Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 in 2025, marking a pivotal transition as Windows 11 surpassed its predecessor in market share. Windows 10 is remembered as a successful release that reversed Windows 8's unpopular features while introducing modern practices like a free upgrade path and regular feature updates.
Windows 10 Features and Legacy
Windows 10 reinstated the much-loved Start menu and maintained broad hardware compatibility. It introduced continuous feature updates and the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Additionally, it switched the Edge browser to the Chromium engine, enhancing user experience.
Under Satya Nadella, Microsoft pivoted towards cross-platform Office apps and more collaborations with open-source communities, increasing the platform's user and developer-friendliness compared to previous versions.
Annoyances Set by Windows 10
While Windows 10 improved several aspects, it also introduced elements that laid the groundwork for current complaints about Windows 11. These include increased telemetry, product nudges, and promoting Microsoft Store apps. Microsoft account sign-ins became mandatory for certain editions and preinstalled apps cluttered the Start menu.
Many practices, easier to circumvent in Windows 10, have grown more intrusive in Windows 11.
Impact of Windows 11 Changes
Windows 11 has expanded on Windows 10's trends by integrating AI via Copilot features, reinforcing account and internet requirements for setup, and pushing services like Microsoft 365. These moves, along with the hardware requirements involving TPM and Secure Boot, have strained customer relations. Lack of support for older PCs has raised concerns about forced obsolescence.
Despite these challenges, improvements continue in areas like Windows Subsystem for Linux and new device support. However, the overall user experience of initial setup and the first use remains more complex than in the Windows 10 era.
In summary, while Windows 10 set a positive trajectory by addressing user frustrations and fostering a more inclusive ecosystem, it also normalized some intrusive practices that have intensified in Windows 11. A quieter, less obtrusive Windows 11 could potentially persuade more users to embrace the latest OS.
