Windows 10, approaching its tenth anniversary on July 29, has played a significant role in Microsoft's history as mainstream support nears its end. Key achievements include:
1. The Windows Insider Program, launched in late 2014, allowed over 1 million users to provide feedback on Windows development.
2. Windows 10 was the first version that allowed free upgrades from Windows 7 and 8.1, resulting in over 350 million devices upgraded in the first year.
3. It introduced the concept of "Windows as a Service," with bi-annual feature updates.
4. The activation process was improved by linking licenses to Microsoft accounts, allowing users to retain licenses after hardware changes.
5. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) was introduced in 2017, enabling users to run Linux applications directly within Windows.
6. Windows Hello provided a modern biometric authentication method, supporting facial recognition and fingerprint scanners.
7. The Start menu was redesigned to combine elements from Windows 7 and 8, receiving positive feedback.
8. The Xbox Play Anywhere program allowed users to purchase games once and play them on both PC and Xbox, syncing progress across platforms.
9. Microsoft Defender was included as a built-in antivirus solution, offering robust protection.
10. A proper dark mode was introduced, enhancing user experience, especially for those working late or using OLED displays.