Here we are in 2025, and Windows 10 is still kicking around. It’s funny to think about, really. This operating system has been with a lot of us for a long time, since 2015. A whole decade. Now, with its official end-of-support date this year, people are talking. Is it still any good? What are the Windows 10 operating system features that made people stick with it for so long, even with Windows 11 trying to get all the attention.
The thing is, for many people Windows 10 just works. It’s familiar. It’s like an old pair of shoes. You know exactly how it feels, and you don’t have to think about it. It’s a stable platform that, for the most part, does what you tell it to. The comfort of it all is probably its biggest feature at this point.
The Everyday Stuff You Don’t Even Notice Anymore
So let’s talk about the features. The ones we actually use. The Start Menu is a big one. Remember Windows 8? Yeah, everyone does. Windows 10 brought back a Start Menu that made sense. It’s a mix of the old list-style from Windows 7 and some of the live tiles from 8. You can customize it, pin your apps, and find things without a big fuss. It is considered to be a solid design.
Then there’s the Action Center. It’s that little speech bubble icon in the corner of your screen. All your notifications from apps and the system itself they just pile up in there. It’s also where you get quick settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and screen brightness. A pretty handy little spot for everything.
And who could forget Cortana. Well, a lot of us have. Cortana was supposed to be this big personal assistant. It was built right into the search bar. You could ask it questions and set reminders. It’s a feature that sort of faded over time, but it was a central piece of the Windows 10 experience for a while there. Normally people just use the search bar to find files now.
The Task View button is another one. That little icon next to the search bar. It lets you see all your open windows at once. And it’s also how you get to Virtual Desktops which is a thing we will get to later. For just managing your open stuff, it’s pretty good.
Digging a Little Deeper: Tools for Power Users
Windows 10 isn’t just for checking email. It has some real power under the hood, which is why a lot of tech-savvy people and gamers really liked it. These are features that you might not use every single day but they’re there when you need them. And they are a big deal.
For the Gamers
Gaming on Windows 10 got a lot of attention. A main feature is DirectX 12. Basically, it’s a tool that lets games talk more directly to your graphics card. The result is meant to be better performance and cooler graphics. It was a big step up from what came before.
Then they added Gaming Mode. When you turn this on, Windows is supposed to give your game priority. It tries to stop background tasks from using up your computer’s power. Does it work perfectly? The opinions on that are mixed. But the idea was solid.
Game Bar: You can hit a keyboard shortcut to bring up an overlay.
Recording: This lets you record clips of your gameplay.
Performance Metrics: You can see your computer’s performance while you play.
For the Coders and Tech Folks
One of the biggest things for developers was the Windows Subsystem for Linux, or WSL. This was huge. It lets you run a real Linux environment right inside Windows. No need for a separate computer or a slow virtual machine. You could run Linux tools and apps seamlessly. It is the thing that kept many developers from switching to a Mac or a full Linux computer.
For the Multitaskers
Virtual Desktops are a lifesaver if you have a lot going on. You can create separate desktop spaces. Maybe one for your work stuff, one for personal things, and one for a project. It helps keep your screen from getting impossibly cluttered. You can switch between them easily.
Snap Assist is also a really simple but effective tool. You drag a window to the side of the screen, and it snaps to fill that half. Then it shows you your other open windows so you can pick one for the other half. It makes side-by-side work so much easier.
What About Security in 2025?
This is the big question, isn’t it? With support ending in October 2025, safety is a concern. For its entire life, though, Windows 10 has had some good built-in protection. Windows Defender, which is now called Microsoft Defender, got a lot better over the years. It’s a full antivirus program that comes free with the OS. It does a decent job protecting you from nasty stuff online.
Windows Hello is another neat security feature. It lets you log in with your face or fingerprint if your computer has the right hardware. It’s faster and generally more secure than typing in a password every time. Many laptops from the Windows 10 era have this built in.
But here is the problem. After October 2025, Microsoft will stop sending out security updates for most versions of Windows 10. That means any new viruses or security holes that are found, they won’t be patched. Using it online after that date will be a risk. It is a fact that this is the main reason people are finally thinking about moving on.
The Big Decision: Windows 10 or Windows 11?
So why are people still using Windows 10 when Windows 11 is out? There are a couple of big reasons. The first is hardware. Windows 11 has some very specific computer requirements. A lot of older machines that run Windows 10 perfectly fine just can’t officially upgrade. People don’t want to buy a new computer just for a new operating system.
The second reason is just personal preference. Some people really don’t like the changes in Windows 11. The centered Taskbar and redesigned Start Menu feel strange to them. They prefer the classic layout of Windows 10. It’s familiar, and they know where everything is. They don’t see a good reason to change something that isn’t broken for them.
Windows 10 is considered to be the last of its kind in some ways. It’s the final evolution of the traditional Windows desktop we’ve known for decades. Windows 11 is a clear step in a new direction. Whether that direction is good or bad is really up to the individual person using the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the single best feature of Windows 10?
That’s tough because it depends on who you ask. For most people, its best feature is probably its stability and familiar user interface, especially the Start Menu. It just works without surprises.
2. Can I keep using Windows 10 after the October 2025 end-of-life date?
Technically, yes, your computer will still turn on and run. But it will not receive any more security updates from Microsoft, which makes it very risky to use on the internet.
3. Is Windows 10 still a good choice for gaming in 2025?
Yes, it’s still very good for gaming. It supports DirectX 12 and has features like Gaming Mode and the Game Bar. Nearly every PC game released today still runs perfectly on it.
4. What is the Action Center used for?
The Action Center is a panel on the side of the screen that collects all your notifications from apps and the system. It also has quick-access buttons for settings like Wi-Fi, Airplane Mode, and screen brightness.
5. Why would someone stay on Windows 10 instead of upgrading to Windows 11?
The main reasons are either their computer hardware isn’t compatible with Windows 11’s strict requirements, or they simply prefer the look and feel of the Windows 10 interface and don’t want to change.
Key Takeaways
Windows 10 is still popular in 2025 because it’s familiar, stable, and just works for a lot of people.
Features like the classic Start Menu, Action Center, and Snap Assist make it easy to use for everyday tasks.
For advanced users, things like the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and DirectX 12 for gaming are big draws.
The biggest issue is security, as Microsoft is ending support in October 2025, which will make it unsafe to use online.
The choice between Windows 10 and 11 often comes down to hardware limitations or a personal preference for the older, more traditional desktop layout.
