The data shows that in 2026, Windows 10 runs more stably than Windows 11.
Microsoft's monthly Windows 11 updates have repeatedly introduced unexpected failures, raising the question of how error-prone the operating system really is — and how Windows 10 compares. Data compiled by Windows Latest, based on an analysis of all Windows updates released since January 2026, points to a clear conclusion: Windows 10 runs considerably more stably and reliably than Windows 11.
The problems have not been isolated incidents. In September, a Windows 11 update broke USB audio and the File History feature. August brought issues affecting printers and PDF files, July caused problems on some Dell computers, and June saw difficulties with system boot and BitLocker recovery. According to Windows Latest's analysis, eight of the nine months this year included at least one update that produced a serious problem or regression.
Windows 10 has not been entirely free of flaws in the same period. Its June update caused users to lose access to the system through BitLocker, echoing a failure from November 2025. Even so, the system has become noticeably more stable overall, with fewer critical failures and serious issues.
The absence of new features is one of the main reasons for that improvement. Support for Windows 10 ended in October 2025, after which Microsoft has issued only security updates — and only for participants in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. With large-scale changes no longer being made, the risk of failures has dropped.
For users who are satisfied with Windows 10's current feature set, have no interest in the Copilot AI assistant, and value stability over innovations and experiments, staying on Windows 10 is clearly the better choice. Those running Windows 11 who encounter unstable operation or other unexpected problems after installing an update are generally advised to roll back the update and wait for bug fixes. Windows 11 also offers Known Issue Rollback (KIR), which can undo changes tied to problematic non-security features without removing the entire update.