Windows 11 keeps growing on Steam as Linux loses some gaming momentum

Windows 11 is continuing to gain ground among PC gamers on Steam, while Linux has slipped for a second month after reaching a recent high earlier this year. The latest Steam hardware survey for May 2026 shows Windows 11 rising by 2.02 percentage points to reach 69.76 percent of Steam users, reinforcing Microsoft’s strong position in PC gaming.

Windows as a whole now accounts for 93.85 percent of Steam users. That is not surprising, but it does show how difficult it remains for alternative operating systems to challenge Microsoft in mainstream PC gaming. Linux has made real progress in recent years, helped by Steam Deck, Proton, better driver support, and growing frustration with Windows. Even so, the latest numbers show that growth is not moving in a straight line.

Linux reached 5.33 percent of Steam users in March 2026, then dropped to 4.52 percent in April. In May, it fell again to 3.99 percent. That is still much better than the sub 2 percent range Linux stayed in for years, but the decline suggests that some recent momentum has cooled.

The shift raises a simple question: is Windows 11 becoming more acceptable to PC gamers again, or is Linux simply settling after a temporary spike?

The answer may be a bit of both. Linux gaming is much better than it used to be, but it still asks more from many players than Windows does. Some games do not work properly because of anti cheat restrictions. Some hardware needs extra setup. Some launchers and modding tools remain easier on Windows. For people who just want to install a game and play, Windows still has the smoother path most of the time.

That does not mean Linux has failed. The opposite is true. A 3.99 percent share on Steam is still a major improvement compared with where Linux gaming used to be. Valve’s work with Proton and SteamOS has made Linux a real gaming platform instead of a niche experiment for enthusiasts. The Steam Deck helped prove that many Windows games can run well on Linux when the software layer is handled properly.

But Steam Deck’s success has not automatically turned desktop Linux into a mainstream gaming choice. Many players may enjoy Linux on a handheld device where Valve controls much of the experience, while still preferring Windows on their main gaming PC. That difference matters.

Windows 11’s growth also comes at an interesting time for Microsoft. The company has faced heavy criticism over forced changes, ads, AI features, privacy concerns, and confusing settings. Yet among Steam users, Windows 11 keeps moving upward. Part of that may be because Windows 10 is approaching the end of mainstream support, pushing more gamers to upgrade. New PCs also ship with Windows 11 by default, which naturally increases its share.

Microsoft may also be under more pressure to improve Windows as a gaming platform. Linux, SteamOS, handheld PCs, and Valve’s hardware plans all give gamers more choices than before. Even if Windows remains dominant, stronger competition can force Microsoft to care more about performance, compatibility, and user experience.

That matters ahead of Microsoft’s next gaming hardware plans. If Xbox’s future includes more PC style devices and a stronger Windows based gaming ecosystem, Microsoft cannot afford to ignore player frustration. Windows has the market share, but trust still needs work.

For Linux, the latest survey is a setback, not a collapse. The platform has already crossed an important line by becoming a serious option for more players. The challenge now is consistency. Better anti cheat support, easier driver handling, improved launcher compatibility, and more polished desktop experiences could help Linux regain momentum.

For now, the Steam numbers show that Windows 11 is still the default home for PC gaming. Linux has made impressive progress, but it has not yet broken through to the mainstream in a lasting way. Competition is still good for everyone, though. If Linux keeps improving and Microsoft keeps feeling pressure, PC gamers may end up with better choices on both sides.