- Valve’s SteamOS market share has grown by 0.32%, primarily based on new Steam Hardware & Software survey
- Microsoft’s Windows 11 market share fell by 0.44%, suggesting players are migrating to SteamOS
- These outcomes come proper earlier than Microsoft’s new ‘full-screen expertise’ for the Xbox PC app
Microsoft’s Windows 11 is on the verge of receiving vital updates main into 2026, particularly for players with its new Xbox PC app ‘full-screen expertise’. However, it seems as if Valve’s Linux-based working system is steadily taking the lead as the higher working system for gaming.
As reported by TweakTown, Steam’s July 2025 Hardware & Software survey results suggests players are switching to Valve’s SteamOS from Microsoft’s Windows 11, with a 0.32% development in Linux market share – whereas the market share for Windows 11 fell by 0.44%.
TweakTown highlights that Linux’s 2.89% working system market share equates to round 4 million gamers out of Steam’s 132 million customers, so the expansion is pretty vital. It can also be an enormous indication of how in style handheld gaming has turn into since Valve launched its Steam Deck again in 2022, if a majority of those outcomes stem from handheld players.
It’s fairly clear that Valve’s SteamOS nonetheless has a protracted method to go when it comes to its person depend in comparison with Windows 11, however the Linux working system has arguably already surpassed Windows when it comes to recreation efficiency, accessibility, and options.
It’s additionally value noting that each Valve and Microsoft have pledged commitments to enhance their respective working techniques. The former plans to develop SteamOS’s compatibility with different handhelds and desktop PCs, whereas Microsoft is bringing a ‘full-screen expertise’ to handhelds, debuting on the ROG Xbox Ally.
Analysis: I doubt the brand new Xbox PC app ‘full-screen expertise’ will test the SteamOS momentum
As I’ve acknowledged beforehand, it’s extremely exhausting for me to see how Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox PC app expertise will shift me away from SteamOS, as a result of the latter has merely gained me over (at the very least with handhelds).
I will not say Microsoft would not stand an opportunity, and I’m actually going to be checking it out as soon as it is accessible – however I believe the stage is already set for Valve to take the lead on the subject of PC gaming.
The instruments at my disposal whereas utilizing Bazzite (a SteamOS clone) are nice for UI customization, and maybe most significantly, improved recreation efficiency with Decky Framegen and Decky Lossless Scaling, all by way of Decky Loader.
Sure, there are actually equal instruments on Windows 11, however navigation and tinkering on this working system, particularly with a handheld, is one thing I do not wish to take care of anymore. That’s why this ‘full-screen expertise’ sounds promising, because it feels like an equal to SteamOS’s recreation mode.
Microsoft’s new efforts to enhance gaming on its working system are very welcome and appreciated, and I believe it’s going to entice many players as soon as it launches with the ROG Xbox Ally – however total, I believe it will not test SteamOS’s momentum.