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Windows 10 is so popular that Windows 11 only overtook it in terms of usage just a few months ago. That’s why I’m surprised that Microsoft is still, kind of, going ahead with its end of support cutoff today. At one point last year, I wasn’t sure if Microsoft was actually going to end support for Windows 10 on time. The software giant randomly reopened Windows 10 beta testing to add new features and improvements to a 10-year-old operating system…….Continue reading….
By: Tom Warren
Source: The Verge
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Critics:
Windows 10 makes its user experience and functionality more consistent between different classes of device, and addresses many shortcomings of the user interface introduced in Windows 8. Windows 10 Mobile, the successor to Windows Phone 8.1, shared some user interface elements and apps with its PC counterpart.Windows 10 supports universal apps, an expansion of the Metro-style first introduced in Windows 8.
Both interfaces include an updated Start menu which incorporates elements of Windows 7’s traditional Start menu with the tiles of Windows 8. Windows 10 also introduced the Microsoft Edge web browser, a virtual desktop system, a window and desktop management feature called Task View, support for fingerprint and face recognition login, new security features for enterprise environments, and DirectX 12.
The Windows Runtime app ecosystem was revised into the Universal Windows Platform (UWP). These universal apps are made to run across multiple platforms and device classes, including smartphones, tablets, Xbox One consoles, and other devices compatible with Windows 10. Windows apps share code across platforms, have responsive designs that adapt to the needs of the device and available inputs.
It can synchronize data between Windows 10 devices (including notifications, credentials, and allowing cross-platform multiplayer for games), and are distributed through the Microsoft Store (rebranded from Windows Store since September 2017). Developers can allow “cross-buys”, where purchased licenses for an app apply to all of the user’s compatible devices, rather than only the one they purchased on (e.g., a user purchasing an app on PC is also entitled to use the smartphone version at no extra cost).
The ARM version of Windows 10 allows running applications for x86 processors through 32-bit software emulation. On Windows 10, the Microsoft Store serves as a unified storefront for apps, video content, and eBooks. Windows 10 also allows web apps and desktop software (using either Win32 or .NET Framework) to be packaged for distribution on the Microsoft Store. Desktop software distributed through Windows Store is packaged using the App-V system to allow sandboxing.
Windows 10 was originally released following Microsoft’s fixed lifecycle policy, receiving mainstream support for five years after its original release, followed by five years of extended support. However, starting in February 2018 this was switched to the modern lifecycle policy (excluding LTSC), with each version receiving 18 or 30 (only for H2 versions) months of support after release, depending on edition.
Furthermore, Home edition does not support the deferral of feature updates and will thus often receive a new version of Windows 10 prior to the end of the 18-month support period. Microsoft will continue to support at least one standard Windows 10 release until October 14, 2025. On April 27, 2023, Microsoft announced that version 22H2 would be the last of Windows 10, meaning this version will extend beyond the normal 18/30 months of support.
Microsoft’s support lifecycle policy for the operating system notes that updates “are cumulative, with each update built upon all of the updates that preceded it”, that “a device needs to install the latest update to remain supported.
Device’s ability to receive future updates will depend on hardware compatibility, driver availability, and whether the device is within the OEM’s “support period”—a new aspect not accounted for in lifecycle policies for previous versions.This policy was first invoked in 2017 to block Intel Clover Trail devices from receiving the Creators Update.
As Microsoft asserts that future updates “require additional hardware support to provide the best possible experience”, and that Intel no longer provided support or drivers for the platform. Microsoft stated that these devices would no longer receive feature updates, but would still receive security updates through January 2023.
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