After Windows 7 and XP, Windows 10 became one of Microsoft’s most popular operating systems. However, its decade-long journey has officially concluded, as Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. This raises several questions — what will happen to the millions of active Windows 10 PCs? Will applications still function? To clear the confusion, here’s a breakdown of all the available options now that Windows 10 has reached its end-of-life (EOL) stage.
Can I Still Run Windows 10 After EOL?
As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft has stopped providing updates, including bug fixes, security patches, and feature improvements, for Windows 10. So, what does that mean for users still running Windows 10 devices?
Your Windows 10 computer will continue to operate as usual, but it won’t receive protection against newly discovered threats, leaving your system vulnerable. Over time, some apps or services may also stop functioning properly due to compatibility issues.
Still, tech-savvy users can continue using Windows 10 safely by manually keeping browsers and antivirus software up to date. Microsoft has confirmed that Microsoft Defender Antivirus will continue receiving virus definition updates until 2028, helping protect against the latest malware.
Additionally, Microsoft 365 (Office) applications will get security updates until 2028, though no new features will be added. Google has also announced continued support for Chrome, with no plans yet to discontinue updates for Windows 10. To compare, Google supported Chrome on Windows 7 until 2023 — three years after its end of support.
Despite these measures, the safest recommendation for most users is to upgrade to Windows 11 to stay secure and updated. However, if you wish to continue using Windows 10, you can join Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for free, explained below.
Enroll Into the Free ESU Program to Use Windows 10 Safely
Even after reaching end-of-support, Microsoft provides extended protection to older systems through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program — typically available for businesses and schools. The program offers vital security updates for a fee. However, for Windows 10, Microsoft is offering consumers a free ESU option.
To access this, link your Microsoft account with your Windows 10 PC and sync it with OneDrive to receive one year of free ESU updates. You can also redeem 1,000 Microsoft Reward points to get ESU for free.
If you prefer not to connect your Microsoft account, you can pay $30 for a year of ESU updates applicable to 10 PCs. Educational users can pay $1 per device in the first year, $2 in the second, and $4 in the third. Business clients, however, will pay $61, $122, and $244 per device, respectively, over three years.
Products |
ESU Start Date |
ESU End Date Year 1 |
ESU End Date Year 2 |
ESU End Date Year 3 |
Type of Security Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Windows 10 |
November 11, 2025 |
October 13, 2026 |
October 12, 2027 |
October 10, 2028 |
Critical, Important |
Currently, Microsoft has announced only a one-year ESU plan for home users, extending support until October 2026. While organizations can opt for a three-year plan, Microsoft hasn’t confirmed any extension for consumers beyond 2026. If no extension is announced, users will eventually need to move to Windows 11.
Bypass Hardware Requirements and Upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10
Some users remain on Windows 10 either by choice or because their PCs don’t meet Windows 11’s strict hardware criteria. If your device isn’t officially compatible, don’t worry — there are safe ways to bypass these requirements and install Windows 11 anyway.
You can use the Rufus tool to install Windows 11 even without a TPM chip, Secure Boot, or 4GB+ RAM. There’s also a Registry method mentioned in the guide for those who prefer not to use third-party tools.
With Windows 10 now at its end-of-life stage, upgrading to Windows 11 using these workarounds ensures better security without having to buy a new PC.
Switch to an Alternative OS: ChromeOS Flex or Linux Mint
If upgrading to Windows 11 isn’t viable, you can explore alternatives like ChromeOS Flex or Linux Mint. Although Windows 11 is my primary OS, I’ve used ChromeOS extensively and found it to be a capable and reliable desktop system — especially with Linux app support.
Interestingly, you can even run Windows apps on ChromeOS via Linux and Wine, and they perform quite well. The main difference between ChromeOS and ChromeOS Flex is the lack of Android app support in the latter, which isn’t a major drawback. You can still install Linux apps and even play PC games through Steam with the Proton layer.
Follow our tutorial to install ChromeOS Flex on your existing PC. It runs smoothly even with 4GB RAM and offers better battery life than Windows.
Alternatively, Linux Mint is another great choice with a familiar, Windows-like interface. It’s lightweight, secure, free, and easy to use. Apps can be installed through the Software Manager, similar to the Microsoft Store.
