Windows 10 is among the most popular operating systems, following Windows 7 and XP, but its decade-long support will end in October 2025. Microsoft has begun notifying users about upgrading to Windows 11, raising concerns about the fate of the millions of Windows 10 PCs still in operation and whether applications will function post-support.
What Happens After Windows 10 Support Ends?
As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft will cease all bug fixes, security patches, and feature updates for Windows 10, which currently holds a 58% market share, compared to Windows 11’s 38%. Although Windows 10 PCs will remain operational, they will no longer receive security updates, leaving users vulnerable to new threats. Additionally, compatibility issues with apps and services may arise over time due to the lack of official support.
Microsoft will also start displaying full-screen warnings urging users to transition to Windows 11 for enhanced security. Power users can mitigate risks by keeping their browsers and antivirus software updated, but upgrading to Windows 11 is advised for most users to ensure security and modern features.
Google Chrome will continue receiving updates on Windows 10, as the company maintained support for Chrome on Windows 7 until 2023, three years after its support ended.
For users who prefer to stick with Windows 10, the Extended Security Update (ESU) program offers critical security updates for a fee. Microsoft will extend support through this program for businesses and educational institutions, and consumers can enroll as well.
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 |
General consumers will need to pay $30 for one year of security updates on Windows 10. Educational institutions will pay $1 per device for the first year, $2 for the second, and $4 for the third year. Business customers, however, will incur costs of $61 per device for the first year, $122 for the second, and $244 for the third.
Microsoft currently offers only a one-year ESU plan for consumers, while educational and business customers can subscribe to a three-year plan. This means consumers can use Windows 10 only until October 2026 with the ESU update, and Microsoft has not confirmed any extensions beyond 2026 for consumers. Consequently, users may ultimately need to upgrade to Windows 11.
Bypass Hardware Requirements and Upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10
Some users remain on Windows 10 by choice, while others cannot upgrade due to Windows 11’s stricter hardware requirements. If your PC doesn’t meet these requirements, you can bypass them by following our guide to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10.
You can install Windows 11 without a TPM chip or Secure Boot support using the Rufus tool, and you can even skip the 4GB+ RAM requirement. Alternatively, a Registry workaround is available in our guide if you prefer not to use third-party software. Before Windows 10 reaches its end-of-life, consider upgrading to the safer option on your unsupported PC to avoid purchasing a new Windows 11 device.
Switch to an Alternative OS: ChromeOS Flex or Linux Mint
If upgrading to Windows 11 isn’t feasible, consider Chrome OS Flex or Linux Mint. While I primarily use Windows 11, I have extensively used ChromeOS, which has evolved from a web-based OS into a robust desktop operating system with built-in Linux app support.
I have successfully run Windows apps on my Chromebook using the Linux environment and Wine. The primary difference between ChromeOS and ChromeOS Flex is that the latter lacks Android app support, which isn’t a major drawback given the extensive capabilities of Linux apps. You can even install Steam on ChromeOS Flex to play PC games using the Proton layer.
Our detailed tutorial explains how to install ChromeOS Flex on your Windows PC. It performs well on 4GB of RAM and offers better battery life compared to Windows laptops.
Finally, consider Linux Mint, which features a familiar Windows-like interface. It is lightweight, secure, and free, working out of the box with an easy-to-use Software Manager for installing apps, similar to the Microsoft Store on Windows.
