Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. While your copy of Windows won’t suddenly shut down after October 15, Microsoft will no longer offer tech support or release security updates for Windows 10.
You might not face immediate issues if you continue using Windows 10, but the risks will become greater over time. You can check out our Windows 10 End of Life guide for some tips on how you can continue to get Windows 10 security updates from Microsoft until October 2026, but eventually you will have to leave it behind or face serious security risks.
Upgrading to Windows 11 on your existing (supported) machine or buying one of the best Windows laptops or the best computers with the latest operating system is the ideal solution here. However, we understand that some either can’t or won’t upgrade.
If you’re in that camp, here are some of the risks of continuing to use Windows 10.
Security risks
Let’s start with the biggest risk of Windows 10, and that’s security. Without the latest security updates from Microsoft, the operating system will be vulnerable to unpatched flaws, thus increasing the risk of malware, data breaches and cyber attacks. Windows Security Defender should still get anti-malware database updates, but that won’t entirely protect Windows 10.
Without updates, new vulnerabilities in Windows 10 won’t be fixed, which could make your system more vulnerable to exploits. The operating system will also be an easier target for malware authors, which increases the risk of infections and data loss.
Again, this is the main reason you don’t want to continue using Windows 10, but there are other risks.
Performance problems
Beyond security risks, system performance will degrade over time. This is something you’ve no doubt experienced when you haven’t updated in a while, so imagine how much worse it will be with an unpatched Windows 10.
Without regular updates, Windows 10 will become less efficient and less stable. It will also be more prone to operational problems, like system crashes and slower performance.
If you rely on your computer for work, having to deal with constant performance problems can cost you valuable time and money. You’ll only face worsening system performance over time.
Software compatibility
The last risk you’re taking by continuing to use Windows 10 after October 14 is that some software might eventually become incompatible with the operating system. Apps might stop working, or their functionality might be reduced since they’re no longer being updated for compatibility with Windows 10.
For instance, if you use a lot of peripherals, there will come a time when you can’t update to their latest respective software. That could cause devices like webcams, keyboards, mice and whatever else you might have connected to not work as intended or work at all. The lack of driver updates could also result in system crashes.
Keeping Windows 10 alive
If you’re not ready to move on yet, there’s a way to keep safely using the operating system for a while longer.
As we’ve previously said about how to keep Windows 10 alive, Microsoft is offering an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program that lets you keep receiving critical Windows 10 security updates for an additional year. The company is rolling out a new ESU enrollment wizard to Windows 10 users that will ask you to join the ESU program so your copy of Windows 10 can continue to get critical updates after October 2025. Basically, you can give your copy of Windows 10 a stay of execution until October 13, 2026 if you enroll.
Microsoft has offered similar extension programs during past Windows upgrade periods, but they’ve typically only been open to enterprise customers and big businesses. This is the first time the rest of us can enroll in such a program, and Microsoft is charging you $30 for the privilege. However, folks in Europe can enroll for free (via The Verge).
Outlook
While I understand that some don’t want to switch to Windows 11, it’s something you’ll eventually have to do. Adjusting to a new operating system will be far less risky and headache-inducing than continuing to use outdated and unsupported software.
As a software reviewer who has been using Windows 11 since launch, I can tell you that it’s not that functionally different from Windows 10 when it comes to everyday use. It has its issues, but it’s not impossible to learn. In other words, swapping from Windows 10 to Windows 11 won’t be as painful as you expect.
In the long run, you’ll experience more grief by continuing to use Windows 10. The risks simply aren’t worth it.
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