Windows 10’s Legacy: What It Got Right and What Went Wrong

The year 2025 marked a definitive turning point for Windows 10, the operating system once hailed as the “last version of Windows.” While Microsoft’s formal end-of-support date arrived in October, the OS’s influence and usage are on a clear decline. StatCounter data confirms Windows 11 has now surpassed Windows 10 as the most-used version globally, a shift reflected in its shrinking share on platforms like the Steam Hardware Survey. Though extended security updates offer a temporary reprieve for some, the ecosystem is moving on, with software and hardware developers beginning to phase out official support. This transition invites a look back at Windows 10’s complex legacy, a system celebrated for its stability and reach, yet one that also planted the seeds for many contemporary criticisms of Microsoft’s approach.

Windows 10 earned its reputation as a “good” version of Windows, achieving a level of widespread adoption not seen since the era of Windows XP. Its success was built on a foundation of familiarity and reliability, offering a refined version of the classic desktop experience that users understood. The free upgrade campaign from Windows 7 and 8 was a masterstroke, rapidly building an immense installed base. For many, it struck the right balance, providing a stable platform for work and play without the radical interface overhauls that had alienated users in the past. This period represented a high-water mark for desktop cohesion, cementing Windows 10’s place as a beloved workhorse.

However, a closer examination reveals that numerous user grievances commonly associated with Windows 11 actually originated in the Windows 10 era. The shift towards a service model, with frequent feature updates that could disrupt workflow, began here. So did the increasing integration of advertising and promotional content within the operating system itself, from suggested apps on the Start Menu to notifications pushing Microsoft services. The initial versions of the Microsoft Store, though improved, launched with significant limitations. Perhaps most critically, Windows 10 introduced a new level of data collection and telemetry, setting a precedent for privacy concerns that would only intensify. These elements established a new normal where the OS felt less like a static tool and more like a constantly evolving, and sometimes intrusive, platform.

Microsoft’s subsequent decisions with Windows 11 have often amplified these foundational issues. The stricter hardware requirements for Windows 11, including TPM 2.0 and modern CPUs, left many capable Windows 10 devices officially unable to upgrade, creating a fragmentation headache. The redesigned interface, while modern, removed or buried familiar options, increasing user friction. The integration of ads and recommendations has become more pervasive, appearing in settings menus and the file explorer. Furthermore, the push towards cloud accounts and AI features like Copilot continues the trajectory of a more managed, service-oriented experience. In many ways, Windows 11 did not create a new set of problems but instead doubled down on the controversial directions first charted by its predecessor.

The legacy of Windows 10 is therefore a tapestry of triumph and tension. It provided a robust and dominant platform that defined computing for nearly a decade, successfully bridging the gap between traditional desktop paradigms and the cloud-centric future. Yet, its service model and design choices normalized practices that have led to growing user frustration. As the industry moves beyond it, Windows 10 stands as both a pinnacle of the old guard and the clear blueprint for the modern Windows experience, for better and for worse. Its story is a reminder that in software, today’s solutions often become tomorrow’s constraints.

(Source: Ars Technica)