TL;DR
Steam's December 2025 hardware survey shows Windows 11 climbing to 70.83% of users while Linux slips slightly. Hardware trends include growth in 32GB RAM systems, the NVIDIA RTX 3060 becoming the most common GPU, and Meta Quest 3 pulling ahead in VR share.
What happened
Steam's December 2025 survey recorded a notable shift in operating system share among PC gamers. Windows 11 rose by 5.24 percentage points to represent 70.83% of surveyed Steam users, while Windows 10 declined 2.36 points to 26.70%. Overall Windows usage across versions inched up to 94.95% from 94.79% the previous month. Linux, which saw a small increase in November, stalled in December and edged down by 0.01 point to 3.19%. Not all Linux distributions moved backward; Fedora posted a 0.05-point increase. Beyond OS data, system memory configurations shifted: machines with 32GB of RAM grew by 2.11%, while 16GB setups fell 0.80%. On the graphics front, NVIDIA’s RTX 3060 became the most widely used GPU, replacing the RTX 4060 Laptop GPU. Virtual reality usage also changed, with Meta’s Quest 3 up 24.42%, making it the leading headset and about 2% ahead of the Quest 2.
Why it matters
- Windows 11’s rise reinforces Microsoft’s grip on the PC gaming market and may reflect transitions from older Windows versions.
- Linux’s pause in momentum could shape developer and platform support decisions for alternative OS gaming.
- Shifts in memory and GPU prevalence influence what developers optimize for and what hardware consumers prioritize.
- Rapid adoption of newer VR headsets like Quest 3 can affect accessory ecosystems, multiplayer reach, and VR content investment.
Key facts
- Windows 11 share on Steam rose 5.24 percentage points to 70.83% in December 2025.
- Windows 10 fell by 2.36 percentage points to 26.70% during the same period.
- Combined Windows usage increased to 94.95% of Steam users, up from 94.79% in November.
- Linux slipped from 3.20% to 3.19% of Steam users, a 0.01-point decline.
- Fedora was one Linux distribution that gained users, increasing by 0.05 percentage points.
- Systems with 32GB of RAM grew by 2.11%, while 16GB configurations declined by 0.80%.
- The NVIDIA RTX 3060 is now the most commonly used GPU on Steam, overtaking the RTX 4060 Laptop GPU.
- Meta’s Quest 3 saw a 24.42% increase in user share, becoming the top VR headset and roughly 2% ahead of Quest 2.
What to watch next
- Whether Windows 11’s gains continue as more users move away from Windows 10 following its end‑of‑life.
- If Linux can regain momentum after the December stall, and which distributions lead any recovery.
- Trends in RAM availability and pricing and their impact on PC hardware choices and projects (source notes a RAM crisis may affect plans).
- Continued VR headset adoption rates, particularly whether Quest 3 maintains its lead over Quest 2.
Quick glossary
- Steam Hardware Survey: A voluntary monthly survey run by Valve that reports hardware and software statistics from participating Steam users.
- Windows 11: Microsoft's desktop operating system released as the successor to Windows 10, used by many PC gamers and general users.
- Linux: A family of open-source operating systems and distributions commonly used by developers and some gamers as an alternative to Windows.
- GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, a processor specialized for rendering images and accelerating game graphics.
- VR headset: A head-mounted device that provides immersive virtual reality experiences for gaming and other applications.
Reader FAQ
Is Windows 11 now the dominant OS on Steam?
Yes — the December 2025 survey shows Windows 11 at 70.83% of surveyed Steam users.
Has Linux grown on Steam?
No — after a small gain in November, Linux’s overall share slipped slightly from 3.20% to 3.19% in December 2025.
Why did Windows 11 gain so much in December?
The source suggests the increase may be driven by migration from Windows 10 after its end‑of‑life and by new Windows handheld devices, but this is presented as likely causes rather than confirmed facts.
Is the Steam survey data global?
not confirmed in the source
1 Windows 11’s 2025 problems are piling up faster than Microsoft can fix them TRENDING Xbox Ally & Ally X🎮 PC Deals💲 Windows 10 EOL☠️ ID@Xbox Windows 11🪟 Gaming PC…
Sources
- Windows 11 surges among PC gamers on Steam as Linux stalls
- Windows 10 Market Share Dips Below 30% as Gamers …
- Linux usage on Steam hits a record high for the second …
- Linux gaming just hit a major milestone
Related posts
- Linux is finally desktop-ready — make 2026 the year you switch
- Linux is good now; make 2026 the year to install it on your desktop
- Newegg Promo Codes for January 2026: Up to 10% Off on Gaming PCs, Laptops