasts suggested that millions of people are to continue using Windows 10, and that seems to check out so far. There are still avenues of support such as the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program which is free in European Economic Area (EEA) regions, but paid elsewhere in the world. For gamers, and therefore Steam users, Nvidia has also committed to Game Ready Driver support until October 2026 regardless of what region you’re in.

Linux’s popularity on Steam has steadily been growing for a while now, and has no doubt been boosted by the success of Valve’s Steam Deck handheld, which runs on a Linux-based operating system named SteamOS. As of October 2025, SteamOS makes up 27.18% of all Linux devices on the gaming platform, but some alternative Linux distributions are making good gains lately.

Gaming-focused distros such as Bazzite and CachyOS continue to grow on Steam. We’ve also seen these alternatives become popular on Windows handhelds such as the ASUS ROG Ally or most Legion Go models, for those seeking a more Steam Deck-like experience to ditch the bloat of Windows.

As for Windows 10, there’s no reason to expect a resurgence of users moving forward. It’s impossible for us to tell how many of that 31% are enjoying the extended security updates or just continuing on without protection. It’s also worth noting that research shows that Windows 11’s higher system requirements have forced PC gamers to upgrade their hardware.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.