From Tuesday Microsoft will no longer offer free support as standard for Windows 10, an operating system that is used by millions of computer and laptop owners around the world.
Figures for September suggest four in 10 of those using Microsoft Windows worldwide were still using Windows 10, despite the introduction of its successor, Windows 11, in 2021.
What is happening to Windows 10?
After 14 October 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide standard free software updates, security fixes or technical assistance to Windows 10 PCs.
This means computers running the software will still work but it will steadily become more vulnerable to viruses and malware as bugs and security holes are discovered.
Microsoft says the more up-to-date system, Windows 11, “meets the current demands for heightened security by default”.
What’s the risk?
If Windows users do nothing, they could become particularly vulnerable to hackers who are attracted to wide-scale systemic weaknesses.
Which consumer group? warned that about 5 million British computer users plan to continue using devices running the software.
Wherever in the world you are, by continuing to use Windows 10 you will put yourself at risk of cyber-attacks, data theft and scams.
Criminals “are going to target people, they are going to exploit weaknesses and they are going to want to steal your data,” says Lisa Barber, the editor of Which? Tech magazine.
How do I reduce the threat?
The most straightforward move is to update to Windows 11 for free.
If your PC is less than four years old it will probably be able to run Windows 11. To find out, check your computer specifications. The minimum specifications for Windows 11 are 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, but computers also need a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0), which stores credentials in a secure chip, similar to all modern smartphones.
Microsoft has a free tool to check whether a computer running Windows 10 will support Windows 11 and Which? has an online tool to check compatibility based on the processor in your computer.
What if my computer lacks the necessary hardware to upgrade to Windows 11?
Doing nothing could leave you vulnerable to malware and other security breaches. One option is to sign up for Microsoft’s one-year extended security update, which will ensure protection until 13 October 2026.
That will give you another year to plan for the end of support and make alternative arrangements.
Signing up is free if you log into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account to sync your settings, otherwise you will need to pay $30, plus tax, or redeem 1,000 reward points.
Is there an alternative to Windows 11?
Other computer operating systems can provide safe and secure use for PCs that cannot upgrade to Windows 11.
One solution is to install Linux, which is a family of free operating systems that come in various flavors or “distributions”.
Make sure you back up all your files to an external drive or similar safe storage, as replacing Windows is likely to wipe them or make them hard to access.
One of the most popular and user-friendly versions of Linux is Canonical’s Ubuntu, which is free, open source and supported with security updates. You will need a USB flash drive to install it in place of Windows, but Canonical has a step-by-step guide you can follow.
Bear in mind that while plenty of software supports Linux, not all Windows apps will have Linux versions.
Alternatively, if most of what you need a computer for can be performed using a browser, Google offers a version of its lightweight ChromeOS that can be installed on a number of PCs for free. Check that your model is supported and then follow Google’s ChromeOS Flex installation guide. You will need a USB flash drive.
Buy a new computer
If your computer cannot install alternative software or you need Windows, then another alternative is simply to buy a new PC with Windows 11 and support.
Many retailers operate trade-in schemes that take back your old computer for recycling and offer a small discount on new models. Alternatively, refurbished Windows 11 machines are widely available from various retailers, such as Currys, marketplaces such as Back Market and manufacturers, such as Dell for lower cost.
