Microsoft has announced that it will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, users will no longer receive customer support, security updates, or any other upgrades for the operating system. Windows 10 users have several options to consider.
The best option for most users is to upgrade to Windows 11, which is a free upgrade for those running the latest 22HS update and who meet the hardware requirements. These include a 1 GHz dual-core 64-bit processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage. However, security requirements such as the ability to launch in Secure Boot mode and having a TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) could be problematic for very old PCs.
If a user’s system is too old to support Secure Boot mode and TPM 2.0, it may be time for a hardware upgrade. Capable laptops and desktops can be found for as low as $500 during sales. Users could also continue using Windows 10 until their PC fails, but this is risky as they won’t receive any security updates, increasing the likelihood of falling victim to malware, data breaches, and other vulnerabilities.
Microsoft is offering an option to extend Windows 10’s security updates for a one-time payment of $30.
Windows 10 support options explained
This subscription will provide security updates, bug fixes, and technical support until October 13, 2026, giving users enough time to research a new PC or wait for a holiday sale.
A Southern California man has sued Microsoft over the plan to discontinue support for Windows 10. The plaintiff, Lawrence Klein, claims that his two laptops running Windows 10 will become obsolete when support ends. He argues that the end of Windows 10 is part of Microsoft’s strategy to force customers to purchase new devices and to “monopolize the generative AI market.”
Klein is asking a judge to order Microsoft to continue supporting Windows 10 without additional charges until the number of devices running the older operating system falls below 10% of total Windows users.
He is not seeking any monetary compensation for himself but does request attorneys’ fees. Microsoft has also announced updates to its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10. To enroll a Windows 10 PC into the ESU program and continue receiving security updates beyond the end of support date, users must pay $30 and have a Microsoft Account.
The one ESU license purchased for $30 covers up to 10 devices signed into the same Microsoft Account. Users can also enroll in the ESU program using 1,000 Microsoft Reward points or for free if they sync their PC settings with OneDrive. The ESU program enrollment window opened in July and is now being rolled out in stages.
Users can enroll their PC by heading to the Windows Update section within their settings and looking for the “Enroll now” button.
