Windows 10: The “Last Version” of Windows That Wasn’t
When Microsoft released Windows 10 in 2015, there were reputedly claims that Windows 10 would be the “last version” of Windows. Instead of releasing entirely new operating systems, Microsoft promised continuous updates under the “Windows as a Service” model. Fast forward to 2021, and Microsoft unveiled Windows 11, leaving many users wondering: What happened to “the last version of Windows”?
The Promise of Windows 10 as the Final OS
There has always been much debate as to whether this promise was actually made. The tech industry was shifting toward cloud-based and subscription models, and Windows 10 was designed to receive regular feature updates rather than full OS replacements. Microsoft’s then-developer evangelist, Jerry Nixon, famously stated at Ignite 2015:
“Right now we’re releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we’re all still working on Windows 10.”
This led many to believe that Windows 10 would evolve indefinitely, with no need for a Windows 11 or 12.
So Why Did Windows 11 Happen?
To Be honest I think that the idea of an OS remaining with a static name and version is highly unlikely, people always want the impression of getting something new, the latest and greatest, and so the Windows versions will march on. Here are the main reasons why Microsoft want to progress to 11:
1. Hardware Advancements
Modern PCs now feature advanced security (like TPM 2.0), AI capabilities, and high-performance chips that Windows 10 wasn’t fully optimized for. Windows 11 was designed to leverage these technologies.
2. Competition & Modern Design
Apple’s macOS updates and Chrome OS’s growth pushed Microsoft to modernize Windows with a fresh UI (centered Start menu, rounded corners, Snap Layouts). Windows 10’s design was starting to look dated.
3. Security Concerns
Windows 10’s architecture couldn’t fully support newer security standards. Windows 11 enforces TPM and Secure Boot, making it more resilient against modern threats.
4. Changing User Expectations
With hybrid work and gaming becoming more demanding, Microsoft needed an OS built for today’s workflows—hence Windows 11’s focus on productivity and gaming (Auto HDR, DirectStorage).
What Does This Mean for Windows Users?
Microsoft’s shift from Windows 10 to Windows 11 highlights how quickly technology evolves. Windows 10 is only supported until October 2025, users on newer hardware that supports Windows 11 are encouraged to upgrade for better performance and security.
So if your hardware is supported, chances are you will already have seen the prompts in Windows update giving you the opportunity to download and upgrade your Windows.
Should you do it! Yes absolutely.
The October deadline is fast approaching so I suggest doing it sooner rather than later. It is better to iron out any issues now rather than wait until Windows 10 is no longer supported.
So far the upgrades that I have done have gone smoothly, but of course there will be exceptions.
If you are using any specialist software, make sure you do a bit of research to confirm if it’s supported or whether it also needs an upgrade.
The same applies for hardware, check with the manufacturer to make sure it’s compatible or if you need new drivers.
If you are running a pretty standard setup then you shouldn’t have any issues, but as always, make sure you have a good backup before you hit the upgrade button
But what if my computer hardware is not supported? Well there are several options and we shall explore those in another post.
