When you should update and what it means for you

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

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

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

Microsoft is encouraging individuals to improve without cost to Home windows 11 – however not all computer systems will have the ability to try this.

“The tip of assist for Home windows 10 is shaping as much as be a catastrophe for each shoppers and the setting,” mentioned 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 may very well 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 assist ends.

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

Different client teams have criticised the top of Home windows 10 assist, saying it is going to result in pointless spending and environmental waste.

“Individuals are bored with dwelling in a world crammed with short-lived units we will not repair, or lose software program assist or are in any other case pressured into the waste stream,” mentioned Mr Proctor, who campaigns for the best to restore within the US.

He added: “We deserve tech that lasts.”

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

These will be finished within the “Privateness and Safety” part of your settings.

Individuals who personal PCs eligible for Home windows 11 can improve without cost.

Nevertheless, many individuals “must buy new units – although their present computer systems work simply high-quality,” mentioned Mr Proctor.

In case you do not need to improve right away, or your machine is just too outdated for Home windows 11, you may signal as much as a scheme which is able to proceed an important safety updates till October 2026.

That is known as Extended Security Updates (ESU) – however it doesn’t supply any technical assist or different software program updates.

To get it without cost, you have to to have up to date to the newest model of Home windows 10, have a Microsoft account and again up your PC settings.

In any other case, you need to pay a $30 (£22) charge or use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards factors to entry ESU.

For business organisations utilizing Home windows 10, it is going to price $61 per machine.

The precise quantity you pay is determined by the place on the planet you reside.

Since its launch in 2015, Microsoft has stored 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 without cost – however some older units will not have the ability to run the brand new working system.

It is usually making it tougher to make use of Home windows 11 without a Microsoft account – and one strategy to lengthen the lifetime of your Home windows 10 machine additionally requires a Microsoft account.

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

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

That may make your machine extra weak to threats comparable to viruses or malicious software program – as you will not get the newest defences towards assaults.

Now we have seen a variety of high-profile cyber-attacks in latest months, to companies starting from retailers to automotive producers and even a nursery chain.

Corporations can also “discover it difficult to take care of regulatory compliance with unsupported software program”, Microsoft Client Chief Advertising Officer Yusuf Mehdi wrote in a blog post.

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