Windows 10 Support Has Ended: Your Options Now

Your Windows 10 PC still turns on, still opens your files and still runs your apps. So what actually changed when support ended, and do you need to do anything about it?

Yes, you do, but you probably have more time and more options than you think. Microsoft has extended its consumer safety net to October 2027, and the upgrade path for many PCs is free. This guide walks through each option, how to check which ones your PC qualifies for, and what to do if your computer is too old for Windows 11.

What end of support actually means

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Your PC keeps working, but Microsoft no longer provides:

• Security updates (unless you enroll in Extended Security Updates)
• Feature updates or non-security bug fixes
• Technical support

The security piece is the one that matters. Attackers keep finding new flaws in Windows. Without patches, each new flaw stays open on your machine. Microsoft’s own support page warns that an unsupported PC is at greater risk from viruses and malware.

A few things still get updates for a while, which is useful when you plan:

• Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, Outlook and the rest) keep getting security updates on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028. Feature updates for them stop earlier.
• OneDrive’s desktop app keeps updating through October 10, 2028 on Windows 10 version 22H2.

Those app updates don’t protect Windows itself, so they’re not a substitute for the steps below.

Key takeaway: An unpatched Windows 10 PC isn’t broken, but it gets less safe every month. Either enroll it in Extended Security Updates now or move it to a supported system.

Your 5 options at a glance

Your choice mostly depends on one question: does your PC meet the Windows 11 requirements?

Step 1: check if your PC can run Windows 11

The upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free on eligible PCs. To check:

1. Open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Look for a message saying whether your PC meets the minimum requirements. If it’s eligible, you’ll see an option to download and install Windows 11.
3. For a detailed report, Microsoft’s PC Health Check app shows which requirement, if any, your PC fails.

Microsoft’s published minimums for Windows 11 include:

• A compatible 64-bit processor with 2 or more cores at 1 GHz or faster
• 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage
• UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability
• TPM version 2.0 (a security chip built into most PCs from recent years)
• DirectX 12 compatible graphics and a display larger than 9 inches at 720p or higher

The two requirements that most often block older PCs are the processor and TPM 2.0. Some PCs have TPM turned off in the firmware settings; PC Health Check will tell you whether that’s the problem, and your PC maker’s support site explains how to enable it.

Before you upgrade, back up your files. Upgrades usually keep your files and apps, but a backup costs little and protects against surprises. Our guide on how to back up your photos covers a simple 2-location plan that also works for documents.

Step 2: if you need more time, enroll in Extended Security Updates

The consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program delivers critical and important security patches to Windows 10 PCs. Microsoft originally planned for it to end in October 2026, then extended it. Microsoft now says ESU protects enrolled devices until October 12, 2027, and you can still enroll until then. If you already enrolled, coverage continues automatically.

Ways to pay:

• Free if you sync your PC settings with Windows Backup to your Microsoft account
• 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points
• A one-time $30 payment (plus tax)

One ESU license can cover up to 10 devices.

Who qualifies: PCs running Windows 10 version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstations) with the latest updates installed, signed in with a Microsoft account that has administrator rights. Child accounts, kiosk-mode PCs and PCs joined to a work domain or managed by an organization don’t qualify through the consumer program.

How to enroll:

1. Install all pending updates in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Look for the Enroll now link on the same page.
3. If you use a local account, sign in with a Microsoft account when prompted.
4. Choose backup, Rewards points or the one-time purchase.
5. To cover another PC, repeat on that device and choose Add device.

What ESU doesn’t include: new features, non-security fixes or technical support. It’s a bridge, not a long-term home.

Running a business? Business PCs on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise or Education in commercial use need the paid commercial ESU program, which Microsoft lists as available for up to 3 years, through October 10, 2028. Talk to your IT provider or Microsoft licensing partner. For broader planning, see how to choose a managed IT service provider.

Step 3: if your PC can’t run Windows 11, pick a path

Replace it

If the PC is more than 6 or 7 years old, slow or failing, a new computer is often the best value. You don’t have to stay with Windows. Our comparison of Mac vs Windows vs Chromebook matches each platform to budgets and apps. Before buying a cheap Windows laptop, check that it has enough memory; 16GB is a comfortable target.

Turn it into a Chromebook-style PC with ChromeOS Flex

ChromeOS Flex is a free version of Google’s ChromeOS for existing PCs and Macs with Intel or AMD processors. It’s a good fit for a family computer used mainly for browsing, email and streaming. Things to know:

• Google officially supports it only on models in its certified models list, which shows each model’s end-of-support year. Many other PCs work, but without guarantees.
• Installing it erases the drive, so back up first.
• It can’t run Windows programs.

Install Linux

Linux distributions such as Ubuntu or Linux Mint are free and run well on older hardware. They suit people comfortable learning a new system. Check that your printer and any must-have apps work before switching.

Keep using it offline

A PC used only for offline tasks, such as an old program for a hobby, can stay on Windows 10 with lower risk if you disconnect it from the internet and don’t use it for email, browsing or banking.

What not to do

• Don’t ignore it and keep banking online on an unpatched PC. That’s the riskiest choice.
• Don’t install “Windows 11 bypass” tools from random sites. Microsoft doesn’t recommend installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, and such devices may not get updates. Downloads from unknown sources can also carry malware.
• Don’t fall for “your Windows has expired” pop-ups or calls. Microsoft doesn’t call people about end of support. These are scams.
• Don’t throw the old PC in the trash. Wipe it and use a trade-in or e-waste recycling program.

Where to start this week

1. Back up your files to an external drive and a cloud service.
2. Run the Windows 11 check in Windows Update or PC Health Check.
3. If eligible, upgrade to Windows 11 at a time you don’t need the PC for a few hours.
4. If not eligible, enroll in ESU right away so you’re protected while you decide.
5. Plan the replacement before October 2027: a new PC, ChromeOS Flex or Linux.
6. Turn on stronger sign-in while you’re at it. Passkeys are supported on Windows; here’s how passkeys work.

Conclusion

The end of Windows 10 support is a deadline, not an emergency, as long as you act. If your PC qualifies, upgrade to Windows 11 for free. If it doesn’t, enroll in Extended Security Updates today, which can cost nothing, and use the time until October 2027 to choose a replacement calmly. Look up any unfamiliar terms, like TPM or UEFI, in our glossary.

Sources

• Microsoft Support: Windows 10 support has ended — end of support date, risks and upgrade options
• Microsoft: Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for consumers — ESU end date, cost options, eligibility and enrollment steps
• Microsoft Learn: Extended Security Updates FAQ — commercial ESU years and end dates
• Microsoft Learn: Windows 10 end of support and Microsoft 365 Apps — Microsoft 365 Apps and OneDrive update dates on Windows 10
• Microsoft: Windows 11 specifications — Windows 11 minimum hardware requirements
• Google: ChromeOS Flex certified models list — supported models and end-of-support years