Windows 10 is the current operating system developed by Microsoft as part of the family of Windows NT operating systems.
What is Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System, What Are Its Features, Versions, and Types?
Windows 10 was officially introduced in September 2014, followed by a short demo presentation at the Build 2014 conference. It entered a beta testing phase in October 2014 and was made publicly available on July 29, 2015, for users.
This wonderful system of Microsoft started with the MS-DOS system launched in 1982 and running directly in a command console with the first Intel processors.
In 1985, its name became Windows, with a graphical user interface (GUI) added to the MS-DOS system. The first developed GUI was called Windows 1.0.
In 1987, Windows 2.0 was released, and in the 2.03 version, the superimposition of windows was improved.
With the release of Windows 3.0 and 31 versions in 1992 after Microsoft’s first works, this infrastructure completely ended and another era began.
Targeting users and wanting to maximize usability, Microsoft introduced Windows 95 in 1995.
A more advanced GUI was designed with Windows 95, and also Kernel was completely changed, and the operating system structure was changed to Windows NT.
This system was a taskbar, start button, and an operating system with plug and play. Then, in 1998, Windows 98 was released and after two years, Windows 2000 was announced.
With the announcement of Windows XP in 2001, with the release of Home and Professional versions, it became a safer Windows NT based operating system.
Later, Windows 7 appeared, including multitouch support and the new management of user accounts such as improved network and file features. This system was much faster than WinXP and WinVista.
After these old systems, which contributed to making Windows 10 a stable and secure OS, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 systems emerged, creating a completely different view. Win8/8.1 systems, including a brand new theme, start menu, and quick search, emerged as a structure that can be installed on multiple devices right after Windows 7.
After all this Windows story, MS called the media to an event on September 30, 2014, showing a preview of Windows 10. But the media thought Microsoft’s next-generation platform would be officially released in April 2015.
Then, on September 30, 2014, MS introduced Windows 10 as a unified system for computers, tablets, smartphones, and desktop console.
According to the latest news, the Technical Preview version of the system includes a new start menu, changes to some icons, notification center, borderless windows, dialog boxes, multiple desktops, a new version of Internet Explorer 11, error reporting application, and Metro/Modern UI applications. It included new features such as the possibility to run in full-screen mode.
In addition, the company would enable Microsoft’s voice assistant Cortana’s Windows Phone mobile systems to run on Windows 10.
Microsoft Corporation eventually announced on September 30, 2014, a new OS called Windows 10, not Windows 9.
On October 3, 2014, Microsoft released a beta version of Windows 10 on its website, which includes only American English, British English, Portuguese, Chinese and Russian languages.
The Windows 10 technical preview was primarily a system for corporate users and the community. On January 21, 2015, Microsoft planned to announce consumer-focused features and other details that include the new operating system at future events.
On January 21, a new desktop theme, improved notification center, Microsoft Spartan, a new version of Windows Store, Cortana, and DirectX 12 were presented at the conference.
Design, Features, and Development
Microsoft has announced its free availability for one year from the release date for users with genuine Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows 8.1 operating systems to encourage and increase usage.
In June 2015, a tool was activated to let you know when it’s ready to download updates for user devices. Also, those who participate in the Windows Insider program can get a Windows 10 license after meeting certain terms and conditions.
Microsoft introduced a Universal application architecture. Developed with a modern UI interface and architecture, these apps can be designed and run to run on almost any Microsoft product family with almost the same code, including personal computers, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub and HoloLens.
The user interface has been revised to switch between a mouse-oriented and touch-screen-oriented interface based on available input devices.
Both interfaces have an updated Start menu with a layout similar to Windows 8 and Windows 7.
In addition, Windows 10 system, Task View, virtual desktop system, Microsoft Edge web browser, and other new or updated applications, built-in support for fingerprint or facial recognition input, new security features for business environments, DirectX 12 to improve graphics capabilities for video games and WDDM 2.0 features.
Microsoft has identified Windows 10 as a service that can receive constant updates for both the system and its features and functionality.
In addition, Microsoft has developed it as a system that can receive critical updates, such as security patches, during its five-year overall support life, with the ability to receive non-critical updates at a slower rate.
Terry Myerson, Deputy General Manager for Windows and Devices Group for Windows, demonstrated that the objectives of this system were designed in this direction since it aimed to install Windows 10 on at least one billion devices for two or three years after Microsoft launched.
Targeting this, Terry Myerson received generally positive reviews the day Windows 10 was released.
Critics have welcomed the decision to use the user interface offered by Windows 8 and Windows 10 in a non-touch environment to provide the same desktop-oriented interface as Microsoft’s previous versions of Windows.
However, it has been criticized for the use of the Windows 8 interface for touch-oriented user interfaces.
Critics also welcomed Win10 promotional software enhancements on Win8.1, integration of Xbox Live, Cortana’s functionality, and replacement of Internet Explorer with Microsoft Edge.
The user was deauthorized to control some processes and all updates were automatically installed by the Windows Update service.
Besides targeting to develop this system as a basic OS for different devices such as Microsoft PC, desktop, tablet, Xbox, and Windows Phone, it also provided the opportunity to install Windows Phone 10 ROM on some Android devices.
Developed Search System
Windows 10 includes a search system that indexes all files on the hard drive from the moment of installation. This search box can be accessed from the taskbar.
All the folders or files on your computer will be scanned and listed, with a search text typed in this search box.
It is the safest and most stable, even for companies sought by the gaming community. Most features have been removed to optimize performance. This version receives critical security updates.
It is a light version of Windows for mobile devices.
Windows 10 S
It is an enterprise version but includes extra protection tools such as AppLocker, DirectAccess, or Device Guard. It is a lightweight version and is for educational platforms.
It is a version targeting Surface Hub computers used in meeting rooms. For example, a whiteboard application and Skype for Business.
The Pro Education version is for organizations such as SMB that do not need advanced remote management features of the Enterprise-based version.
It is a system similar to Windows Embedded for programmable devices such as Raspberry and devices that are generally compatible with the Internet of Things.
N and KN Version
These versions were released by the European Commission’s decision in 2004, which was determined to be anti-competitive practices by Microsoft. Basically, all media-related applications have been removed from the systems. If you want to install this feature, the Media Feature Pack package needs to be installed.
Windows 10 Versions (Stable)
Version 1511 (November Update)
Version 1511 is the second Stable version of Windows 10 and Build Number is 10586. This update was distributed on November 12, 2015, with Windows Update.
Version 1607 (Anniversary Update)
The code for Windows 10 is the first release of the Redstone (RS1) series, and the third stable version is (1607). This update was distributed with an update released on August 2, 2016.
This update includes stylus support, Cortana enhancements, and Windows Ink platform improvements. It also includes the new version of the Skype application and the offline browsing feature of Windows Defender.
Redstone supports the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature to run Ubuntu-based binary programs.
Version 1703 (Creators Update)
The 1703 version, called Redstone 2, the fourth stable version of Windows 10, was released on October 26, 2016, with an update.
This version can also be installed manually with the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant and the Media Creation Tool.
This update includes enhancements to content creation, productivity, and game features to help create virtual reality and three-dimensional content.
In addition, thanks to the Game Mode feature that supports playing more enjoyable and performance games on the computer, it was possible for the computer hardware to provide prioritization and optimization for the games.
With this version, the Defender application that provides the security of computers was developed and changed to Windows Defender Security Center.
Version 1709 (Fall Creators Update)
The fifth stable version of Windows 10, 1709, was called Redstone 3 and was distributed with the update released on October 17, 2017.
This version introduces a new feature called My People on the taskbar on the desktop, which allows it to perform actions such as Skype, Email, or message.
It also helps protect important folders from ransomware with the Controlled Folder Access feature in Windows Defender Security Center.
Version 1803 (April 2018 Update)
The sixth stable version of Windows 10 was named 1803, Redstone 4. This version was released on April 30, 2018, with both manual and automatic updates.
The main feature of this version is the Timeline. This feature provides easy accessibility by providing a list of users’ recent actions.
Version 1809 (October 2018 Update)
The seventh stable version of Windows 10 was named 1809, Redstone 5. This version was released on October 2, 2018, with an update.
This version includes Clipboard, SwiftKey virtual keyboard, Snip & Sketch, and new File Explorer themed Dark theme.
Version 1903 (May 2019 Update)
Microsoft finished the Redstone code series and started developing a new structure. The eighth stable version of Windows 10, 1903, was called the code 19H1.
This version offers an additional SMS-approved security option on computers signed in with Microsoft accounts. In addition, it allows you to run Windows desktop applications within Windows Mixed Reality. It also includes the SandBox feature, which allows users to run applications in a secure Hyper-V based environment.
In addition, it has a new feature called Game Bar.
Version 1909 (November 2019 Update)
1909, the ninth stable version of Windows 10, was called the 19H2 code. This version was released with the update on November 12, 2019, without any new additional features.
Version 2004 (May 2020 Update)
2004, the tenth stable version of Windows 10, was named with the 20H1 code. After being used as Insider Release Preview, it was distributed to users on May 27, 2020, with the update.
This version basically includes the following features;