# Omnissa Report: macOS Outperforms Windows in Stability in Enterprise Environments
According to Omnissa, in enterprise environments, Windows experiences significantly more failures than macOS. Forced shutdowns on Windows devices happen 3.1 times more often, app crashes 2.2 times more frequently, and freezes 7.5 times more often. Each incident results in up to 24 minutes of lost productivity due to the need to regain focus.
The data was collected from millions of devices in 2025 from 26,000 customers across 17 industries. This anonymized statistics reflects real-world enterprise usage scenarios.
Key Reliability Metrics
Omnissa highlights quantifiable differences:
- Forced shutdowns: Windows — 3.1× more frequent than macOS.
- App crashes: Windows — 2.2× more frequent.
- Freezes: Windows — 7.5× more frequent.
- DEX (Digital Employee Experience): macOS scores 120% higher.
In regulated industries (healthcare, pharmaceuticals), >50% of Windows/Android devices lag behind by 5 major OS updates. In education, >50% of devices lack data encryption.
Device Lifecycle and ROI
Organizations see Macs as a long-term investment with a 6-year lifespan, compared to 3 years for Windows devices. This directly impacts TCO (total cost of ownership) in IT infrastructure.
Despite these metrics, Windows dominates in the public sector, with usage doubling year-over-year. Key factors include legacy systems, compliance requirements, and vendor lock-in.
AI Tools on Enterprise Devices
Copilot is deployed on 97.5% of mobile devices. However, employees actively install alternatives:
- ChatGPT — 91% of iOS devices.
- Gemini — 61% of Android devices.
This indicates shadow IT: end-users favor more user-friendly tools, sidestepping corporate policies. IT admins need to factor in these patterns when managing device fleets.
Key Takeaways
- Windows trails macOS on every stability metric, which is crucial for enterprise productivity.
- Mac devices offer better ROI over 6 years vs. 3 years for Windows, lowering TCO.
- >50% of devices in regulated industries are outdated, putting compliance at risk.
- AI tools like ChatGPT dominate shadow IT on mobile platforms.
- Data from 2025 represents a massive sample but doesn't account for 2026+ updates.
Implications for IT Managers
When selecting an OS, look beyond licenses to uptime and user experience. In mixed environments (Windows + macOS), monitor DEX to maintain balance. OS updates are a top priority for security in regulated sectors.
For DevOps and sysadmins: integrate Omnissa metrics into your dashboards. Shadow IT involving AI calls for MDM (mobile device management) policies with whitelists.
The report underscores a shift toward macOS in the private sector, where stability trumps cost. The public sector remains anchored to Windows due to inertia.
— Editorial Team
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