When you should update and what it means for you

There’s a huge change coming for many individuals who use Home windows computer systems.

Microsoft is ending help for its Home windows 10 working system, which implies from Wednesday 14 October, these computer systems could also be in danger.

It’s because safety updates will cease, making units extra weak to assault.

Microsoft is encouraging individuals to improve totally free to Home windows 11 – however not all computer systems will be capable of try this.

“The top of help for Home windows 10 is shaping as much as be a catastrophe for each customers and the surroundings,” stated Nathan Proctor, senior director at US client group PIRG.

So, what does it imply for you?

Home windows is the world’s hottest pc working system, with Microsoft saying it’s used on over 1.4 billion units across the globe.

Round 43% of those had been utilizing Home windows 10 in July 2025, according to Statcounter.

Within the UK, client information Which? estimates there might be 21 million individuals nonetheless utilizing Home windows 10.

In September, it ran a survey which discovered a couple of quarter of these customers had been planning to proceed to make use of it even after Microsoft’s official help ends.

About one in seven stated they deliberate to purchase a brand new pc.

Different client teams have criticised the tip of Home windows 10 help, saying it can result in pointless spending and environmental waste.

“Persons are uninterested in residing in a world stuffed with short-lived units we will not repair, or lose software program help or are in any other case pressured into the waste stream,” stated Mr Proctor, who campaigns for the correct to restore within the US.

He added: “We deserve tech that lasts.”

Microsoft is basically giving private customers two choices: Replace to Home windows 11, or signal as much as obtain prolonged safety updates for 12 months.

These might be completed within the “Privateness and Safety” part of your settings.

Individuals who personal PCs eligible for Home windows 11 can improve totally free.

Nevertheless, many individuals “should buy new units – even if their present computer systems work simply tremendous,” stated Mr Proctor.

In the event you do not wish to improve right away, or your system is simply too outdated for Home windows 11, you possibly can signal as much as a scheme which is able to proceed crucial safety updates till October 2026.

That is referred to as Extended Security Updates (ESU) – nevertheless it doesn’t supply any technical help or different software program updates.

To get it totally free, you have to to have up to date to the most recent model of Home windows 10, have a Microsoft account and again up your PC settings.

In any other case, it’s a must to pay a $30 (£22) price or use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards factors to entry ESU.

For business organisations utilizing Home windows 10, it can price $61 per system.

The precise quantity you pay depends upon the place on this planet you reside.

Since its launch in 2015, Microsoft has saved Home windows 10 going with frequent software program updates.

These have been used to tweak or add new options, in addition to patch safety points and bugs.

The corporate recommends customers improve to Home windows 11 totally free – however some older units will not be capable of run the brand new working system.

It’s also making it tougher to make use of Home windows 11 without a Microsoft account – and one approach to prolong the lifetime of your Home windows 10 machine additionally requires a Microsoft account.

Some customers want to not log in with a Microsoft account for privateness causes.

Microsoft will cease sending crucial safety updates and fixes to Home windows 10 PCs.

That may make your system extra weak to threats akin to viruses or malicious software program – as you will not get the most recent defences in opposition to assaults.

We have now seen various high-profile cyber-attacks in latest months, to companies starting from retailers to automotive producers and even a nursery chain.

Firms might also “discover it difficult to take care of regulatory compliance with unsupported software program”, Microsoft Shopper Chief Advertising and marketing Officer Yusuf Mehdi wrote in a blog post.

You may additionally discover different software program might lose some performance as builders cease sending their newest options to older working programs.