Ten years ago today, Microsoft released Windows 10 for use – as the last supposedly major version of Windows.
On July 29, 2015, Windows 10 emerged as a remedy for the dissatisfaction surrounding Windows 8, which had failed to gain traction on more than a third of all Windows devices. Microsoft faced the formidable challenge of convincing users to transition from the well-loved Windows 7. To do this, the company pivoted away from the touch-centric design that characterized Windows 8, opting instead for a more traditional desktop experience. The controversial start screen with app tiles was replaced with a familiar Windows desktop, while still allowing for optional app tiles in the start menu.
The strategy proved effective, as Windows 10 began to eclipse its predecessor, Windows 7, between spring 2017 and early 2018. By the end of 2021, over 80 percent of all Windows computers were running Windows 10, bolstered by free upgrade offers for users of Windows 7 and 8, which Microsoft extended multiple times.
“The last Windows”
As the decade progressed, Windows 10 was heralded as the “last Windows.” This notion was first articulated by Jerry Nixon, a senior developer at Microsoft, during the Ignite conference in 2015. The Windows Internals manual later echoed this sentiment, stating, “There will be no official ‘Windows 11’; instead, Windows Update (or another maintenance model for companies) will update the existing Windows 10 to a new version.”
Popular Windows 10 is followed once again by unpopular Windows 11
The narrative took a turn during the COVID-19 pandemic when CEO Satya Nadella introduced the concept of a “next generation” Windows on May 26, 2021. This culminated in the announcement of Windows 11 a month later, with its official release on October 5, 2021. Despite offering free upgrades from Windows 10 to 11, the new operating system has struggled to gain popularity. Even as support for Windows 10 approaches its end, it remains installed on over half of all Windows PCs and laptops.
Two primary factors contribute to this phenomenon. First, Windows 11 largely enhances Windows 10 without introducing groundbreaking new features. Second, Microsoft’s stringent system requirements have left many users unable to upgrade without significant adjustments. Notably, systems with AMD’s Ryzen 1000 and Intel’s Core i-7000 are excluded, leading to confusion surrounding the secure boot requirement. Consequently, many users are hesitant to embrace Windows 11.
Microsoft, however, remains unfazed. General support for Windows 10 will conclude on October 14, 2025, at which point private users will no longer receive security updates. Operating a Windows 10 PC with an internet connection will soon pose a security risk, urging users to consider their upgrade options carefully.
