When should you update and what it means for you

A big change is coming for many people who use Windows computers.

Microsoft is ending support for its Windows 10 operating system, meaning that starting Wednesday, October 14, those computers could be at risk.

This is because security updates will stop, making devices more vulnerable to attacks.

Microsoft is encouraging people to upgrade to Windows 11 for free, but not all computers will be able to do so.

“The end of support for Windows 10 is shaping up to be a disaster for both consumers and the environment,” said Nathan Proctor, senior director of US consumer group PIRG.

So what does this mean for you?

Windows is the world’s most popular computer operating system, with Microsoft claiming it is used on more than 1.4 billion devices worldwide.

About 43% of them were using Windows 10 as of July 2025, according to Statcounter.

In the United Kingdom, consumer guide Which? It is estimated that 21 million people could still be using Windows 10.

In September, a survey found that about a quarter of those users planned to continue using it even after Microsoft’s official support ended.

About one in seven people said they were considering buying a new computer.

Other consumer groups have criticized the end of support for Windows 10, saying it would lead to unnecessary spending and environmental waste.

“People are tired of living in a world full of ephemeral devices that we can’t repair, or that lose software support, or that are thrown into the waste stream,” said Mr. Proctor, who advocates for the right to repair in the United States.

He added: “We deserve technology that lasts. »

Microsoft essentially gives home users two options: update to Windows 11 or sign up to receive extended security updates for 12 months.

These can be done in the “Privacy & Security” section of your settings.

People with PCs eligible for Windows 11 can upgrade for free.

However, many people “will have to buy new devices, even if their current computers work perfectly,” Mr. Proctor said.

If you don’t want to upgrade right away or your device is too old for Windows 11, you can sign up for a program that will continue the most important security updates until October 2026.

These are called Extended Security Updates (ESU) – but they don’t offer any technical support or other software updates.

To get it for free, you’ll need to have updated to the latest version of Windows 10, have a Microsoft account, and back up your PC settings.

Otherwise, you must pay a $30 (£22) fee or use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points to access ESU.

For commercial organizations using Windows 10, it will cost $61 per device.

The exact amount you pay depends on where in the world you live.

Since its release in 2015, Microsoft has maintained Windows 10 with frequent software updates.

These were used to modify or add new features, as well as to fix security issues and bugs.

The company recommends users upgrade to Windows 11 for free, but some older devices won’t be able to run the new operating system.

It also makes it harder to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account – and one way to extend the life of your Windows 10 computer also requires a Microsoft account.

Some users prefer not to sign in with a Microsoft account for privacy reasons.

Microsoft will stop sending critical security updates and patches to Windows 10 PCs.

This can make your device more vulnerable to threats like viruses or malware because you won’t benefit from the latest defenses against attacks.

We’ve seen a number of high-profile cyberattacks in recent months, targeting businesses ranging from retailers to car manufacturers and even a nursery chain.

Businesses may also “struggle to maintain regulatory compliance with unsupported software,” Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s director of consumer marketing, wrote in a blog post.

You may also notice that other software might lose some features as developers stop pushing their latest features to older operating systems.