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2d ago

Windows 10 Marks Decade as Support Deadline Looms

Windows 11 usage has nearly matched Windows 10’s install base, prompting choices between upgrading or extended support options before October 2025.

Adding people to your Taskbar was a cool idea in theory, but the execution was terrible.
Takuya Hirano, president and chief executive officer of Microsoft Japan Co., speaks during Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 10 operating system product launch in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, July 29, 2015.
After a strong decade, Windows 10 will probably go down as one of the best operating systems in history.
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Overview

  • Windows 10 celebrated its 10th anniversary on July 29, 2025, with regular support set to end on October 14, 2025.
  • Microsoft has rolled out a paid Extended Security Update plan and a free cloud-based workaround using OneDrive backups and Microsoft Rewards points to receive post-support patches.
  • StatCounter figures show Windows 11 adoption surged in recent months to match Windows 10’s install base despite its strict TPM 2.0 and hardware requirements.
  • Windows 10’s decade-long legacy includes key innovations such as Microsoft Edge replacing Internet Explorer, Windows Hello biometric login, the Action Center, and the Cortana assistant.
  • Broad hardware compatibility drove Windows 10’s dominant market share, contrasting with Windows 11’s tighter requirements that have left many PCs dependent on upgrade or extended support paths.