Windows 10 Support End Date: A Simple Guide to Your Next Steps

When will Windows 10 support end? Unfortunately, it already has. The official date was October 14, 2025.

You might be wondering what this means for your computer and all the important stuff you keep on it. While the change probably feels like nothing since your PC still runs like it did before, it’s important to know that Windows 10 support ending does actually affect how safe everything will be going forward.

You know by now that an operating system that has reached the end of its life doesn’t just disappear (i.e., you’re probably using it now, and Windows turns on and functions just fine). But maybe you have some questions that revolve around security or what to do next. That’s what this guide is for.

Windows 10 Support Timeline: Key Dates and Versions

This table should help make sense of how Windows 10 reached the end of support.

Many people no doubt stayed on the Home or Pro editions of Windows 10 right up until support ended; both editions reached the same final date. So if you are still on Windows 10 today, what you have is an operating system that no longer receives free security fixes or new improvements. You can still use it, but things slowly change once the updates stop.

What Happened When Windows 10 Support Ended?

The end of support has changed what your Windows 10 computer receives from Microsoft. When Microsoft supported this OS, the computer would update with the latest features the company developed and provide your PC with security patches to ensure it was safe to use when accessing the internet and plugging in other devices.

Now, while the operating system still works, your files are at more risk than ever before. Here are the main things that happened when support ended:

• No free security patches
• No feature updates
• No technical assistance from Microsoft

An outdated and unsupported Windows 10 PC will keep running, and a lot of daily tasks will continue to feel familiar. At least, at first. So you might not notice anything right away. Over time, however, as virus makers and other bad actors have more time to take advantage of security holes, everything you do on your computer will slowly become less secure.

Security and Update Implications: Risks of Using Windows 10 After End of Support

A Windows 10 computer can keep at it for a long time, but the way it stays protected has already changed. The constant flow of security fixes you were used to getting from Microsoft stopped the moment support ended, so every new weakness discovered afterward remains open on your machine.

A few examples make this easier to picture.

• A new browser exploit might appear that lets someone run code on your system through a web page.
• A ransomware strain could target older Windows versions because the older code is easier to break into.
• Attackers can use unpatched privilege escalation flaws to gain full control of a computer.

Once support ended, each one of these problems stuck around instead of getting fixed. Microsoft saw the same pattern after Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 reached the end of support. The PC can keep running, and your files will continue to open like always, but the safety net under everything gets thinner every month as holes go unpatched.

This is why many people start thinking about upgrading or paying for updates, even if the computer still feels normal.

Upgrade and Transition Options: What Should Users Do?

Your now-outdated computer isn’t necessarily useless, but you need to think about where you want to go from here.

The most direct path is to move to Windows 11, assuming your hardware can handle it. Windows 11 is the latest version of Windows, and Microsoft’s website doesn’t even list its retirement date, so you can expect that it will continue to receive updates and new features for quite a while longer.

Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 should feel familiar because most of your files will stick around during the update. You’ll get a bunch of new features, a whole new taskbar and Start menu, and maybe most importantly, all the latest security updates.

Windows 10 users can install Windows 11 for free. Here is a simple way to upgrade:

1. Check your computer against the Windows 11 minimum requirements.
2. Back up important files somewhere safe. An external hard drive is best.
3. Start the upgrade through Windows Update or the official installation tool.

While a lot of computers qualify for a free move to Windows 11, some older systems do not. If your device falls into that group, consider upgrading to newer hardware or wait to see what Microsoft does with future versions of the Windows OS, like the rumored Windows 12.

Tip: Check if your PC is ready for Windows 11.

Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program: Paid Support After 2025

Do you want to stay on Windows 10 a little longer? Look into the Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10. It’s basically a paid way to keep getting security patches now that regular support has ended. If you’re willing to pay for it, your computer can stay protected against newer threats.

The ESU program might be a smart option for you if you can’t upgrade to Windows 11 right now. Maybe you’re too locked in to older apps that Windows 11 doesn’t support or that will break during an upgrade. This program could give you some breathing room while you figure out your next move.

It’s important to know that this program covers “critical and important” security updates only. That means it does not provide features or any of the following:

• Design improvements
• Non-security updates
• General support

The program runs until October 13, 2026, and costs a one-time fee of $30 (for home use; it’s more for businesses). If you want to keep Windows 10 but still get those important updates, this is the option that fills that gap until you transition later.

Your computer must be updated to Windows 10 version 22H2. For more requirements and information, visit Microsoft’s Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates page.

Next Steps for Windows 10 Users

The end of support for Windows 10 has already happened, so your focus should now be on what to do next.

Moving to Windows 11 will give you all the latest features from Microsoft, plus security fixes and other updates, on a steady schedule. So, the first thing to do is check if your device meets the Windows 11 upgrade requirements so that you can proceed with that, if possible.

If you can’t upgrade, that’s where the Extended Security Updates program comes into play. You’ll get extra security patches while you figure out your long-term plan. Even though you won’t get any of the latest features provided to Windows 11 folks, it does work as a cheap and temporary option if you’re worried about your files.

Tip: If you’re not interested in either path, take extra care using your PC. Keep all your apps updated as often as possible, especially your web browser and antivirus software.

Frequently Asked Questions