When you must replace and what it means for you

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

Microsoft is ending assist for its Home windows 10 working system, which signifies that after Tuesday 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 folks to improve totally free to Home windows 11 – however not all computer systems will be capable to try this.

“The top of assist for Home windows 10 is shaping as much as be a catastrophe for each shoppers and the surroundings,” stated Nathan Proctor, senior director at US shopper group PIRG.

So, what does it imply for you?

Home windows is the world’s hottest laptop 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, in line with Statcounter.

Within the UK, shopper information Which? estimates there could possibly be 21 million folks nonetheless utilizing Home windows 10.

In September, it ran a survey which discovered a few 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 stated they deliberate to purchase a brand new laptop.

Different shopper teams have criticised the tip of Home windows 10 assist, saying it should result in pointless spending and environmental waste.

“Persons are uninterested in dwelling in a world full of short-lived units we will not repair, or lose software program assist or are in any other case pressured into the waste stream,” stated Mr Proctor, who campaigns for the appropriate 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 may be executed within the “Privateness and Safety” part of your settings.

Individuals who personal PCs eligible for Home windows 11 can improve totally free.

Nonetheless, many individuals “should buy new units – even if their present computer systems work simply fantastic,” stated Mr Proctor.

In the event you do not wish to improve right away, or your machine is just too outdated for Home windows 11, you possibly can signal as much as a scheme which is able to proceed a very powerful safety updates till October 2026.

That is known as Prolonged Safety Updates (ESU) – nevertheless it doesn’t supply any technical assist or different software program updates.

Folks dwelling within the European Financial Space will get it totally free by registering. For different customers to get it totally free, they should have up to date to the newest model of Home windows 10, have a Microsoft account and backed up their PC settings.

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

For business organisations utilizing Home windows 10, it should price $61 per machine.

The precise quantity you pay is determined by the place on the earth 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 totally free – however some older units will not be capable to run the brand new working system.

Additionally it is making it more durable to make use of Home windows 11 with no Microsoft account – and one method to lengthen the lifetime of your Home windows 10 machine additionally requires a Microsoft account.

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

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

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

We’ve got 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 may “discover it difficult to take care of regulatory compliance with unsupported software program”, Microsoft Client Chief Advertising Officer Yusuf Mehdi wrote in a weblog submit.

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