Still on Windows 10? Your Options a Year After End of Support
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. What that means now, how consumer Extended Security Updates work until October 2027, and how to choose.
In this article
A year after Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, plenty of PCs still run it. Microsoft's support page is clear on the basics: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, and since then Microsoft no longer provides technical assistance, feature updates or security updates for it.
What still works and what doesn't
Your PC keeps working. Microsoft says the software "will continue to function," but without security updates the computer is at greater risk from viruses and malware, and Microsoft customer service no longer offers Windows 10 technical support. Microsoft also says support for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 ended on the same date. The apps still run, but Microsoft recommends upgrading to avoid performance and reliability problems.
Your three options
1. Upgrade to Windows 11 for free
The upgrade is free for PCs running Windows 10 version 22H2 that meet Windows 11's minimum hardware requirements. To check, go to Start › Settings › Update & Security › Windows Update.
2. Enroll in consumer Extended Security Updates
For PCs that can't run Windows 11, Microsoft recommends its consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which it says can protect a Windows 10 device until October 12, 2027. ESU provides security updates only, not new features or technical support.
3. Replace the PC
Microsoft's third suggestion is a new device that runs Windows 11. It points to Windows Backup for moving files, photos, settings, apps and sign-in credentials.
How to choose
Our suggested order, based on cost and risk:
- If the free upgrade check passes, back up first, then upgrade. It's the cheapest way to stay supported.
- If it fails and the PC otherwise works well, ESU buys time until October 2027. Put a date in your calendar to decide before then.
- If the PC is old enough that you'd replace it within a year anyway, skip ESU and plan the replacement.
- Whatever you choose, don't keep using an unpatched Windows 10 PC for banking or work email.
More: Software · Cybersecurity.
Sources
- Windows 10 support has ended on October 14, 2025 — Microsoft Support · Primary source · accessed October 16, 2026Supports: End-of-support date; what stops; consumer ESU to Oct 12, 2027; free upgrade eligibility (22H2 + hardware); Microsoft 365 Apps support ending; Windows Backup
About the author
Newsroom
IntechPulse Newsroom articles are drafted with AI assistance from the cited public sources and pass automated checks for sourcing and originality before publication. Unless an article shows a "Reviewed by" credit, it was not individually reviewed by a human editor. Corrections follow our Corrections Policy.
Related reading
Chrome Removed the Last Manifest V2 Extensions: What It Means for You
On August 31, 2026, Google removed remaining Manifest V2 extensions from the Chrome Web Store. The full timeline and what to do if an extension stopped working.
· 2 min read
Let's Encrypt Is Moving to 45-Day Certificates: What Site Owners Should Check
Let's Encrypt will cut certificate lifetimes from 90 to 45 days by 2028, in stages starting with 64-day certificates in February 2027. The dates and what to check now.
· 2 min read