Windows 10

Windows 10 is a special program for computers.

It helps your computer run. It brought back the Start menu. This makes it easy to find things.

It can even use your face to unlock. This is a safe way to use it. Many people around the world use it. It was very popular for a long time. Now, a new program called Windows 11 is here. Windows 10 was a big step for computers.

Windows 10 is a major program for computers.

It was made by Microsoft. This program helps computers work. It came out in July 2015. It was a free upgrade for many people.

It brought back the Start menu. This made it easier to use a mouse and keyboard. It also added new tools. One tool is Cortana, a virtual assistant. Another tool is Windows Hello. This lets you unlock your computer using your face.

It even lets people run different types of software. Many people liked how it worked. It was very popular for many years. By 2018, it was the most used version of Windows. Microsoft wanted one system for many devices. They wanted it to work on phones and tablets too. Windows 11 came out later in 2021. Support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. Many people still use it today. About 1 billion PCs run it around the world.

Windows 10 is a major operating system made by Microsoft. An operating system is the main software that helps a computer work.

This version was the successor to Windows 8.1. It was released to the public on July 29, 2015. Many people could upgrade to it for free if they had Windows 7 or Windows 8. It was designed to be a very big platform for many different devices. Microsoft wanted it to work on PCs, tablets, and smartphones.

Windows 10 works by providing a familiar way to use a computer. It brought back the Start menu that people liked in older versions. This made it much easier to use a mouse and keyboard. The system also uses a desktop-oriented interface. It includes a tool called Task View that lets you use virtual desktops. You can also use Windows Hello for biometric authentication. This means you can unlock your computer using your face. It also features Cortana, which is a virtual assistant. The system uses DirectX 12 to help with graphics and gaming.

Microsoft worked on this project for a long time. In 2011, Andrew Lees said the company wanted one system for all devices. A writer named Mary Jo Foley reported that the project had the code name "Threshold." This name came from a planet in the Halo game series. In April 2014, Terry Myerson showed an early version of the software. This early build was called build 9697. It showed how the new Start menu would look on a screen. Developers also worked on a way to make "universal apps" that work on many devices.

There are many interesting facts about how Windows 10 grew. Microsoft wanted one billion people to use it within three years. They did not reach that goal until March 2020. By January 2018, it became the most popular version of Windows in the world. In December 2025, about 1 billion PCs were estimated to be running it. As of March 2026, it held a 31% share of the global market. Windows 11 eventually took the top spot in June 2025. Support for Windows 10 officially ended on October 14, 2025.

You might recognize Windows 10 from the apps you use every day. It introduced Microsoft Edge as a new way to browse the internet. It also connects with Xbox Live for gaming. If you have ever played a game like Candy Crush Saga, you might have seen it bundled with the system. The software can be installed using a tool called the Media Creation Tool. It was available in 190 different countries when it first launched. It even supported 111 different languages to help people all over the world.

Windows 10 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system. An operating system is the essential software that manages a computer's hardware and other programs. Developed by Microsoft, Windows 10 was the successor to Windows 8.1. It was released to manufacturing on July 15, 2015. It became generally available to the public on July 29, 2015. Microsoft offered it as a free upgrade to users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. This version was designed to be a massive, unified platform for many different types of hardware.

The system functions by providing a desktop-oriented interface. This was a major change from its predecessor, Windows 8.1, which focused on tablets. Windows 10 reintroduced the Start menu to help users navigate easily. The interface includes several specific tools to improve how people work. Task View allows users to manage multiple virtual desktops at once.

The Action Center provides a central place for notifications. For security, the system uses Windows Hello for biometric authentication. This allows users to unlock devices using physical traits like their face. The system also includes Cortana, which is a virtual assistant. For high-performance graphics and gaming, it utilizes DirectX 12.

Microsoft organized Windows 10 into different versions for different needs. The consumer versions include Home and Pro editions. Pro users can also purchase a Pro Pack to upgrade from Home. For businesses, there are server counterparts like Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022. There is also an ARM version of the software, released in 2018. For specific professional environments, Microsoft provides the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC). These versions receive only critical and security updates rather than constant feature changes. This allows large organizations to maintain a stable system for longer periods.

The development of Windows 10 was a long process of unification. In 2011, Andrew Lees stated that Microsoft wanted one ecosystem for all devices. He wanted PCs, smartphones, and tablets to all work together. In 2013, writer Mary Jo Foley reported the project was codenamed "Threshold." This name was taken from a planet in the Halo video game franchise. In April 2014, Terry Myerson unveiled an early build called build 9697. This build showed a new Start menu and the ability to run Microsoft Store apps inside desktop windows. Microsoft also developed the concept of "universal Windows apps." These apps share a common codebase so they can run on Windows, Windows Phone, and Xbox One.

Microsoft had ambitious goals for the reach of this software. They aimed to have Windows 10 installed on over one billion devices within three years. They did not reach this milestone until March 2020, nearly five years after launch. By January 2018, Windows 10 became the most popular version of Windows globally. It held this position until Windows 11 took the top spot in June 2025. As of March 2026, Windows 10 remained the second-most-used version. It accounted for a 31% worldwide share, while Windows 11 held 67%. By December 2025, an estimated 1 billion PCs globally were running the system.

Windows 10 introduced several notable features and software changes. It introduced the Microsoft Edge browser, which replaced Internet Explorer. It also featured deep integration with Xbox Live for gamers. Some games, like Candy Crush Saga, were even bundled with the operating system at launch. The system was available in 190 countries and 111 languages. To help in China, Microsoft partnered with companies like Qihoo, Tencent, and Lenovo. However, the release also faced some criticism. Some users were concerned about privacy regarding data collection. Others disliked mandatory updates or tactics used to promote the OS.

Windows 10 connects to the broader history of computing and hardware. It is the last version of Windows to support 32-bit processors and BIOS firmware. It is also the last version that does not require a TPM or TPM 1.2 security chip for installation. This makes it a bridge between older technology and the requirements of newer systems. Official support for most versions ended on October 14, 2025. After this date, only specific editions like the LTSC or those in the Extended Security Updates program continue to receive support. This transition marks the shift toward Windows 11 and newer computing standards.