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EaseUS Q3 2025 Windows OS Migration Case Study Report

EaseUS, a renowned leader in data management and recovery solutions, has recently published its comprehensive report on Windows OS migration trends for the third quarter of 2025. This extensive case study analyzes the data gathered from over 69,984 users and a staggering 132,117 migration operations, providing valuable insights into the current landscape of Windows system migrations.

Key Migration Trends

The report highlights several significant trends regarding system migrations among users. One of the most notable findings is the preference for certain migration paths. The data reveals that users predominantly migrate from SSDs to USBs and SSDs to SSDs. These migrations are primarily motivated by the need for backups or enhanced portability. Additionally, HDD migrations to USBs and SSDs also constitute a vital aspect of the migration ecosystem. The main migration paths identified in the report are as follows:

• - SSD to USB: 32.23% - Mainly for backups or portability.
• - SSD to SSD: 28.09% - Frequently seen as an upgrade to faster or larger drives.
• - HDD to USB: 13.59% - Commonly used for data extraction or backup purposes.
• - HDD to SSD: 10.56% - Often aimed at improving performance.

Another critical trend is observed in system drive capacities. There has been a marked shift towards larger drives, with 500GB to 1TB becoming the standard size for system drives. Ultra-large drives nearing 2TB are increasing in adoption, while smaller drives under 250GB remain present mainly in older or budget systems.

Windows Version Analysis

The report further analyzes operating system usage, revealing that Windows 11 and Windows 10 dominate the installed base. Migration activities correlate strongly with these versions, as users seek performance enhancements and compatibility. Specifically, the breakdown of OS usage among the analyzed PCs is as follows:

• - Windows 11: 58.06%
• - Windows 10: 40.31%
• - Windows 7/8: 1.39%
• - Windows Server: Less than 1%

Preferred Disk Brands and Performance

The insights extend to preferred disk brands for migrations, with Samsung and Western Digital leading the pack as trusted choices for both source and target disks. Other brands like Crucial and Kingston also maintain a strong footing among users seeking value-based disk options.

In terms of migration performance, SSD to SSD migrations display the highest average speeds at 356.33 MB/s, with over 40% of these migrations exceeding 300 MB/s. Conversely, transfers involving USB connections often suffer from reduced speeds and higher failure rates.

Challenges and Recommendations

Despite the benefits of OS migration, there are challenges that users frequently face. The report identifies common causes of migration failures, which include:

• - Disk Read/Write Errors: 30%
• - Boot Configuration Exceptions: 30%
• - Partition Misconfigurations: 11%
• - Insufficient Disk Space: 14%
• - Other Causes (e.g., interruptions): 15%

To mitigate these issues, EaseUS recommends several best practices for users planning a migration:
1. Assess Disk Health: Evaluate the condition of the source disk to avoid read/write errors.
2. Ensure Sufficient Free Space: The target drive should have at least 20-30% more free space than the used data.
3. Favor SSD-to-SSD Paths: These paths offer faster speeds and higher migration success rates.
4. Data Backup: Always backup essential data to prevent loss.
5. Compatibility Checks: Verify hardware compatibility with newer Windows versions, such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.
6. Fragmentation Maintenance: Defragment large system partitions and conduct tests for smaller migrations.

In summary, EaseUS's Q3 2025 report provides a detailed snapshot of current migration trends and challenges in the Windows OS domain. The data-driven insights not only assist IT professionals in planning their migration strategies but also ensure better-informed decisions when selecting hardware. EaseUS continues to advocate for smooth and secure migrations, emphasizing its commitment to data recovery, disk management, and backup solutions. For those interested in exploring EaseUS's offerings, further information can be found at EaseUS.