What happens when Windows 10 support ends?
On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10. That date isn’t arbitrary—it marks the point where the company stops providing security updates, bug fixes, and technical support for the operating system. If you’re running Windows 10, you need to understand what this actually means and what your options are.
“End of support” doesn’t mean your computer will suddenly stop working. Windows 10 will continue to run, but you’ll be operating without a safety net. Think of it like an old car that’s past its warranty period: it still drives, but the manufacturer won’t fix anything that goes wrong.
What “end of support” actually means
When Microsoft ends support, they stop releasing security patches. Every week, security researchers discover new vulnerabilities—weaknesses that hackers can exploit. Microsoft normally patches these holes immediately. After October 14, 2025, they won’t. Any new vulnerabilities discovered in Windows 10 will remain unfixed forever.
This is the real danger. You’re not losing functionality overnight. Your files aren’t disappearing, your applications won’t stop launching, and the system won’t spontaneously break. What you’re losing is protection. Windows 10 becomes a target that stays vulnerable.
Microsoft also stops providing technical support. If something goes wrong, you can’t call them for help. And they stop fixing bugs—those annoying glitches that sometimes cause crashes or weird behavior. None of that gets addressed.
The real risks
The vulnerabilities that accumulate after support ends don’t disappear quietly. Hackers actively look for them. They write malware specifically designed to exploit Windows 10 vulnerabilities because they know millions of people will still be running it. A computer running unsupported Windows 10 is like leaving your front door unlocked: it’s not a guarantee you’ll get robbed, but you’re inviting trouble.
There are other problems too. Hardware manufacturers sometimes stop releasing drivers for older systems. Software developers may stop testing on outdated Windows versions. You might install a new program one day and find it doesn’t work on Windows 10 anymore. Over time, compatibility issues compound.
And if you’re using Windows 10 for business—especially handling sensitive customer data or financial information—you’re creating legal liability. Many compliance standards and industry regulations require systems to be on supported operating systems.
What you can do
The most straightforward option is upgrading to Windows 11. If your hardware supports it, a Windows 11 upgrade is relatively straightforward. Check Microsoft’s system requirements first—Windows 11 has stricter hardware demands than Windows 10. You’ll need a compatible processor, sufficient RAM, and a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip. Many computers from the last few years meet these requirements, but older hardware may not.
If your computer doesn’t meet Windows 11’s requirements, upgrading to a new PC is the practical alternative. This sounds expensive, but think of it as a one-time cost to maintain security and compatibility for the next several years.
For businesses, there’s a third option: Extended Security Updates (ESU). Microsoft offers to continue releasing security patches beyond the end-of-support date, but you have to pay for it. It’s intended as a bridge for organizations that need time to migrate to newer systems but can’t do it immediately.
The timeline matters
October 14, 2025 is the deadline, which gives you time to plan. But don’t wait until the last week to decide—supply chain issues, setup time, and data migration all take longer than you’d expect. If you need to replace hardware, it’s worth doing it sooner rather than later.
For many people, the transition to Windows 11 or a new computer will be straightforward. For others, it might involve upgrading hardware or replacing software that doesn’t work on newer systems. Start planning now so you’re not scrambling when the deadline arrives.
The key point is this: Windows 10 running for months or years after its end-of-support date isn’t a catastrophic mistake, but it’s a compromise you’re knowingly making. Every day you run it unpatched, you’re betting that the vulnerabilities being discovered aren’t ones that affect you. That’s a bet worth reconsidering.