Microsoft will stop providing security and feature updates for Windows 10 on Tuesday 14 October 2025, a shift that will leave millions of personal and enterprise PCs running an unsupported operating system.

Windows 10 launched in July 2015 and Microsoft has maintained the platform for nearly a decade with frequent updates that patched security flaws and added features. From 14 October those updates – and routine technical support – will come to an end. While affected machines will still till work they’ll be at much greater risk for viruses and malware if it no longer receives security fixes.

With no security updates, being compromised is really just a case of if, not when. Software is complex, and over time vulnerabilities are discovered – monthly updates normally patch those flaws and without those, they remain as gaping holes in your OS.

Who is affected

Windows remains the world’s most widely used desktop operating system, with Microsoft saying it is active on over 1.4 billion devices around the globe.

Of these, around 43% were using Windows 10 in July 2025, according to Statcounter, consumer group Which? estimates there could be 21 million Windows 10 users in the UK, and separate industry figures cited in the supplied text put the global tally higher.

Which? also found – in a survey conducted in September – that about a quarter of UK Windows 10 users planned to continue using the system after official support ends, while around one in seven said they planned to buy a new computer.

Your options: upgrade, pay for a bridge, or replace the PC

For personal users Microsoft is offering two main practical options: upgrade to Windows 11 (free for eligible machines) or enrol in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme, which delivers critical and important security updates for one year after the deadline.

Microsoft’s guidance explains the consumer ESU choices: people living in the European Economic Area will get ESU for free by registering. Other users can receive ESU for free if they have updated to the latest version of Windows 10, have a Microsoft account and backed up their PC settings.

Otherwise, users will have to pay a $30 (£22) fee or use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points to access ESU. For commercial organisations the cost is higher, costing around $61 per device. The exact amount may vary by region.

For organisations, Microsoft notes ESU subscriptions can be renewed annually for up to three years, with the cost rising each year. Cloud and virtual deployments using Windows 365 or virtual machines are entitled to ESU at no extra charge, the company adds.

Can your PC run Windows 11?

Microsoft recommends people check eligibility via Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update or with the PC Health Check app. It’s worth keeping in mind that Windows 11 carries stricter hardware requirements – notably TPM 2.0 and a limited set of supported CPUs – and that some older devices will not meet them.

The company cautions that ‘Microsoft does not recommend installing Windows 11 on devices that don’t meet the minimum service requirements and that doing so may result in compatibility issues.’

If your PC can upgrade, Microsoft says the upgrade is free for eligible devices and recommends using Windows Backup to transfer files, settings and applications to a new machine where needed.

The security and software risks of staying on Windows 10

Without regular security updates, devices become more vulnerable to all kinds of nastiness such as viruses, malware and other cyber-attacks.

Speaking plainly, do not use Windows 10 without updates, or for that matter, don’t continue using any operating system beyond its support deadline. With no security updates, it’s just not worth the risk.

Beyond immediate security concerns, some third-party apps may lose functionality over time as developers stop supporting older operating systems. Microsoft has said it will continue to provide some limited protections after 14 October: security updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 will continue through October 2028, and Microsoft 365 Apps will receive security updates until 10 October 2028 and feature updates through August 2026 – though these updates do not include technical support.

In a company blog post, Yusuf Mehdi, Executive Vice President, Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, framed the move as part of a wider push to Windows 11 and new PC hardware.

In Mehdi’s words: “With AI becoming a more natural and helpful part of everyday life, 2025 continues to emerge as the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh.”

He added that Microsoft wants people to “experience the best of Windows 11, starting with security at the core,” while recognising that “transitions to new PCs take careful planning.”

Recommended reading

• Exactly One Year to Go Until Support Ends for Windows 10
• NCSC Urges Orgs to Upgrade Windows 11
• Are AI PCs a Game-changer or a Gimmick?

The company encourages trade-in and recycling programmes for users moving to new Windows 11 devices and highlights tools such as Windows Backup to ease migration of files and settings.

Practical next steps 

If your device is running Windows 10, first things first – check if your PC is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11 via Settings or PC Health Check. If it is not eligible or you prefer to wait, consider enrolling in ESU while planning a replacement; and if you choose to purchase a new PC, use trade-in and recycling programmes to dispose of old hardware responsibly.

From 14 October 2025 the safety net of regular security and feature updates for Windows 10 will disappear.

The choices for users are broadly the same: upgrade where your hardware allows it, pay for temporary ESU coverage, or replace the device.

For those still on Windows 10, now is the time to check eligibility, back up important data, and decide which path to take.