Microsoft is quietly backporting a surprising number of features to Windows 10, even as the operating system hurtles toward its October 14, 2025 end-of-support date. A redesigned About page finally surfaces GPU details at a glance, EU regulatory mandates force default browser and search overhauls, and Copilot’s AI tentacles reach File Explorer context menus. These aren’t splashy headline-makers—but together they prove that Windows 10 remains a living, breathing platform for the 60%+ of users who haven’t yet jumped to Windows 11.

The backporting blitz: What’s actually new

1. About page “top cards” expose hardware in one click

The Settings > System > About page now greets users with four colorful cards showing processor, memory, GPU, and storage at the top—no Device Manager or dxdiag required. A simple FAQ explains each spec in plain language. This design first appeared in Windows 11 and landed in Windows 10 Insider build 19045.5070 (released October 2024) before rolling out broadly as part of cumulative updates. For support teams, it slashes triage time; for everyday users, it demystifies the hardware inside their PC.

2. System Components page: DMA transparency by design

A new System Components page splits out core OS functions that can’t be uninstalled, fulfilling requirements of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The page labels OEM and system components explicitly, giving EEA users clear distinction between what’s baked into the operating system and what can be removed. It’s a regulatory win that quietly boosts user control.

3. Optional features find a more logical home

The Optional features page has been relocated to a more intuitive spot inside Settings, matching Windows 11’s layout. No functional change—just fewer clicks for power users and IT pros who frequently toggle Windows features on or off.

4. Manage mobile devices deepens phone–PC integration

Windows 10’s “Mobile devices” area now includes a Manage devices link that streamlines Phone Link setup and surfaces cross-device actions like photo notifications. Android–Windows continuity remains a daily productivity staple, and this change makes it easier to find and configure.

5. Taskbar calendar returns seconds, adds 30-day view

After a brief experiment that removed the seconds display (and prompted community outcry), Microsoft restored it. The flyout now also shows up to 30 days of upcoming events and weather descriptions—small fixes that matter to anyone who relies on the taskbar clock for quick time checks.

6. Windows Backup gets a local PC-to-PC transfer—with a big catch

Windows Backup now offers a “Transfer information to a new PC” flow that pairs old and new devices over a local network using a one-time code. It can move files, settings, and personalization without cloud storage. But the critical detail buried in Microsoft’s documentation: the new PC must run Windows 11 (2024 or later). The old PC can be Windows 10, so this is effectively a migration tool toward Windows 11—not a pure Windows 10-to-Windows 10 solution.

7. File Explorer context menu sprouts Copilot actions

Right-click any file in Explorer and you might see “Ask Copilot,” “Visual Search,” or basic image editing options. These AI hooks appear when the Copilot app is installed and are rolling out gradually across Windows 10 preview builds. The convenience is real—summarize a PDF with one click—but so are privacy concerns: files may be uploaded to Microsoft’s cloud. Registry tweaks and uninstall steps already exist for users who prefer to keep Copilot out of their context menus.

8. Settings icons go colorful and accent-aware

Monochrome icons in Settings gave way to colored variants that respect the system accent color. It’s pure cosmetic polish, but it makes the sprawling Settings maze feel a little friendlier and more discoverable—especially for OneDrive, Windows Update, and other frequently accessed sections.

9. Web search and default browser behavior obey DMA rules

In the European Economic Area, Windows Search no longer forces Edge for web results; users can pick their default browser and even an alternative search provider. Microsoft also updated how the operating system labels system components in search results—a direct result of DMA compliance.

10. Edge becomes uninstallable (in the EEA)

For the first time, users inside the EEA can fully uninstall Microsoft Edge. Pair that with a “Set default” button that now covers a broader set of file and link associations (ftp, svg, xhtml, xml, and PDF where supported), and the result is a rare instance of regulation giving consumers genuine choice over long-embedded defaults.

Hard numbers you need to know

  • End of support for Windows 10 (security/feature updates): October 14, 2025.
  • Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU): Enroll for free by syncing PC settings, spend 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or pay $30 USD for a one-year extension through October 13, 2026.
  • Last major feature update: Version 22H2, released October 2022.
  • Insider build that introduced About page cards: 19045.5070 (Beta/Release Preview, October 2024).
  • November 2024 security update (KB5046613): Brought build to 19045.5131 with vmswitch BSOD fix, game compatibility patch, and other quality fixes—no new features at that time, but laid groundwork for subsequent UI refinements.

Strengths, risks, and what to watch

Strengths
- Usability wins: The About page, relocated optional features, and colored icons lower the friction for casual users and helpdesk staff alike.
- Regulatory empowerment: DMA-driven browser and search changes are a rare victory for user sovereignty, applicable only in the EEA for now but setting a potential global precedent.
- Migration flexibility: The local PC-to-PC backup path offers a private alternative to cloud restores—if you’re moving to Windows 11.

Risks
- Feature drift vs. resource reality: These small backports mask the hard truth: Windows 10 is in deep maintenance mode. Don’t expect major capability leaps.
- Copilot creep: AI context-menu integration is convenient but uploads files to the cloud by default. Privacy-sensitive environments must treat it as opt-in and control it via group policy.
- Messaging muddle: Shipping quality-of-life updates while sunsetting the OS confuses consumers and IT planners. The ESU program is a safety valve, not a strategy.
- Geofenced fragmentation: EEA users enjoy more choice, but global inconsistencies complicate multi-national management.

What to watch next
- Copilot rollout pace on Windows 10: Which AI features actually ship, and how much control will admins have?
- Windows Backup expansion: Will Microsoft ever allow the local transfer target to be a Windows 10 PC? Don’t hold your breath.
- Post-EOL ecosystem shift: After October 2025, app publishers, hardware vendors, and security tools may drop Windows 10 support. The ESU bridge buys 12 months—not a decade.

Actionable guidance for users and IT teams

  1. Inventory devices that fail Windows 11 requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, supported CPU list). Those are prime ESU candidates or hardware refresh priorities.
  2. If staying on Windows 10 temporarily, choose an ESU enrollment path now: sync settings for free, redeem Rewards points, or set aside $30 per device.
  3. For Copilot: In regulated or privacy-first environments, disable it via group policy or registry until a thorough review is done.
  4. Use Windows Backup wisely: For Windows 11 migrations, leverage the local transfer flow. For Windows 10-to-Windows 10 moves, stick with OneDrive, external drives, or third-party imaging tools.
  5. Test DMA changes in EEA deployments: Validate that default browser and search provider settings align with organizational policy before rolling out domain-joined images.

Windows 10’s late-life updates are not about rebirth—they’re about responsible stewardship. Microsoft is patching, polishing, and placating regulators while nudging users toward Windows 11. The ten backports highlighted here show the platform is still cared for, but the clock ticks louder every day. The safest long-term destination remains a modern, supported OS.