Windows 10 is a major release of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system. The successor to Windows 8.1, it was released to manufacturing on July 15, 2015, to retail on July 29, 2015, and was a free upgrade to users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. Unlike previous Windows NT releases, Windows 10 received new builds on an ongoing basis, available at no additional cost; devices in enterprise environments can alternatively use long-term support milestones that only receive critical updates, such as security patches. It was succeeded by Windows 11 in October 2021.
In contrast to the tablet-oriented approach of Windows 8, Microsoft provided the desktop-oriented interface in line with previous versions of Windows. Other features included Xbox Live integration, Cortana virtual assistant, virtual desktops and the improved Settings component. Microsoft Edge replaced Internet Explorer. As with previous versions, Windows 10 has been developed primarily for x86 processors; in 2018, a version of Windows 10 for ARM processors was released.
Windows 10 received generally positive reviews. Praise was given to the return of the desktop interface, improved bundled software compared to Windows 8.1, and other capabilities, while criticism was directed at behavioral changes such as mandatory update installation, privacy concerns over data collection, and adware-like tactics used to promote the operating system on release. Microsoft aimed to have Windows 10 installed on over one billion devices within three years of its release; ultimately, that goal was reached almost five years later on March 16, 2020. It surpassed Windows 7 as the most popular version of Windows worldwide by January 2018, till Windows 11 took the top spot in June 2025. As of August 2025, Windows 10 is the second-most used version of Windows, accounting for 43% of the worldwide market share, while its successor, Windows 11, holds 53%. Windows 10 is the second-most-used traditional PC operating system, with a 31% share of users.
Windows 10 is the last version of Microsoft Windows that supports 32-bit processors (IA-32 and ARMv7-based) and the last major version to support 64-bit processors that do not meet the x86-x64-v2 (i.e., having POPCNT and SSE4.2) or ARMv8.1 specifications, across all minor versions. It is also the last version to officially lack a CPU model check before installation (with a whitelist), support BIOS firmware, and support systems with TPM 1.2 or no TPM at all. Support for Windows 10 editions not in the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) or enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program ended on October 14, 2025.
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