On this day 11 years ago, the Windows 10 operating system was publicly launched, the first with which Microsoft recognized the importance of PC gaming.
Microsoft’s plan to unify the operating system for different types of devices failed even before it took off. Windows Phone quickly lost the battle, the Xbox One console too, and users of classic computers did not really like the vision of a closed ecosystem of Windows 8. Therefore, Microsoft agreed to compromises by introducing Windows 10which they launched on this day in 2015.
Windows 10 was designed as a system that should unite classic and modern applications, classic navigation of the desktop environment with modern touchscreen commands. For users, this compromise performance was a little less confusing than in previous Windows, and other innovations such as virtual desktops, action center, etc. were well received.
The system was particularly interesting for PC gamers as well the first Microsoft system that brought specific features for gaming. Thus, a gaming overlay was introduced, which is started by the Win+G key combination or the central button on the controller. Also, for the first time at the system level, we had an FPS meter and a tool for analyzing processor and graphics performance. There was also a built-in option to capture images and video from games, similar to Xbox consoles.
Windows 10 also introduced gamers to the Game Pass subscription and strengthened ties with the Xbox platform by bringing Forza, Halo and Gears back to PC. The transition of gamers to this operating system went relatively quickly, so in just a few years the opinion was established that there is no better operating system for gaming than Windows 10. Some people remained with this opinion even after Windows 11 appeared.
It is also remembered that Microsoft once announced what Windows 10 would be like latest windows and that in the future we will only have system updates and additions. However, that idea was eventually abandoned and the system welcomed its successor in 2021.
The old Windows 10 lived on and lives on to this day, albeit through extended support that must be requested. Despite the end of official support, a good number of PC gamers are still sticking to Windows 10. According to data from the sixth month of 2026, more than 23% of Steam users are still using Windows 10.