Global InformationWindows 10 information
| Version of the Windows NT operating system | |
 | |
 Screenshot of Windows 10 version 22H2, showing the Start menu and Action Center in light theme | |
| Developer | Microsoft |
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| Written in |
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| OS family | Microsoft Windows |
| Source model |
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| Released to manufacturing | July 15, 2015 |
| General availability | July 29, 2015 |
| Latest release | 22H2 (10.0.19045.4355) (April 23, 2024[5]) [±] |
| Latest preview | 22H2 (10.0.19045.4355) (April 23, 2024[6][7]) [±] |
| Marketing target | Personal computing |
| Available in | 110 languages[8][9] (Specific language packs included on the device depend on the mobile operator (for cellular connected devices) or device manufacturer. Additional language packs are available for download on the Microsoft Store, pursuant to manufacturer and carrier support.) |
List of languages
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| Update method |
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| Platforms | IA-32, x86-64, ARMv7,[10][11] ARMv8[12][13][14] |
| Kernel type | Hybrid (Windows NT kernel) |
| Userland | Native API Windows API .NET Framework Universal Windows Platform Windows Subsystem for Linux NTVDM (IA-32 only) |
| Default user interface | Windows shell (graphical) |
| License | Trialware,[15] Microsoft Software Assurance, MSDN subscription, Microsoft Imagine |
| Preceded by | Windows 8.1 (2013) |
| Succeeded by | Windows 11 (2021) |
| Official website | Windows 10 (archived at Wayback Machine) |
| Support status | |
All non-LTSC versions with the latest feature update:
All LTSC IoT variants, and all LTSC variants from 2019 and older:
LTSC (non-IoT) 2021:
Supported until at most January 13, 2032, See § Support lifecycle for details. | |
| Part of a series of articles on |
| Windows 10 |
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Windows 10 is a major release of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system. It is the direct successor to Windows 8.1, which was released nearly two years earlier. It was released to manufacturing on July 15, 2015, and later to retail on July 29, 2015.[20] Windows 10 was made available for download via MSDN and TechNet, as a free upgrade for retail copies of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users via the Microsoft Store, and to Windows 7 users via Windows Update. Windows 10 receives new builds on an ongoing basis, which are available at no additional cost to users, in addition to additional test builds of Windows 10, which are available to Windows Insiders. Devices in enterprise environments can receive these updates at a slower pace, or use long-term support milestones that only receive critical updates, such as security patches, over their ten-year lifespan of extended support.[21][22] In June 2021, Microsoft announced that support for Windows 10 editions which are not in the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) will end on October 14, 2025.[16]
Windows 10 received generally positive reviews upon its original release. Critics praised Microsoft's decision to provide the desktop-oriented interface in line with previous versions of Windows, contrasting the tablet-oriented approach of Windows 8, although Windows 10's touch-oriented user interface mode was criticized for containing regressions upon the touch-oriented interface of its predecessor. Critics also praised the improvements to Windows 10's bundled software over Windows 8.1, Xbox Live integration, as well as the functionality and capabilities of the Cortana personal assistant and the replacement of Internet Explorer with Microsoft Edge. However, media outlets have been critical of the changes to operating system behaviors, including mandatory update installation, privacy concerns over data collection performed by the OS for Microsoft and its partners, and adware-like tactics used to promote the operating system on its release.[23]
Microsoft initially aimed to have Windows 10 installed on over one billion devices within three years of its release;[21] that goal was ultimately reached almost five years after release on March 16, 2020,[24] and Windows 10 is now the most used version in virtually all countries. By January 2018, Windows 10 surpassed Windows 7 as the most popular version of Windows worldwide.[25] Its market share peaked at 82.5% in December 2021, shortly after the introductions of its successor; as of 2024[update], it is estimated to have a 66% share of Windows PCs,[25] still 2.5 times its successor Windows 11's share of 26% (and 20 times Windows 7's 3.3% share). The share has been declining from a January 2022 peak of 82%,[26] since Windows 11's release, which is now the second most popular Windows version in many countries. Windows 10 has an estimated 48% share of all traditional PCs (the rest being other Windows editions and other operating systems such as macOS and Linux), and an estimated 19% share of all devices (including mobile, tablet and console)[27] are running Windows 10. On June 24, 2021, Microsoft announced Windows 10's successor, Windows 11, which was released on October 5, 2021.[28]
Windows 10 is the final version of Windows that supports 32-bit processors (IA-32 and ARMv7-based) and devices with BIOS firmware. Its successor, Windows 11, requires a device that uses UEFI firmware and a 64-bit processor in any supported architecture (x86-64 for x86 and ARMv8 for ARM).[29]
- ^ "Programming language tools: Windows gets versatile new open-source terminal". ZDNet. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- ^ "Microsoft is open-sourcing Windows Calculator on GitHub". ZDNet. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- ^ "GitHub - microsoft/Windows-Driver-Frameworks". Microsoft. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- ^ "windows forms". Microsoft. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- ^ "April 23, 2024—KB5036979 (OS Build 19045.4355) Preview". Microsoft Support. Microsoft.
- ^ "Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.4353 to Release Preview Channel". Windows Insider Blog. April 15, 2024.
- ^ "April 23, 2024—KB5036979 (OS Build 19045.4355) Preview". Microsoft Support. Microsoft.
- ^ "Local Experience Packs - Microsoft Store". Microsoft.
- ^ "Microsoft Volume Licensing Center". Microsoft.
- ^ saraclay. "SoCs and Custom Boards for Windows 10 IoT Core - Windows IoT". Microsoft Learn. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ ".NET Core 3.0 - Supported OS versions". .NET Foundation. June 5, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ Thurrottfeed (November 16, 2018). "Microsoft Opens Its Store to 64-Bit ARM Apps". Thurrott.com. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "HP, Asus announce first Windows 10 ARM PCs: 20 hour battery life, gigabit LTE". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. December 5, 2017.
- ^ "2017-10 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1709 for ARM64-based Systems (KB4043961)". Microsoft Update Catalog. Microsoft. October 16, 2017. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017.
- ^ "Windows 10". Windows Evaluations. Microsoft. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- ^ a b "Windows 10 Home and Pro Lifecycle". Microsoft Learn. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Windows 10 Enterprise and Education Lifecycle". Microsoft Learn. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ Bott, Ed (December 5, 2023). "Microsoft will offer extended support options for Windows 10 PCs, for a price". ZDNet. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
a paying customer can extend the life of a Windows 10 PC from the official end-of-support date of October 14, 2025, until October 10, 2028
- ^ "Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10". Microsoft Learn. December 5, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ "Hello World: Windows 10 Available on July 29". windows.com. June 1, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- ^ a b Bott, Ed. "Microsoft's big Windows 10 goal: one billion or bust". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- ^ Bott, Ed (July 22, 2016). "Is the Windows 10 Long-Term Servicing Branch right for you?". TechProResearch. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ Chacos, Brad (May 22, 2016). "How Microsoft's tricky new Windows 10 pop-up deceives you into upgrading". PC World. IDG. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- ^ "Microsoft hits its goal of 1 billion devices running Windows 10". March 16, 2020.
- ^ "Desktop Windows Version Market Share Worldwide". StatCounter Global Stats. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ "Operating System Market Share Worldwide". StatCounter Global Stats. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ "Upgrade to the New Windows 11 OS | Microsoft". Windows. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ "Windows 11 Requirements - What's new in Windows". Docs. Microsoft. January 6, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022.