Windows 10’s journey from its highly anticipated 2015 launch to its approaching end of official support marks a pivotal chapter not only for Microsoft but for the world of desktop computing. As the countdown to October 2025 draws closer, the nostalgia mingles with critical reflection: Did Windows 10 truly earn the “best version of Windows” crown? And if so, why do so many users still see it as the gold standard even as Microsoft urges us onto newer, shinier paths?
From the outset, Windows 10 faced an unusual challenge: to repair the image and usability missteps of Windows 8 without abandoning the roots that had earned Windows unfaltering ubiquity across the globe. Users had roundly rejected the touch-first, tile-centric design of its predecessor, making it imperative for Microsoft to win back trust without losing sight of the changing hardware landscape or its ambitions for a unified platform.
The result was a kind of hybrid philosophy—keep what's familiar and proven, but don’t shy away from experimenting with new features and paradigms. This philosophy shows in almost every layer of the OS, from the triumphant return and refinement of the Start Menu to new initiatives like Windows Hello and Cortana, both of which hinted at Microsoft's hope to push desktop computing into the future without forcing users to relearn everything.
Yet, the world wasn’t ready to “talk to their computer” for everyday tasks. ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot: these AI companions rose later, and in that pre-AI era, Cortana’s potential was both over-hyped and underutilized. By 2023, Microsoft officially retired Cortana in favor of more advanced AI technologies bundled into Copilot and Bing AI services. The concept, however, foreshadowed today’s wave of conversational computing—even if its execution arrived before its time.
However, such advances come at a cost—hardware obsolescence, limited user autonomy, and increased system “noise.” For large swaths of the user base, especially small businesses, schools, and privacy-conscious individuals, these are not benefits but hurdles.
“These lessons,” longtime community voices argue, “are crucial for Microsoft to remember if they want to retain the loyalty of their most dedicated base while attracting a new generation raised on Chrome OS, MacOS, and mobile devices”.
As Microsoft steers Windows into an AI-augmented, cloud-first, ever-connected era, the lessons and expectations forged in the Windows 10 years will remain as benchmarks. If future versions want to win over skeptical, change-weary users, they must merge innovation with the reassuring sense of control, privacy, and reliability that defined Windows 10’s reign. Only then can Microsoft hope to craft an operating environment that feels, once again, like a true home for both old and new generations of Windows users.
For more community perspectives and technical analysis on Windows 10’s end of life, upgrade strategies, and the evolution to Windows 11 and 12, stay tuned to WindowsForum.com.
Source: TechRadar Windows 10 was, despite its flaws, the best version of Windows – full stop
Windows 10 and the Art of (Careful) Reinvention
From the outset, Windows 10 faced an unusual challenge: to repair the image and usability missteps of Windows 8 without abandoning the roots that had earned Windows unfaltering ubiquity across the globe. Users had roundly rejected the touch-first, tile-centric design of its predecessor, making it imperative for Microsoft to win back trust without losing sight of the changing hardware landscape or its ambitions for a unified platform.The result was a kind of hybrid philosophy—keep what's familiar and proven, but don’t shy away from experimenting with new features and paradigms. This philosophy shows in almost every layer of the OS, from the triumphant return and refinement of the Start Menu to new initiatives like Windows Hello and Cortana, both of which hinted at Microsoft's hope to push desktop computing into the future without forcing users to relearn everything.
Bridging the Old and the New
One of Windows 10’s most lauded strengths was its ability to act as a technological bridge—a careful evolution rather than a revolution, linking the “classic Windows” experience that business users and long-time fans loved with new security, accessibility, and productivity features.- Start Menu Restoration: Gone was the “plain tiles everywhere” approach of Windows 8. Windows 10’s Start Menu offered a comfortably familiar layout, now enhanced with live tiles and user-friendly navigation. Users who valued efficiency and legacy workflows could work as they always had, without unlearning a decade of habits.
- Legacy Software Compatibility: Enterprises and small businesses, in particular, saw Windows 10 as a dependable platform for running legacy software critical to daily operations—often without the costly hardware upgrades or compatibility headaches newer systems might demand.
- Configuration Consistency: Features like the classic Device Manager, traditional Settings options, File Explorer, and (yes) even the inscrutable Windows Registry, were retained, ensuring a gentle learning curve for veteran users.
Refinement and Stability Over Flash
Rather than chasing fleeting trends, Windows 10 took the lessons of its predecessors to heart by prioritizing refinement and stability. After a rocky start, the OS matured through years of cumulative updates: performance tuned, UI bugs squashed, and core experiences optimized. For many, it simply became the “safe choice”—a rare thing in modern tech.Cortana, Hello, and the Daring Swings
While familiarity underpinned Windows 10’s core, Microsoft did introduce a few bold bets.Windows Hello
Years ahead of biometric authentication being mainstream, Windows Hello offered secure, password-free sign-in with facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. While initial adoption was stymied by a hardware gap (many 2015 PCs didn't ship with compatible sensors), the concept set a new bar for device security and ease of use—not easily spoofed, widely praised, and soon standard on premium Surface devices and a growing list of third parties.The Cortana Experiment
Cortana—the voice-activated, conversational digital assistant named after the Halo video game series character—was, at launch, Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant. Integrated directly into the Start Menu and search, it could fetch flight updates, manage system tasks, chat playfully, and search Bing at your command.Yet, the world wasn’t ready to “talk to their computer” for everyday tasks. ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot: these AI companions rose later, and in that pre-AI era, Cortana’s potential was both over-hyped and underutilized. By 2023, Microsoft officially retired Cortana in favor of more advanced AI technologies bundled into Copilot and Bing AI services. The concept, however, foreshadowed today’s wave of conversational computing—even if its execution arrived before its time.
User-Centric Flexibility: Customization, Accounts, and Control
Where Windows 10 truly shone was in its respect for user autonomy.Customization
Power users could personalize almost every aspect of the desktop—move or resize the taskbar, arrange live tiles, and configure the entire UI to taste. This freedom is often cited as a reason users lament Windows 11’s more rigid approach.Local Accounts and Privacy
Unlike its successor, Windows 10 supported easy local account setup. Users weren’t forced to tie their computing lives to a Microsoft account unless they wanted the benefits of OneDrive, cross-device syncing, or Windows Store purchases. With privacy enforcement emerging as a major theme throughout the 2020s, this flexibility resonated strongly with millions seeking tighter control over their data.Update Management
One of the chronic frustrations with modern operating systems is forced, disruptive updates. Windows 10 gave users more nuanced control over when and how updates were applied—a key factor for professionals and enterprises who must minimize downtime and preserve workflow continuity.Critical Analysis: Where Windows 10 Excelled
Looking back, several strengths stand out:- Mature Reliability: Years of cumulative updates led to a robust, well-understood, and mostly predictable operating system.
- Broad Hardware Compatibility: Few OS releases since Windows XP have matched Windows 10's reach—running on everything from decade-old office PCs to bleeding-edge gaming rigs.
- Legacy Application Support: Unlike Windows 11's heavy hardware requirements, Windows 10 could run the vast landscape of Windows software, new and old, with minimal drama.
- Familiarity with Optional Innovation: Major workflow changes were usually optional, not mandatory.
- Balanced Design Philosophy: Risky ideas (Cortana, live tiles) were trialed without forcing wholesale shifts on unwilling users.
The Windows 11 (and Windows 12) Dilemma
Despite some visual similarities, Windows 11 represents a sharp departure in approach—a move met with both excitement and backlash. Among the more contentious changes:Stringent Hardware Requirements
Notably, the enforcement of TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) as a baseline for Windows 11 excluded millions of relatively new machines from upgrading, stoking frustration. While Microsoft’s rationale that “better security is better for everyone” is hard to dispute, the manner and cadence of the requirement’s rollout appeared to favor new device sales over empowering the existing user base.Erosion of Customization
Windows 11 has been criticized for narrowing user control—most notably with a locked and centered taskbar, fewer Start Menu configuration options, and a gradual push away from local accounts toward cloud-based, Microsoft-centric workflows. These steps, for many longtime users, feel regressive and at odds with the flexibility that defined Windows 10.Proliferation of Ads and Telemetry
Perhaps the most disorienting shift for many is Windows 11’s growing embrace of advertising, telemetry, and data collection. From login screen promos to app suggestions and targeted content, Microsoft’s business model has pivoted to monetize the desktop as an “engagement” platform, diluting the OS’s original purpose as a workhorse tool for focused productivity.Settings Incoherence
The dual existence of the classic Control Panel and the new Settings app continues in Windows 11, leading to confused navigation and a lack of integration and polish. Many settings feel fragmented, and the result is new user frustration and diminished confidence in the OS’s direction.Where Windows 11 and 12 Shine—And Lag Behind
In fairness, Windows 11 and the soon-to-come Windows 12 are evolutionary in their own right. Modern iterations introduce long-requested features: a visually overhauled UI, improved built-in apps like Photos, Notepad, and Paint, and AI-powered tools including Copilot and advanced accessibility features. Security, too, is genuinely improved, thanks to hardware-backed protections and granular update controls.However, such advances come at a cost—hardware obsolescence, limited user autonomy, and increased system “noise.” For large swaths of the user base, especially small businesses, schools, and privacy-conscious individuals, these are not benefits but hurdles.
The Lingering Appeal of Windows 10
At its core, Windows 10 succeeded because it represented the best compromise: it learned from the past, avoided the most disruptive fads, and trusted users to know what works best for their needs. Its Action Center, Xbox integration, superior tablet mode for convertibles, and support for local accounts made it a platform that catered to both power users and casual home users.“These lessons,” longtime community voices argue, “are crucial for Microsoft to remember if they want to retain the loyalty of their most dedicated base while attracting a new generation raised on Chrome OS, MacOS, and mobile devices”.
Risks and Future-Proofing Beyond 2025
Security and Support End
The most sobering reality is Windows 10’s approaching end-of-life: October 14, 2025, marks the cessation of security updates. Without support, even the most loyal users will find themselves at risk—exposed to rapidly evolving threats with no official recourse.Forced Upgrades and Hardware Exclusion
For those running older hardware or bespoke business applications, the move to Windows 11 or 12 will be costly or even impossible. Demanding new features and protections cannot magically retrofit into established infrastructure, and Microsoft’s "update or be left behind" stance risks further alienating customers.Compatibility Gaps
As ecosystem partners follow Microsoft’s lead, support for older software, drivers, and hardware will inevitably wane, creating an upgrade treadmill that some users will simply refuse to join, driving them toward alternatives or "frozen" legacy installations increasingly vulnerable to attack.Looking Forward: A Legacy That Matters
The story of Windows 10 is not just about technical achievements or business strategies—it’s also about the emotional resonance of familiarity and trust. For a decade, it provided a safe harbor between rapid change and the comfort of the known. Its strengths—reliability, flexibility, and a careful evolution anchored in user feedback—are now etched in the memory of hundreds of millions of users worldwide.As Microsoft steers Windows into an AI-augmented, cloud-first, ever-connected era, the lessons and expectations forged in the Windows 10 years will remain as benchmarks. If future versions want to win over skeptical, change-weary users, they must merge innovation with the reassuring sense of control, privacy, and reliability that defined Windows 10’s reign. Only then can Microsoft hope to craft an operating environment that feels, once again, like a true home for both old and new generations of Windows users.
For more community perspectives and technical analysis on Windows 10’s end of life, upgrade strategies, and the evolution to Windows 11 and 12, stay tuned to WindowsForum.com.
Source: TechRadar Windows 10 was, despite its flaws, the best version of Windows – full stop
