Think Mutoh

You’d think that the launch of a new operating system from Microsoft would be a big deal. But a new survey suggests that many US consumers are in the dark about Windows 11, even though it launches next week. 

Earlier this month, the deals and coupon site Savings.com commissioned an online survey that polled 1,042 US consumers who use Windows. Surprisingly, 62% of the respondents are “unaware” of the Windows 11 release.

Only 38% know that “a major change [is] coming to the operating system,” Savings.com says. But of those users, only 41% plan on upgrading to the OS. 

“In fact, two in three users didn’t know whether their computers had the necessary hardware to make the change, and 45% weren’t sure if they would download the update when it begins rolling out in early October,” Savings.com adds. 

It’s unclear why so many of the respondents are oblivious about Windows 11. But the same survey suggests the younger, smartphone generation may care less about the new OS.

“Older Windows users were more likely to say they knew the update was coming. Only 28% of users between 18 and 24 were aware a new OS was on the way, compared to 56% of those over the age of 55,” Savings.com says.

Either way, millions of consumers are bound to encounter the OS eventually. Windows 11 is scheduled to roll out as a free update to Windows 10 users starting on Oct 5. However, the free update won be available on PCs older than four years (approximately), due to Microsoft’s hardware requirements for the software.

As a result, some users may remain unaware or uninterested in the OS. To find out whether your computer will officially support Windows 11, run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. 

The poll from Savings.com was conducted online on Sept. 17 through a survey company called Prolific. “Participants were pre-screened to determine study eligibility,” says a spokesperson for Savings.com. “Participants who did not use Windows operating systems were excluded from completing the survey.”