Goodbye, Windows 10 — how a decade of 'progress' eroded users' command over their own machines

Microsoft is ending mainstream support for Windows 10, marking the end of an era that promised to be the last version of Windows. Users are feeling a loss of control over their machines after a decade of updates and increasing integration with Microsoft's services. Some are opting for Extended Security Updates, while others are switching to Linux or Mac. Windows 11 represents a culmination of Microsoft's shift towards a more service-oriented relationship with users, leading to frustration over lack of customization and intrusive features. The move highlights a philosophical debate about whether an operating system should be a tool controlled by the user or a service dictated by the provider.