Microsoft’s Windows operating system has fallen below 60 percent of global desktop operating system usage for the first time in years, while Linux continues to strengthen its presence, according to the latest figures released by StatCounter for June 2026.
The data shows Windows accounting for 56.55 percent of worldwide desktop operating system usage. Linux reached 4.39 percent, marking one of its strongest performances in recent years and highlighting the gradual growth of open-source operating systems.
Despite Linux’s gains, Apple’s desktop platforms continue to hold a significantly larger share of the market. StatCounter reports OS X with 11.89 percent and macOS with 4.48 percent, giving Apple a combined desktop market share of more than 16 percent. Chrome OS accounted for 1.21 percent of global desktop usage.
StatCounter clarified that its figures are based on web usage rather than the total number of installed devices. The company’s Global Stats are compiled using web traffic data collected from websites that use its analytics platform, measuring page views and technical information such as operating systems, browsers, and screen resolutions.
As a result, the statistics reflect internet usage trends instead of the actual number of computers running each operating system.
While Windows remains the world’s dominant desktop operating system by a considerable margin, the latest data highlights a gradual shift in user activity, with Linux steadily increasing its share of desktop usage. Analysts note that the figures are best viewed as an indicator of changing usage patterns rather than overall operating system installations.
