Windows 10 version history


Windows 10 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft. Microsoft described Windows 10 as an "operating system as a service" that would receive ongoing updates to its features and functionality, augmented with the ability for enterprise environments to receive non-critical updates at a slower pace or use long-term support milestones that will only receive critical updates, such as security patches, over their five-year lifespan of mainstream support. It was released on July 29, 2015.

Overview

Releases

Mainstream builds of Windows 10 are labeled "YYMM", with YY representing the two-digit year and MM representing the month of planned release. Starting with version 20H2, Windows 10 release nomenclature changed from the year and month pattern to a year and half-year pattern.

Version 1507 (original release)

The original version of Windows 10 was released in July 2015. It carries the build number 10.0.10240; while Microsoft has stated that there was no designated release to manufacturing build of Windows 10, build 10240 was described as an RTM build by various media outlets. It was retroactively named "version 1507" by Microsoft per its naming conventions that have the last 2 digits of the year and the month number for future stable releases of the operating system.
Notable changes in this version include:
  • An updated start menu
  • The introduction of Cortana, a virtual assistant, to the desktop version of Windows
  • A "Continuum" mode that allows users to switch between desktop mode and tablet mode
  • "Action Center", which includes notifications and quick access to settings
  • A new web browser, Microsoft Edge Legacy, that replaces Internet Explorer as the default browser in Windows
  • Improved multitasking, including virtual desktops
  • Many updated built-in apps
The final release was made available to Windows Insiders on July 15, 2015, followed by a public release on July 29, 2015.
The update has reached end of service on May 9, 2017 in the Current Branch and Current Branch for Business. The Enterprise LTSB edition has reached end of service on October 14, 2025.

Version 1511 (November Update)

The second stable build of Windows10 is version 1511, known as the November Update. It was codenamed "Threshold 2" during development. This version was distributed via Windows Update on November 12, 2015. It contains various improvements to the operating system, its user interface, bundled services, as well as the introduction of Skype-based universal messaging apps, and the Windows Store for Business and Windows Update for Business features.
New features in this version of Windows 10 include:
The first preview was released on August 18, 2015. The final release was made available to Windows Insiders on November 3, 2015, followed by a public release on November 12, 2015. Unlike the initial release of Windows, this branch was also made available to existing Windows Phone 8.1 devices and the Xbox One and as a preview release to Windows Server 2016, and was pre-installed on new Windows 10 Mobile devices.
On November 21, 2015, the November Update was temporarily pulled from public distribution. The upgrade was re-instated on November 24, 2015, with Microsoft stating that the removal was due to a bug that caused privacy and data collection settings to be reset to defaults when installing the upgrade.
The update has reached end of service on October 10, 2017 in the Current Branch and Current Branch for Business. Supplemental servicing for the Enterprise and Education editions was available until April 10, 2018.

Version 1607 (Anniversary Update)

The third stable build of Windows 10 is called version 1607, known as the Anniversary Update. It was codenamed "Redstone 1" during development. This version was released on August 2, 2016, a little over one year after the first stable release of Windows 10. The Anniversary Update was originally thought to have been set aside for two feature updates. While both were originally to be released in 2016, the second was moved into 2017 so that it would be released in concert with that year's wave of Microsoft first-party devices.
The Anniversary Update introduces new features such as the Windows Ink platform, which eases the ability to add stylus input support to Universal Windows Platform apps and provides a new "Ink Workspace" area with links to pen-oriented apps and features, enhancements to Cortana's proactive functionality, a dark user interface theme mode, a new version of Skype designed to work with the Universal Windows Platform, improvements to Universal Windows Platform intended for video games, and offline scanning using Windows Defender. The Anniversary Update also supports Windows Subsystem for Linux, a new component that provides an environment for running Linux-compatible binary software in an Ubuntu-based user mode environment. This release also includes several visual changes, such as the Action center being moved to the edge of the taskbar.
On new installations of Windows 10 on systems with Secure Boot enabled, all kernel-mode drivers issued after July 29, 2015, must be digitally signed with an Extended Validation Certificate issued by Microsoft.
This version is the basis for "LTSB 2016", the first upgrade to the LTSB since Windows 10's release. The first LTSB release, based on the original release of Windows 10, has been retroactively named "LTSB 2015".
The update has reached end of service on April 10, 2018 in the Semi-Annual Channel. The Enterprise, IoT Enterprise and Education editions have reached end of service on April 9, 2019. Support of this update for systems based on Intel Clover Trail chipset was available until January 10, 2023. The Enterprise LTSB and IoT Enterprise LTSB editions will reach end of service on October 13, 2026.

Version 1703 (Creators Update)

The fourth stable build of Windows 10 is called version 1703, known as the Creators Update. It was codenamed "Redstone 2" during development. This version was announced on October 26, 2016, and was released for general availability on April 11, 2017, and for manual installation via Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant and Media Creation Tool tools on April 5, 2017. This update primarily focuses on content creation, productivity, and gaming features—with a particular focus on virtual and augmented reality and on aiding the generation of three-dimensional content.
It supports a new virtual reality workspace designed for use with headsets; Microsoft announced that several OEMs planned to release VR headsets designed for use with the Creators Update.
Controls for the Game Bar and Game DVR feature have moved to the Settings app, while a new "Game Mode" option allows resources to be prioritized towards games. Integration with Microsoft acquisition Mixer was added for live streaming. The themes manager moved to Settings app, and custom accent colors are now possible. The new app Paint 3D allows users to produce artwork using 3D models; the app is designed to make 3D creation more accessible to mainstream users.
Windows 10's privacy settings have more detailed explanations of data that the operating system may collect. Additionally, the "enhanced" level of telemetry collection was removed. Windows Update notifications may now be "snoozed" for a period of time, the "active hours" during which Windows will not try to install updates may now extend up to 18 hours in length, and updates may be paused for up to seven days. Windows Defender has been replaced by the universal app Windows Defender Security Center. Devices may optionally be configured to prevent use of software from outside of Microsoft Store, or warn before installation of apps from outside of Microsoft Store. "Dynamic Lock" allows a device to automatically lock if it is outside of the proximity of a designated Bluetooth device, such as a smartphone. A "Night Light" feature was added, which allows the user to change the color temperature of the display to the red part of the spectrum at specific times of day.
The update has reached end of service on October 9, 2018 in the Semi-Annual Channel. The Enterprise and Education editions have reached end of service on October 8, 2019. The Team edition on Surface Hub devices has reached end of service on March 16, 2021.

Version 1709 (Fall Creators Update)

The fifth stable build of Windows 10 is called version 1709, known as the Fall Creators Update. It was codenamed "Redstone 3" during development. This version was released on October 17, 2017. Version 1709 introduces a new feature known as "My People", where shortcuts to "important" contacts can be displayed on the taskbar. Notifications involving these contacts appear above their respective pictures, and users can communicate with the contact via either Skype, e-mail, or text messaging. Support for additional services, including Xbox, Skype for Business, and third-party integration, are to be added in the future. Files can also be dragged directly to the contact's picture to share them. My People was originally announced for Creators Update, but was ultimately held over to the next release, and made its first public appearance in Build 16184 in late April 2017. A new "Files-on-Demand" feature for OneDrive serves as a partial replacement for the previous "placeholders" function.
It also introduces a new security feature known as "controlled folder access", which can restrict the applications allowed to access specific folders. This feature is designed mainly to defend against file-encrypting ransomware. This is also the first release that introduces DCH drivers.
The update has reached end of service on April 9, 2019 for Home, Pro, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core editions. The Enterprise and Education editions would have originally reached end of service on April 14, 2020, but this was postponed to October 13 of the same year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.