Windows 10

Windows 10 is a major version of the Windows NT operating system made by Microsoft. It came after Windows 8.1 and was first made available to people on July 29, 2015. Users of older Windows versions like Windows 7 could upgrade to it for free.

Unlike its predecessor, Windows 10 brought back the familiar desktop style and the Start menu that many users liked. It also added new features such as the Cortana virtual assistant, Task View and virtual desktops, and Action Center. A new web browser called Microsoft Edge replaced Internet Explorer.

Windows 10 was well received for bringing back the desktop interface and improving the software that came with it. However, some people were concerned about how it handled updates and privacy. By March 2020, Windows 10 was used on over a billion devices. As of April 2026, it is the second-most-used version of Windows, with 29% of the world's computers using it.

Development

At the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in 2011, a leader from Microsoft talked about their plan to create one system that works on computers, phones, and tablets. In 2013, reports said Microsoft was working on an update to Windows 8, called "Threshold". This update would work across many devices and help programs run on different machines.

In 2014, Microsoft showed an early version of Windows 10. It included a new menu like the one in Windows 7 and allowed programs from the Microsoft Store to run in windows on the screen. They also talked about making programs that could run on Windows phones and game consoles like Xbox.

On September 30, 2014, Microsoft announced Windows 10. They said it would be their biggest system yet, working on many types of devices. They wanted to bring back some features from Windows 7 because some people liked those better.

In January 2015, they showed more features like a digital helper named Cortana, new games, and special glasses that let users see digital images mixed with the real world.

Microsoft said Windows 10 would keep getting updates over time instead of being a one-time version. Later, they announced that Windows 10 would be replaced by Windows 11, and support for Windows 10 would end on October 14, 2025.

On July 29, 2015, Windows 10 was released as a free update for people using Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. It could be downloaded from the Internet or put on a special tool to install. People could also buy copies on USB drives or DVDs.

During the first year, people could get Windows 10 for free if they had a real copy of Windows 7 or 8.1. This offer ended in 2017, but some people found ways to upgrade for free until 2023. Microsoft said this method should not be used, but some reports say it still works in 2024.

Licensing

When you upgrade to Windows 10, the license isn’t tied to a product key. Instead, a special "Digital license" is created during the activation process. This license is linked to the computer's hardware. If you reinstall Windows 10 and haven’t changed major parts of your computer, like the motherboard, the system can usually activate itself without needing a product key. However, if you make big changes to your computer's hardware, you might need to reactivate Windows. Retail copies of Windows 10 still come with unique product keys.

Features

Main article: Features new to Windows 10

See also: List of features removed in Windows 10

Windows 10 made the way it looks and works more the same across different types of devices. It fixed many problems from the way things looked in Windows 8. The version for phones, called Windows 10 Mobile, shared some of the same looks and apps as the one for computers.

Windows 10 supports special apps that can run on many different devices like PCs, tablets, smartphones, game consoles, and more. These apps can adjust how they look depending on whether you’re using a mouse or a touchscreen. There is a new Start menu that mixes parts of the old Windows 7 menu with the tiles from Windows 8. Windows 10 also brought a new web browser, a way to organize open windows, and support for logging in using your face or fingerprint.

The system for apps was changed to work better across different devices. These apps can share information between devices, like letting games play together across different machines. They adjust how they look to fit the device they’re on and are sold through the Microsoft Store. Developers can let people buy an app once and use it on all their devices.

The version of Windows 10 for phones and tablets works differently than the one for computers. It has two modes: one for using a mouse and keyboard, and one for using touch. You can switch between these modes, and Windows can sometimes change automatically, like when you plug in or unplug a keyboard or mouse. In touch mode, programs usually open to fill the whole screen, and the taskbar hides some buttons until you need them.

Windows 10 has extra safety features to keep data protected. It can use special ways to check who you are, like recognizing your face or fingerprint. It also has ways to keep important information safe, like using special codes that are hard to guess. For businesses, there are even more safety options to protect sensitive data.

The windows you open can now be moved and sized in new ways. You can snap windows to different parts of the screen, and Windows can suggest other windows to fill empty spaces. The old way of showing extra options for apps has been replaced with a new area that shows messages and settings. You can bring up this area by clicking an icon or swiping from the side of the screen.

Windows 10 works better depending on what kind of device you’re using and how you control it. It has two main ways of showing things: one for when you use a mouse and keyboard, and another for when you use your fingers on a touchscreen. You can switch between these two ways whenever you want, and Windows might even change automatically sometimes — for example, if you plug a keyboard or mouse into a tablet, it might switch to the mouse-and-keyboard way. When you’re using touch, programs usually open to fill the whole screen, and the bottom part of the screen hides some buttons until you need them. Instead, you use a special view to switch between programs. In this touch mode, the main menu that used to take up the whole screen now scrolls up and down instead of side to side.

The basic parts of Windows 10 can be made smaller to save space. This can free up extra room on your computer, which is helpful if you don’t have a lot of storage. Windows also has tools to help you see how much space different types of files are using, and where they’re saved.

Windows 10 comes with a new web browser called Microsoft Edge. It has tools to help with reading web pages and works with many of Microsoft’s other products. The old browser, Internet Explorer, is still there for some things but is no longer the main one. Edge was later changed to work better with other web browsers.

Windows 10 has a special box where you can search for things, and it also includes a helper that can give answers to questions, set reminders, and find files. This helper can also talk to you using voice commands.

Windows 10 has a system to help families keep track of what children are doing online. Parents can set up rules for things like what websites children can visit, what games they can buy, and more. Parents can also get reports about what their children are doing on their computers.

Windows 10 also has a feature that can help you connect to public Wi‑Fi networks more easily. It can suggest networks and even let you share your home Wi‑Fi password with friends so they can connect without needing to type it in. The password is kept safe and not shown to others.

Windows 10 works better with games from Xbox. You can control and play Xbox games right from your computer if they’re connected on the same network. Windows 10 also lets you record games as you play them and save clips to share.

Windows 10 can play more types of music and video files than before. It also works better with Xbox games and has special tools to make games run faster.

Windows 10 includes three new writing styles that were not in Windows 8, while some older ones are no longer included by default but can be added back if you have an internet connection.

Editions and pricing

Windows 10 comes in five main versions for personal computers. The Home version is for everyday users, while the Pro version is for more advanced users and small businesses. Pro includes extra features like better security tools and the ability to connect to a work network. There are also Enterprise and Education versions for businesses, which need special licensing to use.

Windows 10 also includes versions for phones, tablets, and small devices used in technology networks. In 2017, Microsoft introduced Windows 10 S, a version aimed at schools that only allows apps from the Microsoft Store. Later, this was replaced by "S Mode," which works similarly but can be changed without extra cost.

Support lifecycle

Windows 10 was made available with a set schedule for updates and support. It originally offered five years of regular updates, followed by five more years of extra help. But in February 2018, this changed. After that, each version got support for either 18 or 30 months, depending on its type.

Standard versions of Windows 10 stopped getting updates on October 14, 2025. In April 2023, Microsoft said that version 22H2 would be the last one made for Windows 10.

Hardware exceptions

To keep getting updates, a computer needs to have the right hardware and drivers. In 2017, some older devices called Intel Clover Trail stopped getting new updates because they didn’t meet the needed standards. These devices could still get important safety updates until January 2023.

Extended Security Updates

In December 2023, Microsoft announced extra safety updates for Windows 10 until October 2028. These updates would cost money each year. However, some people could get them for free. For example, those using Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop got free updates. Businesses paid $61 for the first year, then more each year after. Schools paid much less. Regular consumers could pay $30 for one year of updates starting in 2025. In July 2025, Microsoft also offered free updates to consumers who used a Microsoft account or saved their settings to the cloud, or who used 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. These free updates would last one year, until October 13, 2026.

Support and update branches

Updates and support

Windows 10 updates work differently from older Windows versions. Instead of letting you pick which updates to install, all updates—including security fixes, new features, and driver software—are downloaded and installed automatically. You can choose whether your computer will restart automatically to apply updates or if you'll be asked to schedule a restart.

If your computer connects to the internet using a wireless network marked as “Metered” to save data, most updates won’t download until you connect to a regular network. Some updates still happen on certain metered wired connections.

Microsoft provides a tool to remove updates that cause problems. The company says users agree to automatic updates as part of using Windows 10.

Windows Update can also share updates between computers. By default, your computer helps others by sharing updates it has already downloaded. You can choose to only share updates within your own home network instead.

Preview releases

See also: Windows Insider

Before Windows 10 was officially released, Microsoft offered preview versions through the Windows Insider Program starting October 1, 2014. These preview versions were for people who wanted to test new features and help find problems. People in the program got updates more often than the public and could keep testing new versions even after Windows 10 was officially released in July 2015.

Versions

Feature updates

Windows 10 is updated regularly with new features and improvements, called “feature updates.” Microsoft said these updates would come twice a year, in March and September, until version 21H2. Early versions used a year and month system like 1809 for September 2018 updates, but later versions used H1 or H2 to show the first or second half of the year.

Before version 1903, how quickly you got updates depended on your version of Windows 10. Home and Pro versions got updates after they were made public, while business versions got them later for more testing. Special versions for businesses only got important updates and had longer support times.

Starting in 2019, Microsoft changed how updates were delivered. Feature updates are no longer automatically installed for all users. After version 2004, updates are only offered to those whose current version is near the end of its support time, or they can be delayed for up to 35 days. Starting in 2021, feature updates were scheduled for October or November each year. Version 22H2, released in November 2022, was the last feature update for Windows 10.

Features in development

In May 2017, Microsoft showed a new design style called the Fluent Design System, which includes moving parts, depth, and see-through effects. They started adding these designs to Windows 10 updates.

In 2017, Microsoft announced plans to let Windows run on devices using ARM processors, which are often found in phones and can save power. These “Always Connected PCs” could run most Windows programs and have cell service.

In August 2019, Microsoft tested changes to how Windows works on devices that can change between laptop and tablet modes, making the screen easier to use without a keyboard.

In April 2021, a preview version of Windows allowed Linux programs with graphics to run directly. This feature became available for Windows 10 and 11 users in November 2022.

System requirements

Windows 10 needs certain hardware to work properly. The basic requirements were similar to older versions of Windows, but they changed a little over time. For example, the space needed on the computer's disk grew from 16 GB or 20 GB to 32 GB by May 2019. Windows also keeps about 7 GB of space free for updates.

The version that works with more types of tasks needs a special kind of brain for the computer, called a CPU, that can handle certain actions. Small devices need extra storage, like a USB flash drive or an SD card, to help with updates.

Some tablets made by companies approved by Microsoft must have certain buttons, like a power button and volume buttons. All approved devices must have a special security feature called UEFI Secure Boot turned on by default.

Starting with newer types of processors from Intel and AMD, Windows 10 is the last version that Microsoft will support on these newer processors. This decision was talked about a lot because older versions of Windows would not work well with the newest hardware.

Windows 10 versions after 1703 do not work with certain older types of chips called Intel Clover Trail.

From version 2004, new devices made by companies must use processors that can handle more tasks, and the smaller version of Windows 10 will only be available through certain channels.

Physical memory limits

The most memory, called RAM, that Windows 10 can use changes based on the version and the type of processor.

Processor limits

Windows 10 can support different numbers of processors depending on the version. The most it can support is 1 processor for the Home version, 2 for Pro, Pro Education, and Education, and 4 for Pro for Workstations and Enterprise.

It can also support up to 32 logical processors for the smaller version and 1,280 for the larger version.

Reception

See also: Criticism of Windows 10

Windows 10 was mostly well-received. Many thought it was better than its predecessor, Windows 8. Reviewers liked its more familiar design, improved apps, better performance, and a strong search feature. The new Edge browser was praised for its speed, though it wasn’t fully finished when it first came out.

Some people had concerns about how Microsoft focused on its app system. They worried that it might be hard for app makers to switch from systems like iOS and Android.

Another reviewer liked the smooth upgrade process and the balanced design of Windows 10. They praised the voice features of Cortana for being always ready, though not as smart as Google Now. The built-in apps were better than in Windows 8, and the Xbox app worked well for streaming, though it worked best on wired networks.

However, some criticized the new Tablet mode for making certain features harder to use. Microsoft Edge was seen as promising but lacked some features when it launched. Overall, Windows 10 was called the best Windows yet, working well on many types of devices, though it had more bugs at launch than older versions.

Some felt that Windows 10 limited user choices, with harder-to-find settings and forced updates. There were also complaints about the system deleting files without asking users first.

People also talked about Windows 10 being pushed towards users of older Windows versions. Some thought the free upgrade offer came with hidden costs, like ads and microtransactions in games. Others worried about the system requirements for its successor, Windows 11, saying Windows 10 was better and warning people not to switch unless necessary.

Market share and sales

See also: Usage share of operating systems § Crossover to smartphones having majority share

After its release, Windows 10’s use grew quickly. By August 2016, its growth slowed, but by 2018, it became more popular than Windows 7. By March 2020, over a billion devices were using Windows 10, meeting Microsoft’s goal two years early.

Just one day after launch, over 14 million devices were using Windows 10. Within a month, over 75 million devices in 192 countries were using it. By early 2016, over 200 million devices had switched to Windows 10.

Windows 10 became more popular than Windows 8.1 in December 2015. It was the most used version in many countries, though its share grew slowly in some places like Africa. By December 2021, Windows 10 reached its peak popularity at 82.5%, but started to decline after Windows 11 was released.

Update system changes

Windows 10 Home always downloads updates automatically, including security fixes and drivers. Some thought this helped keep computers safe, especially since web browsers already update automatically.

But there were worries that users couldn’t skip bad updates, and that automatic driver updates might cause problems. Microsoft also stopped giving details about update contents at first, but later started sharing release notes.

Some users had trouble during updates, like apps being removed or settings changing back to defaults. There were also bugs, like webcams stopping work after an update.

In 2017, a test version of Windows 10 was accidentally sent to many users, causing problems. Microsoft apologized and fixed it.

Some experts thought Windows 10 Pro wasn’t ideal for big businesses because of changes in how updates and support worked.

Distribution practices

Microsoft was criticized for how it pushed the free upgrade to Windows 10. They used methods that looked like ads, downloaded files without asking, and made it hard to say no. Over time, they changed some of these tactics after feedback.

In 2016, a user sued Microsoft because her computer tried to upgrade to Windows 10 without her permission and broke her travel agency computer. Microsoft first appealed but later paid $10,000 in damages and made the upgrade prompts clearer.

Privacy and data collection

Some people worried about Windows 10’s privacy. By default, it sends some information to Microsoft, like contacts and calendar data, to improve features. Users could opt out of most of this, but some data, like error reports, still went to Microsoft and couldn’t be turned off.

Critics said Microsoft wasn’t clear enough about what data it collected. Others noted that many services today collect similar data. Some governments and users were concerned, but others thought these privacy terms were normal for 2015.

Microsoft also made changes that affected how users set up their accounts and manage privacy settings, which caused some criticism.