The number of CPU cores required for Windows 10 depends on the specific edition of the operating system and the intended use case. For example, the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 10 Home and Pro editions are a 1 GHz or faster processor with at least 2 cores, while the Enterprise and Education editions require a minimum of 2 GHz processor with 2 cores or higher. However, for more demanding tasks such as gaming or content creation, a processor with 4 or more cores is recommended for optimal performance. In general, the number of cores required for Windows 10 will depend on the user's specific needs and usage patterns.