Windows 10 May 2019 Update looks to be a hit as users flock to the upgrade

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Windows 10 May 2019 Update has experienced a huge spike in adoption, and has already overtaken the October 2018 Update with a seriously speedy rollout, at least according to one set of stats.

These are the monthly figures from AdDuplex, which show that the May 2019 Update has tripled its level of adoption in August, and is now on 33% of Windows 10 PCs (the stats are derived via adverts run on apps from the Microsoft Store, with a sample size of over 100,000 devices).

You might recall that when Microsoft first started deploying the May 2019 Update, it took a very cautious approach, although that was hardly surprising given the disastrous previous (October 2018 Update) upgrade. In the first week of its release (the final week in May), the May 2019 Update only found a home on 1.4% of PCs according to AdDuplex.

That increased to 6.3% in June, and 11.4% last month in July, so essentially that’s a steady 5% per month for those first couple of months. However, now the floodgates have evidently opened, as the jump to 33% in August represents an almost 22% increase.

And obviously the good news for Microsoft is that even with this much faster pace of deployment, no serious problems have emerged (although some minor niggles have popped up with cumulative updates in recent times).

Neatly divided

Interestingly, the stats for August show that Windows 10 versions are roughly split into three across the user base – with a third on the May 2019 Update, a third on the October 2018 Update, and a third on the April 2018 Update.

Most of the users upgrading to the May 2018 Update come from the April 2018 Update, and are skipping straight over the famously wobbly October 2018 Update.

This is no surprise as Microsoft had previously stated that it is forcing upgrades on April 2018 Update users, as they are on an old version of Windows 10 for which the end-of-service date is coming closer and closer (November 12).

Of course, we say the upgrade is being forced on machines, but you can still delay it by up to 35 days (even on Windows 10 Home), but going by these latest figures, it seems most folks are now keen to move to the latest version of Microsoft’s desktop operating system.

TOPICS

Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - 'I Know What You Did Last Supper' - was published by Hachette UK in 2013).

Latest in Windows
Using Zipped files and folders in Windows 11
Windows 11 should soon be faster at extracting files from compressed ZIPs – and it’s about time, frankly
Xbox Wireless Controller
Microsoft is adding a powerful new feature for using Xbox controllers with Windows 11
Woman disgusted by her laptop
Embarrassing Windows 11 bug that deleted Copilot app is now fixed – but will anyone outside of Microsoft care?
Student sat at a desk with a laptop in a dormitory looking at a mobile phone
Windows 11 could eventually help you understand how fast your PC is - as well as offer tips for making your PC or laptop faster for free
Windows 10
Microsoft gets into the spam game by again emailing Windows 10 users to prod them to upgrade to Windows 11 – is the nagging going too far now?
Using Zipped files and folders in Windows 11
Hidden clues suggest Microsoft is moving another part of Windows 11’s Control Panel to the Settings app – and this time it’s mouse options
Latest in News
Tesla Roadster 2
Tesla is still taking deposits on its long overdue Roadster, despite promising it would arrive in 2020
Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar with Halloween theme over the top
Samsung promises to repair soundbars bricked by its disastrous software update for free – but it'll probably involve shipping
Google Gemini AI
Gmail is adding a new Gemini AI tool to help smarten up your work emails
DJI Mavic 3 Pro
More DJI Mavic 4 Pro leaks seemingly reveal launch date, price and key features of the triple camera drone – here's what to expect
Android 16 logo on a phone
Here's how Android 16 will upgrade the screen unlocking process on your Pixel
Man sitting on sofa, drinking coffee, looking at phone in surprise
Thousands of coffee lovers warned to stop using their espresso machines immediately after reports of burns and lacerations