July 29， [Year] – Today marks the tenth anniversary of Windows 10. Since its release in 2015， despite facing various controversies and some feature missteps， Windows 10 can be considered one of the most successful modern Windows iterations. As mainstream support for Windows 10 is set to conclude in October 2025， we take a look back at ten significant features and changes it brought over the past decade.
10. The Windows Insider Program
In late 2014， Microsoft revolutionized the development of its flagship consumer product with the introduction of the Windows Insider Program. This initiative allowed enthusiasts and everyday users to actively participate in the Windows development process. The program proved to be an instant success， attracting one million testers within its first two weeks. It has since expanded its reach to other Microsoft products like Skype， Xbox， and Office， demonstrating its effective model for gathering user feedback and fostering community involvement.
9. The Biggest Launch Ever (And It Was Free)
The release of Windows 10 was a significant milestone in Microsoft’s and Windows’ history， marking the first time users of Windows 7 and 8.1 could upgrade to a full operating system for free. While this aggressive rollout involved some unwelcome automatic upgrades and persistent prompts， the launch was undoubtedly a massive success. In its first year， over 350 million devices upgraded to Windows 10， largely driven by its free upgrade policy and remarkably low hardware requirements， making it accessible to a wide range of devices.
8. Windows as a Service
Windows 10 pioneered the concept of a continuously evolving operating system， moving away from substantial version upgrades or “service packs” every few years. Instead， Microsoft adopted a model of semi-annual feature updates， introducing new capabilities and functionalities. This approach led many to believe that Windows 10 would be the final version of Windows， a notion that persisted until the release of Windows 11 in 2021. Notably， Windows 11 has continued this “Windows as a Service” philosophy， delivering ongoing feature updates， some even on a monthly basis.
7. Activation Improvements
Activation processes saw significant improvements with Windows 10， notably allowing users to link their licenses to their Microsoft accounts. While Windows 8.1 allowed retail license transfers between computers， Windows 10’s digital licensing streamlined the activation experience considerably， a feature that has been carried forward to Windows 11.
6. Windows Subsystem for Linux
Introduced in 2017， the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) was a welcome surprise for the developer community. WSL enables developers to run Linux applications and distributions directly within Windows without the need for virtual machines or dual-booting， significantly enhancing productivity and simplifying cross-platform development workflows.
5. Windows Hello
Biometric authentication existed before Windows 10 but was fragmented and not widely adopted. With Windows 10， Microsoft introduced a more modern and secure way to log into Windows. Beyond just login， Windows Hello allows applications and browsers to leverage this technology for more convenient and secure user authentication， integrating seamlessly into the user experience.
4. The Start Menu
While Windows 8.1 was arguably underestimated and its Start screen was functional， it was also a significant factor in the operating system’s perceived failure. Windows 10 redesigned the Start menu， offering users what they truly desired: a compact or full-screen menu that blended elements of the classic Windows 7 Start menu with the live tiles from Windows 8. Despite undergoing several iterations and feature additions (like folder functionality arriving later)， the Windows 10 Start menu is widely regarded as the best to date.
3. Xbox Play Anywhere
Following the release of Windows 10， Microsoft finally began to treat PC users as equals in its gaming ecosystem. The Xbox Play Anywhere initiative allowed users to purchase a game once and play it on either their PC or Xbox， with game progress synchronized between the two platforms. This move bridged the gap between console and PC gaming， fostering a more unified Microsoft gaming experience.
2. Microsoft Defender
Windows 10 was the first operating system to include a built-in antivirus solution by default. This was not a mere placeholder; Microsoft delivered a robust antivirus program， eliminating the need for users to purchase expensive third-party security software. Despite some contention among PC gamers and enthusiasts regarding performance impacts， Microsoft Defender has consistently ranked highly in various antivirus benchmarks and remains an excellent security provider for the average user.
1. Dark Mode
While dark mode in desktop operating systems still has areas for improvement， Windows 10 deserves commendation for introducing a true dark mode to desktop PCs for the first time. This feature offers a more eye-friendly experience for users working late or those with OLED displays， reducing blue light exposure and enhancing visual comfort.
