Start menu

Whereas Windows 8 uses the Start screen to launch applications, Windows 10 has reintroduced a more traditional Start menu. It's also been expanded to make it easier to find important apps.

Microsoft Edge

This new browser is designed to give Windows users a better experience on the Web. It's faster, more secure, and includes a lot of new features. Microsoft Edge is meant to replace Internet Explorer as your default web browser, but you'll still be able to use another browser if you prefer.

Cortana

Similar to Siri and Google Now, you can talk to this virtual assistant with your computer's microphone. Cortana can answer questions like What's the weather like today?, perform simple tasks like remind you to take out the trash, and much more.

Multiple desktops and Task view

Instead of keeping everything open on the same desktop, you can move some of your windows to a virtual desktop to get them out of the way. And the new Task view feature makes it easy to manage all of your open windows.

Action Center

The new Action Center is pretty different from previous versions of Windows. For example, it's been expanded to let you access frequently used settings, such as Wi-Fi connectivity and tablet mode. It's also where you'll see important notifications, so if your computer receives an update you'll get a notification about it here.

Tablet mode

Unlike Windows 8, Windows 10 makes a clear distinction between desktops and tablets. If you're using a keyboard and mouse with Windows 10, you'll be in desktop mode by default. If your computer also has a touchscreen, you can go into tablet mode at any time. Tablet users can also switch back to desktop mode if they prefer.

Snap

Snap allows you to resize windows quickly, which is especially convenient when you want to see two windows side by side. To do this, click and drag the desired window to the left or right until the cursor reaches the edge of the screen, then release the mouse. The window will snap into place. To unsnap a window, simply click and drag the window down.

Virtual desktops

Instead of keeping everything open on the same desktop, you can move some of your windows to a virtual desktop to get them out of the way. This feature wasn't available in previous versions of Windows, and it's especially helpful for managing a lot of windows at the same time. To create a new desktop, open Task view, then select New desktop near the bottom-right corner.

Windows Defender with Real-Time Protection

The built-in Windows Defender antivirus software protects your system in real time against malware and threats. Basic security is provided without the need for additional software.

Cross-Device Compatibility

Fully compatible with computers, tablets, and hybrid devices. Windows 10 Home is optimized for touch screens and ensures a seamless experience across different devices.

Microsoft Copilot

Is a next-generation AI-powered digital assistant available to Windows 10 Home users. Introduced in preview, it allows users to interact with the system using natural language. Copilot not only responds to commands but also offers active support for productivity, writing, quick access to information, and more.
Users can give commands like “Write an email,” “Summarize this text,” “Show today’s weather,” or “Change screen brightness” using everyday language. This feature goes far beyond the classic search bar, making computer usage more intuitive and effective. Especially for users creating written content, Copilot makes it easy to prepare blog posts, product descriptions, or social media texts quickly.
Additionally, Microsoft Copilot enables quick searches across both local files and web-based content. It works like an AI-powered search engine that instantly analyzes results, summarizes them, compares options, and saves time. With this AI support, Windows 10 Home integrates personal assistant features as a standard part of the everyday computing experience.

Windows Hello

Is an advanced biometric authentication system integrated into the Windows 10 Home operating system. It allows users to log in using fingerprint, facial recognition (Face ID), or iris scanning. This eliminates the need to enter passwords and ensures both security and ease of use.
Windows Hello offers a stronger layer of security than passwords because biometric data is stored securely on the device and never exported. On devices equipped with fingerprint readers or facial recognition cameras, users can log in within seconds simply by looking at the screen or scanning their fingerprint. This saves time and eliminates common issues like forgotten passwords.

Nearby Share

Allows Windows 10 Home users to quickly and easily share files, links, and content with other nearby Windows devices via Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth. This feature enables instant data transfer without relying on USB drives or email.
When the user right-clicks the file or link to be shared and selects “Nearby Share,” the system automatically detects compatible nearby devices. Once the receiving device is selected, the content is transferred within seconds. This method saves time and ensures a more secure transfer process.

Game Bar & DVR

Is a comprehensive gaming interface offered specifically to gamers on Windows 10 Home. This bar, which can be opened at the top of the screen while gaming, allows users to perform many tasks such as recording, streaming, and system control without exiting the game. The interface is both accessible and functional, activated with a simple shortcut (Win + G).
Through Game Bar, users can record gameplay in high quality, take screenshots, and manage microphone and camera settings during the game. Real-time system performance data (such as CPU, GPU, and RAM usage) can also be monitored on-screen via dedicated widgets. This feature brings a professional touch to the gaming process for both casual players and streamers.
Thanks to DVR (Digital Video Recorder) support, games can be continuously recorded in the background, allowing users to go back and share any moment at any time. This built-in feature enhances the gaming experience without the need for additional software and offers an efficient solution that runs without straining the system.

BASIC FEATURES

Windows 10 Home features the familiar Start menu and live tiles, Task View and virtual desktops for multitasking, Microsoft Edge browser, integration with Cortana digital assistant in supported regions, Action Center for quick settings and notifications, Continuum mode that adapts UI for hybrid devices, built-in Windows Hello biometric login, Game Bar with gameplay recording and streaming, automatic updates via Windows Update, integrated OneDrive cloud storage, DirectX 12 support for gaming, Windows Defender Antivirus and firewall, and a tablet mode for touch-based devices. 

WHAT’S NEW

The latest features include Copilot in Windows (preview), improved update delivery via Windows Update, optimized storage functions with reserved space to ease future updates, ongoing security improvements, and feature updates rolled out annually through the 22H2 release channel.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Requires a 1 GHz or faster processor or SoC (32‑bit or 64‑bit compatible), 1 GB RAM for 32‑bit or 2 GB for 64‑bit, minimum 32 GB storage (though full installs require at least 20 GB free for updates), DirectX 9 capable graphics with WDDM 1.0 driver, 800×600 display, and internet access for updates; optional features like BitLocker or Windows Hello may require TPM, infrared camera, or USB drive. 

USER INTERFACES LANGUAGES

Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Assamese, Azerbaijani, Bangla (Bangladesh), Bangla (India), Basque, Belarusian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dari, Dutch, English (US), English (UK), Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, French, French (Canada), Galician, Georgian, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hausa, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Irish, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Khmer, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, Korean, Kyrgyz, Lao, Latvian, Lithuanian, Luxembourgish, Macedonian, Malay, Malayalam, Maltese, Maori, Marathi, Mongolian (Cyrillic), Nepali, Norwegian (Bokmål), Norwegian (Nynorsk), Odia, Pashto, Persian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Punjabi, Quechua, Romanian, Romansh, Russian, Scottish Gaelic, Serbian (Cyrillic), Serbian (Latin), Sesotho sa Leboa, Setswana, Sindhi, Sinhala, Slovak, Slovenian, Somali, Spanish, Spanish (Mexico), Swahili, Swedish, Tajik, Tamil, Tatar, Telugu, Thai, Tigrinya, Tswana, Turkish, Turkmen, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uyghur, Uzbek (Cyrillic), Uzbek (Latin), Vietnamese, Welsh, Wolof, Yoruba.

BRAND

Microsoft

TYPE

Consumer Desktop Operating System

FOR OPERATING SYSTEM

This entry describes Windows 10 Home itself; no reverse compat apps needed.

LICENSE CATEGORY

One-time pay

FORMAT

Digital Download

MODEL

Microsoft Windows 10 Home

COUNTRY OF USE

Global

MANUFACTURER COUNTRY

United States