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Microsoft is rolling out the Windows 10 April 2025 update (KB5053643), scheduled for official release on April 8, and it comes with an unexpected change: the removal of seconds from the Calendar flyout clock. While this update is optional, meaning it won’t install automatically, users who choose to update will notice the absence of this small but useful feature.
Windows 10 has been a reliable operating system for many, including myself. Despite its stability, Microsoft continues making changes—some useful, others seemingly unnecessary. First, they experimented with adding Copilot, then redesigned the Settings UI, and now they’ve decided to remove the ability to view seconds in the Calendar flyout.
For most users, this change may not seem significant, as the taskbar clock has never displayed seconds by default. However, power users who relied on the Calendar flyout clock for precise timing—such as monitoring script execution or tracking real-time updates—may find this removal inconvenient.
A Small Change That Affects Some Users
In earlier Windows 10 builds, users could see the seconds displayed in the Calendar flyout when clicking the time and date on the taskbar. However, after installing KB5053643, the flyout still appears but no longer includes seconds.
Microsoft argues that displaying seconds in the GUI negatively affects performance. According to their past statements, updating the clock every second requires periodic CPU activity, preventing the system from entering low-power states. This was the same reasoning they used when Windows 11 initially launched without a seconds display in the taskbar—though due to user feedback, they later reinstated it.
Unfortunately, given that Windows 10’s official support is ending on October 14, 2025, it’s unlikely that Microsoft will reverse this decision. Instead, the company appears to be gradually shifting its focus away from Windows 10, leaving users with limited influence over future updates.
What Undercode Say: Why Microsoft Made This Decision and What It Means
While the removal of seconds from the Calendar flyout may seem trivial, it reflects Microsoft’s broader strategy regarding Windows 10. Here’s a breakdown of what this decision really means:
1. Performance Optimization or Just an Excuse?
Microsoft claims that displaying seconds impacts system performance because the CPU has to update the clock every second, preventing it from entering lower-power states. While this argument holds some technical merit, it raises a question: If this was such a crucial issue, why did they restore seconds in Windows 11 after user complaints?
The likely answer is that Microsoft no longer sees Windows 10 as a priority. With its end-of-support date approaching in 2025, they are less willing to listen to user feedback.
2. Windows 10 is Being Left Behind
Since Windows 11’s release, Microsoft has been shifting resources toward its newer operating system. This update serves as another indicator that Windows 10 is entering a maintenance-only phase, where Microsoft will provide security updates but make minimal usability improvements.
The removal of seconds, while small, is symbolic. It shows that Microsoft is making arbitrary adjustments without community input—something they seem to avoid with Windows 11 due to its active user base.
3. Will There Be a Workaround?
While there’s no built-in way to restore seconds in the Calendar flyout after this update, users might still be able to modify the Windows Registry or use third-party apps. However, relying on unofficial tweaks is not ideal, as Microsoft could break these workarounds in future updates.
4. A Lesson from Windows 11’s History
Windows 11 initially lacked taskbar seconds but eventually reintroduced them after user backlash. This suggests that Microsoft can be persuaded to revert decisions when enough people voice their concerns. However, with Windows 10’s impending retirement, the chances of this happening are slim.
5. The Bigger Picture: Windows as a Service
Microsoft’s shift toward Windows as a service means that users have less control over updates. Unlike older versions of Windows, where users could ignore updates indefinitely, newer policies push updates automatically. This removal of seconds is just another example of Microsoft deciding what features users should care about, rather than letting them choose.
Fact Checker Results:
- Microsoft’s Justification: The removal of seconds is based on claims of power efficiency, but this reasoning is questionable since Windows 11 eventually restored the feature.
- Impact on Users: While most users won’t notice, those who relied on the feature for scripting or monitoring will be affected.
- Likelihood of Reversal: Given Windows 10’s end-of-support in October 2025, Microsoft is unlikely to reinstate the feature.
Would you consider switching to Windows 11, or do you prefer sticking with Windows 10 despite these changes? Let’s discuss!
References:
Reported By: https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/03/31/windows-10s-feature-update-kb5053643-turns-off-seconds-on-the-taskbars-calendar-flyout/
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