Windows 10 end of support has been coming for years, and for home users the final deadline is now weeks away. Microsoft stopped regular support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but it gave consumers one extra year of security fixes through its Extended Security Updates program. That extra year ends on Oct. 13, 2026. After that, a home PC running Windows 10 will stop getting the security patches that protect it from new attacks.
If you are still using Windows 10, you have several options, from a free upgrade to Windows 11 to switching operating systems or buying a new computer. This guide explains what happens after Oct. 13, how to check whether your PC can upgrade, and seven simple steps to stay safe.
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What does Windows 10 end of support mean?
Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 on Oct. 14, 2025. From that date, it stopped releasing free security updates, new features and technical support for the operating system.
To give people more time, Microsoft offered consumers a one-year Extended Security Updates program, known as ESU. PCs enrolled in consumer ESU continue to receive critical and important security updates until Oct. 13, 2026. After that, those updates stop for home users.
Your computer will not suddenly stop working. Windows 10 will still start up, and your files and apps will still open. The problem is security. Every month, researchers and criminals find new flaws in software. Without updates, those holes stay open, and your PC becomes steadily easier to attack.
Extended Security Updates: how the program works
For home users, Microsoft offered several ways to enroll in the one-year ESU program. You could get it free by backing up your PC settings to OneDrive with Windows Backup while signed in with a Microsoft account, by redeeming Microsoft Rewards points, or by paying a one-time fee of about $30. In the European Economic Area, Microsoft agreed to offer the program to consumers without the backup requirement.
Businesses and schools have a separate, paid program that can run for up to three years, but it costs more each year and is aimed at organizations that need extra time to move large numbers of machines.
If you enrolled last year, your PC should have been receiving security updates through Windows Update. Those will end in October unless Microsoft announces changes. Check Microsoft’s support site for the latest information.
What still gets updated after Oct. 13
Not everything stops at once. Microsoft has said that it will keep providing security updates for Microsoft 365 apps, such as Word, Excel and Outlook, on Windows 10 until October 2028. Microsoft Defender Antivirus will keep receiving threat definition updates for a period as well, and the Edge browser is expected to keep getting updates for some time.
Those updates help, but they do not fix weaknesses in Windows itself. An up-to-date browser and antivirus running on an unpatched operating system is still more exposed than a fully supported computer.
Can your PC run Windows 11?
Windows 11 is a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs, but the requirements are stricter than for Windows 10. In broad terms, your PC needs:
- A supported 64-bit processor, generally Intel 8th generation or newer, or AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer, with some exceptions
- A security chip called TPM 2.0, which is enabled on most computers made since around 2018
- UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability
- At least 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage
The easiest way to check is Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app, or simply open Windows Update in Settings. If your PC is eligible, you will usually see an offer to upgrade.
Windows 10 end of support: 7 simple steps to stay safe
1. Check your version and eligibility
Open Settings, go to System, then About, to see which version of Windows you have. Then run PC Health Check or look in Windows Update to see whether Windows 11 is available for your machine.
2. Back up everything first
Before any upgrade or change, back up your files: photos, documents, email archives and anything else you cannot replace. Use an external drive, a cloud service or both. Upgrades rarely go wrong, but a backup means it does not matter if one does.
3. Upgrade to Windows 11 if you can
If your PC is eligible, upgrading is usually the simplest path. Your files and most apps come with you. The upgrade takes an hour or two, and it is free. Windows 11 will continue to receive security updates for years.
4. If you cannot upgrade, decide on a plan
If your PC does not meet the requirements, you have three realistic choices: replace the computer, switch to a different operating system, or keep using Windows 10 with extra caution for a limited time. The sections below explain each.
5. Keep your browser and antivirus up to date
Whatever you decide, make sure your web browser, antivirus and other key apps are set to update automatically. Most attacks reach computers through the browser, email attachments or downloads.
6. Strengthen your accounts
Use strong, unique passwords, turn on two-factor authentication and switch to passkeys where you can. Our guide to what passkeys are explains how they protect your accounts even if your computer has weaknesses.
7. Be extra careful with links and downloads
An unpatched PC is more vulnerable to malicious links and fake downloads. Do not install software from unknown websites, and be skeptical of messages urging you to click. Our guide on how to spot a scam text covers the common tricks.
Option: buy a new computer
If your PC is more than six or seven years old and cannot run Windows 11, it may be time for a new one. A modern Windows 11 laptop will be faster, more secure and more energy efficient than a machine from the mid-2010s.
Before you buy, think about what you actually use the computer for. For email, web browsing and documents, an inexpensive laptop is often enough. For photo or video editing, gaming or heavy multitasking, you will want more memory and a faster processor.
Look out for back-to-school and holiday sales, which often bring good discounts on laptops in October and November.
Option: switch to Linux or ChromeOS Flex
If your computer still works well but cannot run Windows 11, you can install a different operating system for free. Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint are designed to be friendly for people coming from Windows, and they receive regular security updates.
Google’s ChromeOS Flex turns many older laptops and desktops into something like a Chromebook, focused on the web browser and cloud apps. It is a good fit for people who mostly use a computer for browsing, email and streaming.
Both options have a learning curve, and some Windows programs will not run on them. Try them from a USB stick first, without installing, to see how your hardware and your habits cope.
Option: keep using Windows 10 for now
Some people will keep using Windows 10 after October, whether because of cost, older software or simple inertia. If you do, reduce your risk. Keep your browser and antivirus current, avoid storing sensitive data on the machine, use a standard user account rather than an administrator account for daily use, and consider taking the computer offline for tasks that do not need the internet.
This should be a short-term arrangement. The longer an unsupported PC stays online, the more known vulnerabilities pile up.
How to upgrade, step by step
If your computer is eligible, the upgrade process is straightforward:
- Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage.
- Plug a laptop into power, since the process can take an hour or more.
- Open Settings, then Windows Update, and select Check for updates.
- If an upgrade offer appears, select Download and install.
- Let the computer restart as many times as it needs. Do not switch it off during the process.
- After it finishes, sign in, check that your files and apps are there, and run Windows Update again to install the latest fixes.
If the offer does not appear on an eligible machine, Microsoft’s Installation Assistant tool can start the upgrade manually. If anything goes wrong in the first days afterwards, the recovery settings usually let you roll back to your old system for a limited time.
What feels different after upgrading
Most people adjust quickly, but a few changes stand out. The Start menu and taskbar icons sit in the center of the screen by default, though you can move them back to the left in the taskbar settings. The right-click menu is simpler, with older options tucked behind a “Show more options” link.
The newer system adds features such as snap layouts, which make it easy to arrange several windows side by side, and built-in AI tools. You can switch off many of the extras if you prefer a cleaner screen. Give yourself a week, and most of the changes will feel normal.
Printers, older software and accessories
Before you upgrade or switch, check the equipment and programs you rely on. Most printers, scanners, webcams and keyboards work without problems, but some very old devices may lack updated drivers. Visit the manufacturer’s website to confirm support.
Older software, particularly specialist programs for businesses, hobbies or accounting, may need an update. If you use a program that is no longer maintained, test it carefully, or ask the developer about compatibility, before committing.
If you are moving to Linux or ChromeOS Flex, check this even more carefully, since many Windows programs will not run there.
Buying a refurbished computer
A new computer does not have to be brand new. Refurbished laptops and desktops from reputable sellers, including manufacturers’ own outlet stores, can offer good value, especially for business-class models that were built to last.
Make sure any refurbished machine meets the newer hardware requirements, comes with a warranty and has a genuine, activated copy of the operating system. Avoid very cheap listings that offer Windows 10 machines as a bargain, since you would face the same problem again.
Helping older relatives
Older parents and grandparents are among the most likely to still be using an old computer, and among the most likely to be targeted by scammers. If you help family members with technology, check their machines this month.
See whether their PC can upgrade, and if it cannot, talk through whether a tablet, a Chromebook or an inexpensive new laptop would suit how they actually use it. Many older users mainly need email, video calls, banking and browsing, which simpler devices handle well. Set up automatic updates and backups, and show them how to recognize fake security warnings, which often appear on screen claiming the computer is infected and urging a phone call.
What this means for small businesses
Small businesses running Windows 10 face the same deadline, with added risk. A single infected computer can expose customer data, payment systems or accounting records. Businesses can buy the commercial version of Extended Security Updates, which can continue for longer than the consumer program, but the cost rises each year, so it is best treated as a bridge rather than a plan.
Make a list of every computer the business uses, check which ones can upgrade, and budget to replace the rest. Check that business software, printers and card readers will work after the change. If you handle customer payment data, talk to your payment provider about security requirements for the devices you use.
Keeping Windows 11 secure after upgrading
Upgrading solves the update problem, but good habits still matter. Leave automatic updates switched on, and restart your computer when updates ask you to. Use the built-in Windows Security app, which includes antivirus, firewall and device security features, and check it occasionally for warnings.
Sign in with a Microsoft account protected by a strong password and two-factor authentication, or set up Windows Hello with a PIN, fingerprint or face recognition. Keep a regular backup of important files, because no security system protects against every threat, including accidental deletion and hardware failure.
Beware of unofficial workarounds
Online guides show ways to force Windows 11 onto unsupported hardware by bypassing the TPM and processor checks. Microsoft warns that PCs installed this way may not receive updates and are not supported. Some tools found online are also bundled with malware.
If you try this route, understand the risks and download tools only from well-known sources. For most people, one of the official options above is safer.
Recycling or selling your old PC
If you replace your computer, do not simply throw the old one away. Computers contain materials that should be recycled properly, and many electronics retailers and local councils or municipalities offer free recycling.
Before you recycle, sell or give it away, wipe your personal data. In Windows, the Reset this PC option with the setting to remove everything and clean the drive is a good start. For extra certainty, especially with older hard drives, consider professional data destruction.
Why Microsoft is ending Windows 10
Microsoft says Windows 11 is built around modern security features, such as the TPM chip and Secure Boot, that make it harder for attackers to take control of a PC. Supporting older systems indefinitely also costs money and slows down development.
Critics, including consumer groups and environmental campaigners, argue that the strict hardware requirements force people to replace computers that still work, creating electronic waste and extra costs for households. Those concerns are one reason Microsoft offered the extra year of consumer security updates.
Windows 10 end of support: common questions
When do Windows 10 security updates end?
Free updates ended on Oct. 14, 2025. Consumers enrolled in Extended Security Updates receive security fixes until Oct. 13, 2026.
Will my Windows 10 computer stop working?
No. It will keep working, but it will no longer receive security updates, which makes it more vulnerable over time.
Is the Windows 11 upgrade free?
Yes, for eligible Windows 10 PCs that meet the hardware requirements.
How do I know if my PC can run Windows 11?
Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app or check Windows Update in Settings.
Can I still use Microsoft 365 on Windows 10?
Yes. Microsoft has said it will keep providing security updates for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 until October 2028.
Check your PC’s eligibility this week and back up your files, whatever you decide to do next. For official guidance, visit Microsoft Support, and see our technology section for more guides.
