Microsoft is kicking off 2025 by emphasizing the importance of upgrading to Windows 11, as support for its predecessor, Windows 10, is set to end in October. The company has dubbed 2025 as the "year of the Windows 11 PC refresh," a move aimed at encouraging users to make the switch to the latest operating system.

This push comes after a year of full-screen prompts urging Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft's executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer, Yusuf Mehdi, believes that refreshing a Windows 10 PC will be a top priority for users in 2025, surpassing the need to upgrade TVs or mobile phones.

Mehdi's statement is significant, given the company's focus on artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. He claims that "Windows 11 is available at a time when the world needs it most" and that "the forefront of AI innovation will be realized on Windows." This emphasis on AI is expected to bear fruit in 2025, with Microsoft promising to deliver more AI-powered features, including its delayed Recall feature and improved Windows Search capabilities.

Although Microsoft is not participating in CES 2025 in the traditional sense, its influence will be felt throughout the event. The company's Copilot AI assistant is set to be integrated into LG and Samsung TVs, and Microsoft executives are expected to make appearances during partner keynotes. Jason Ronald, Microsoft's vice president of "next generation," is already confirmed to appear at Lenovo's handheld gaming PC event.

Despite Windows 11 being the most popular OS for PC gaming on Steam, adoption rates still lag behind Windows 10. Microsoft's strategy to offer Extended Security Updates to consumers for the first time later this year may impact the number of users opting to upgrade to Windows 11. The company is likely to face a challenge in convincing users to make the switch, especially with the option to pay $30 for an extra year of updates instead of migrating to Windows 11.

As the year unfolds, it will be interesting to see how successful Microsoft's efforts are in convincing users to upgrade to Windows 11. With the company's focus on AI innovation and its influence on the tech industry, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Microsoft and its users.