Windows 10 End of Support: What to Do Now

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Windows 10UpgradeSecurityMaintenance

What "End of Support" Means

Microsoft ended free support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Your PC still turns on and works, but it no longer receives security patches, so newly discovered vulnerabilities stay open. Running Windows 10 online without protection gets riskier every month—here are your realistic options.

Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11 (Free, If Eligible)

If your PC meets the requirements, this is the cleanest path and keeps your files and apps.

Check Compatibility

  1. The main blockers are TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Many PCs have them disabled in BIOS—turn them on first: enable TPM and Secure Boot for the Windows 11 upgrade.
  2. Run Microsoft's PC Health Check app to confirm eligibility.

Upgrade Without Losing Data

  1. If eligible, Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update will offer Windows 11.
  2. For a clean, fast result on aging hardware, consider a clean install of Windows 11 (back up first).

Option 2: Get Extended Security Updates (ESU)

If you can't upgrade yet, Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates for Windows 10—security-only patches for a limited time. Enroll through Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update if the option appears for your device. Treat it as a bridge, not a permanent fix.

Option 3: Buy or Build a New PC

Hardware that fails the Windows 11 check (older CPUs without TPM) is often six or more years old. If yours is struggling anyway, a new PC may cost less than fighting it. Weigh that against an upgrade first: the best PC upgrades to speed up an old computer.

Option 4: Stay on Windows 10 Safely (Short Term)

If you must stay for now:

  1. Keep Microsoft Defender and a firewall on.
  2. Use a modern, still-updated browser.
  3. Back up regularly: back up your PC.
  4. Avoid risky downloads—an unpatched OS is far easier to exploit.

The Bottom Line

Upgrade to Windows 11 if you can, use ESU as a bridge if you can't, and don't run an unsupported PC online indefinitely. Either way, back up your data first.

Cleaning up before you upgrade? Speed up a slow Windows PC so the upgrade runs on a tidy system.