This week, Microsoft will end support for Windows 10.As of October 14, 2025, the firm will no longer provide free software updates for the decade-old PC operating system.First launched in 2015 as the successor to Windows 8, Windows 10 was itself superseded by Windows 11 in 2021.But for the last four years Microsoft has provided those still using Windows 10 with regular feature and security updates.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Read more: Millions of Windows 10 users warned to 'act now' or be put at risk Read more: Urgent countdown for Windows 10 users - you must act now or your PC is at risk That ends this week.If you want to keep using Windows 10 on your PC it will still work, but experts are warning that you may be at heightened risk of cyber attacks in future.Consumer watchdog Which? last week said it estimates 21 million people in the UK are still using Windows 10, with 5.4 million of those intending to continue to use it after October 14.Which? said those people should “act now to avoid security risks” and urged people to consider updating their machines to Windows 11, which Microsoft offers as a free software update.“If you have a home laptop or PC running Windows, now is the time to check which version you’re using and if it’s Windows 10 or older, make a plan of action,” said Lisa Barber, Editor of Which? Tech.Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT“If you don’t act, you could become more vulnerable to hackers and scams.“Luckily, in most cases there will be a free and easy solution available to you - whether that’s upgrading to Windows 11, or, if your computer is older and not compatible, opting for the one-year free extension to Windows 10 as a temporary measure.”Microsoft is offering this one year free extension of Windows 10 updates as part of its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which requires users to sync their data to Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud services.
Otherwise, it costs $30.Microsoft introduces Windows 11 in 2021 But some older Windows computers may not meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, leaving you faced with buying a new PC if you want to be safe.“[W]ith Windows 10's end-of-support scheduled for October 14, 2025, many users will transition to Windows 11 to continue receiving security updates,” said Anna Larkina, Web Content and Privacy Analysis Expert at Kaspersky.“After this date, unsupported Windows 10 systems will be at increased risk from unpatched vulnerabilities, encouraging upgrades to the newer operating system.”“Despite privacy considerations, transitioning to Windows 11 remains preferable for most Windows users due to the regular security updates that patch emerging vulnerabilities, which is especially important in the first year after the OS's release, when new threats are more common.”It’s thought that people ditching their functioning but potentially at-risk Windows 10 PCs could create unnecessary e-waste.“When operating systems like Windows 10 enter the end of support, this can become problematic for users, especially businesses,” said Mark Wall of Business Waste, a commercial waste management firm.“As cybersecurity becomes an increasingly important issue, many consumers and businesses are finding that they cannot afford to take risks when it comes to device security.”The company estimates the end of Windows 10 support could result in 14.4 million "obsolete" PCs in the UK, which could in turn generate 12,805,100kg of metals going to waste.Read next SUBSCRIBE Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you.
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