Which version of Windows is known as the latest release of Microsoft's operating system?

Windows 10 is recognized as the latest release of Microsoft's operating system because it was launched on July 29, 2015, and has since received several updates that enhance its features and security. This version introduced a significant shift in Microsoft's approach to operating systems, offering a more unified experience across different device types, including desktops, laptops, and tablets.

Windows 10 includes features like the Cortana digital assistant, a redesigned Start Menu, virtual desktops, and integration with the Microsoft Edge browser, all of which positioned it as a modern OS at its launch. Furthermore, Microsoft adopted a "Windows as a Service" model with Windows 10, ensuring that users receive continual updates and improvements, making it less of a singular release and more of an evolving platform.

Other versions such as Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows XP each belong to earlier stages in Microsoft's operating system history, with Windows 7 being released in 2009, Windows 8 in 2012, and Windows XP being one of the most popular versions from the early 2000s, specifically launched in 2001. These versions are no longer considered recent or supported to the same extent as Windows 10 provides.