For those who came in late, support for Windows 10 will end in October and throughout 2024, Vole has been trying to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11 with full-screen prompts.
Last year, Microsoft started 2024 by proclaiming it was "the year of the AI PC," and subsequently launched a range of Copilot Plus PCs several months later. As the end of Windows 10 approaches, Vole’s minions at CES is making waves by emphasizing that refreshing a Windows 10 PC is more important than buying a new TV or phone in 2025.
Microsoft executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer Yusuf Mehdi said: "As CES 2025 begins, showcasing the latest innovations in technology, we are excited for the advancements our industry will offer to people around the globe and we believe that one of the most important pieces of technology people will look to refresh in 2025 isn’t the refrigerator, the television or their mobile phone. It will be their Windows 10 PC, and they will move forward with Windows 11."
Mehdi said that "Windows 11 is available at a time when the world needs it most" and that "the forefront of AI innovation will be realized on Windows."
The year 2025 promises significant advancements in Windows AI features, especially after the much-delayed Recall feature failed to launch fully in 2024. Additionally, the improved AI-powered Windows Search features, unveiled in October, have yet to be delivered to Insiders.
While Microsoft doesn't have a traditional booth or product announcements at CES this week, its influence is evident in the myriad laptops being announced and even the surprising news of its Copilot AI assistant coming to LG and Samsung TVs.
It's likely that some Microsoft executives will make appearances during CES press events. Jason Ronald, Microsoft's vice president of "next generation," is already confirmed to appear at Lenovo’s handheld gaming PC event, and Windows chief Pavan Davuluri has been speaking at partner keynotes in recent months.
With Windows 11 adoption still trailing behind Windows 10, it's no surprise that Microsoft is dedicating the year to ensuring users upgrade to Windows 11 or purchase new PCs. Windows 11 has become the most popular OS for PC gaming on Steam, but with Microsoft offering Extended Security Updates to consumers for the first time later this year, it will be interesting to see how many users will opt to pay $30 for an additional year of updates instead of upgrading to Windows 11.
