Windows 10 facts for kids

{{Infobox OS | name = Windows 10 | logo = Windows 10_Logo.svg | logo_size = 200px | screenshot = Windows 10 desktop.png | caption = Screenshot of Windows 10, showing the Start menu and Action Center in light theme | version of = Windows NT | developer = Microsoft | family = Microsoft Windows

| programmed in =

| source_model =

| RTM date = July 15, 2015; 10 years ago (2015-07-15) | GA date = July 29, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-07-29) | marketing target = Personal computing | language count = 110 | language footnote =

| language =

Windows 10 is a computer operating system made by Microsoft. It is part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. Windows 10 was released on July 29, 2015. It was a free upgrade for people who had Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

Unlike older Windows versions, Windows 10 gets new updates regularly. These updates add new features and fixes. Windows 10 was replaced by Windows 11 on October 5, 2021.

Windows 10 brought back the familiar desktop look. This was different from Windows 8, which was more for tablets. New features included Xbox Live games, the Cortana helper, and virtual desktops. It also replaced Internet Explorer with Microsoft Edge.

Many people liked Windows 10 when it first came out. They liked the return of the desktop and better software. By January 2018, Windows 10 became the most used Windows version. It is still very popular today.

Windows 10 is the last version of Windows to support older 32-bit processors. Support for most Windows 10 versions ends on October 14, 2025.

How Windows 10 Was Made

Microsoft wanted to create one system for all devices. This included PCs, smartphones, and tablets. They called this project "Threshold."

In April 2014, Microsoft showed an early version of Windows 10. It allowed apps from the Microsoft Store to run in windows on the desktop. It also brought back a Start menu similar to Windows 7.

Microsoft also introduced "universal Windows apps." These apps could work on Windows PCs, Windows Phone, and Xbox One. They would share the same basic code.

Announcing Windows 10

On September 30, 2014, Microsoft officially announced Windows 10. They said it would be a single platform for many devices. This included desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones.

Microsoft explained why they skipped "Windows 9." They said Windows 10 was a big step forward. It was not just a small update from Windows 8.1.

More details about Windows 10 were shared on January 21, 2015. This included Cortana, new Xbox features, and Windows 10 Mobile. They also showed HoloLens, which is augmented reality eyewear.

Microsoft also showed how developers could make apps for all Windows 10 devices. They even showed Candy Crush Saga running on it. This game was later included with Windows 10.

A Microsoft employee once said Windows 10 would be the "last version of Windows." This meant they planned to update it constantly. However, in 2021, Microsoft announced Windows 11. This showed that Windows 10 was not the final version after all.

How Windows 10 Was Advertised

Microsoft started an advertising campaign called "Upgrade Your World." It focused on new features that made Windows 10 more "personal." The campaign ended with launch events in 13 cities on July 29, 2015.

Releasing Windows 10

Windows 10 was released on July 29, 2015. It was available as a free upgrade for many users. It was also sold in stores.

The main version of Windows 10 was called build 10240. It was released to testers before the official launch. Windows 10 was available in 190 countries and 111 languages.

In China, Microsoft worked with companies like Qihoo and Tencent. They helped promote and distribute Windows 10 there. Retail copies of Windows 10 came on USB flash drives.

Free Upgrade Offer

For its first year, Windows 10 was a free upgrade. This was for devices with a real copy of Windows 7 or 8.1. This offer did not apply to special Enterprise versions.

When you upgraded, your computer got a "Digital license." This license was linked to your computer's hardware. If you reinstalled Windows 10 on the same computer, it would activate automatically.

The "Get Windows 10" app helped people upgrade. It was installed through Windows Update. Users could reserve their free download.

The free upgrade offer officially ended on December 31, 2017. However, some people found ways to still upgrade for free. Microsoft officially stopped this method on September 20, 2023.

How Windows 10 Licenses Work

Windows 10 licenses are not tied to a product key in the same way as older versions. Instead, your computer's hardware is registered with Microsoft. This creates a "Digital license."

If you reinstall Windows 10 on the same computer, it will activate automatically. You usually don't need to enter a product key. However, if you change major parts of your computer, like the motherboard, you might need to reactivate it.

What Windows 10 Can Do

Windows 10 was designed to work well on different devices. It made the experience similar for PCs, tablets, and phones. Windows 10 Mobile shared many features with the PC version.

Windows 10 supports "universal apps." These apps can run on many Microsoft devices. This includes PCs, tablets, smartphones, and Xbox One. They share similar code and can adapt to different screen sizes.

The Windows interface changes depending on how you use your device. It has a mode for mouse and keyboard and a "Tablet mode" for touchscreens. You can switch between these modes easily.

The "Task View" display is a new feature to Windows 10, allowing the use of multiple workspaces.

User Interface and Desktop

The Start menu in Windows 10 combines old and new features. It has a list of apps on the left and live tiles on the right. You can resize the menu or make it full screen.

A new feature called Task View lets you use multiple virtual desktops. You can switch between open windows and different workspaces. Universal apps can now run in their own windows, not just full screen.

The "Charms" menu from Windows 8 was removed. Instead, there's the Action Center. This shows notifications and quick settings. The Settings app was also updated with more options.

Windows 10 adapts its look for different devices. In Tablet mode, apps open full screen. The taskbar changes to make it easier to use with touch.

System Security

Windows Hello unlock prompt while using Enpass (a password manager)

Windows 10 has better security features. It includes Windows Hello. This lets you log in with your face or fingerprint if your device has the right camera or scanner. Your login information is kept safe on your device.

Windows Hello also supports logging in with a PIN. A PIN is linked to your device and is very secure. It's different from a regular password.

For businesses, Windows 10 has more security tools. These include features to encrypt data and block unknown software. This helps protect against new threats.

Command Line

The command line windows (like Windows Command Prompt) were improved. You can now resize them freely and make them full screen. You can also use standard keyboard shortcuts like copy and paste.

The Anniversary Update added Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). This lets you run Linux command-line programs directly on Windows. You can get Linux versions from the Microsoft Store.

Storage Needs

Windows 10 automatically compresses system files. This helps save space on your computer. It can save about 1.5 GB on 32-bit systems and 2.6 GB on 64-bit systems.

The system also uses less space for recovery files. This means updates can stay installed even after you reset your computer. Windows 10 also has a setting to show how your storage is being used.

Online Services and Features

Microsoft Edge is the main web browser in Windows 10. It was designed to be fast and work well with modern websites. Internet Explorer 11 is still there for older websites but is no longer supported for most users since mid-2022.

Windows 10 has a search bar next to the Start button. It used to include Cortana, a digital assistant. Cortana could search files, set reminders, and launch apps. Since late 2019, Cortana has focused more on business use.

Microsoft Family Safety helps parents manage their children's computer use. Parents can set limits on websites and app purchases. These settings work across all Windows 10 devices linked to a child's Microsoft account.

Windows 10 also had a Wi-Fi Sense feature. It could automatically connect to open Wi-Fi hotspots. It could also share your home Wi-Fi password with contacts, but they couldn't see the password. This feature is no longer widely used.

Multimedia and Gaming

Windows 10 works well with the Xbox system. The Xbox Console Companion app lets you see your game library. You can also record gameplay using the Game Bar.

You can even play games from an Xbox One console on your Windows 10 PC. This works over your home network. New Xbox controllers also work with Windows 10 using an adapter.

Games like Candy Crush Saga and Microsoft Solitaire Collection are automatically installed.

Windows 10 supports new audio and video formats like FLAC and HEVC. It also includes DirectX 12. This technology helps games run faster and look better.

Different Versions and Prices

Windows 10 comes in different versions for personal computers. These include Home and Pro editions. Home is for everyday users, and Pro is for advanced users and small businesses.

Each version includes all the features of the one below it. For example, Pro has extra networking and security features. Enterprise and Education versions have even more features for large organizations.

Microsoft also made Windows 10 Mobile for smartphones and tablets. There are also versions for special devices like embedded systems and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

In 2017, Microsoft showed Windows 10 S. This version was for education and only allowed apps from the Microsoft Store. You could upgrade to Windows 10 Pro to install other software. Later, Windows 10 S became "S Mode." This is an option where Windows only allows Store apps, but you can turn it off for free.

How Long Windows 10 Is Supported

Microsoft supports Windows 10 for a certain period. Each version gets updates for 18 or 30 months. This depends on the edition. Microsoft will support at least one version of Windows 10 until October 14, 2025.

On April 27, 2023, Microsoft announced that version 22H2 would be the last major update for Windows 10. This means it will be supported for longer than usual.

Extended Security Updates

Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10. These updates provide security fixes after normal support ends. This service is available until October 2028.

For the first time, individual users can also get ESU for one year. Businesses and schools can get it for longer. The price for ESU increases each year.

Updates and Support

Unlike older Windows versions, Windows Update automatically downloads and installs all updates. This includes security fixes and new features. You can choose when your computer restarts to install them.

If you have a "metered" internet connection (like a phone hotspot), most updates won't download automatically. This saves your data.

Sometimes, updates can cause problems. Microsoft provides a tool to uninstall bad updates.

Windows Update can also share updates between computers. This means your computer might help send updates to other users. You can turn this off if you want.

Preview Releases

Microsoft has a program called Windows Insider. People in this program get early versions of Windows 10. This helps Microsoft test new features and find bugs. These preview versions continue to be released even after the main version is out.

Versions

Feature Updates

Windows 10 is like a "service" because it gets regular "feature updates." These updates add new features and improvements. Microsoft used to release these updates twice a year, in March and September.

Before version 1903, how often you got updates depended on your "release channel." Most users were on the "Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted)." Businesses could use the "Semi-Annual Channel" for broader deployment.

The Windows Insider program gets unstable builds more often. It has "Dev" and "Beta" channels for different testing speeds.

Some businesses use the Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC edition. "LTSC" means "Long-Term Servicing Channel." These versions only get security updates and are supported for 5 or 10 years. They are for special devices like ATMs.

In 2019, Microsoft changed how updates are delivered. Feature updates are no longer automatically pushed to users. You can choose when to install them. Since November 2021, Microsoft releases feature updates once a year.

System Requirements

To install Windows 10, your computer needs to meet certain requirements. The minimum disk space needed is 32 GB. Windows also reserves some space for future updates.

Some devices are "certified" by Microsoft. These devices have specific buttons and features.

Windows 10 is the only version of Windows that Microsoft officially supports on newer processors. This means older Windows versions might not work well on very new computers.

Since version 2004, new computers must use 64-bit processors for Windows 10. However, 32-bit versions of Windows 10 are still available for older computers.

Memory Limits

The amount of RAM Windows 10 can use depends on the version. All 32-bit versions support up to 4 GB of RAM. 64-bit Home edition supports up to 128 GB. Other 64-bit versions can support much more, up to 6 TB.

Processor Limits

Windows 10 can work with up to two physical processors. It supports up to 32 cores in 32-bit versions. 64-bit versions can support up to 256 cores.

See also

In Spanish: Windows 10 para niños

• Comparison of operating systems
• History of operating systems
• List of operating systems
• Microsoft Windows version history
• List of Microsoft Windows versions