When it’s best to replace and what it means for you

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

Microsoft is ending help for its Home windows 10 working system, which signifies that after Tuesday 14 October, these computer systems could also be in danger.

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

Microsoft is encouraging folks to improve free of charge to Home windows 11 – however not all computer systems will be capable of try this.

“The top of help for Home windows 10 is shaping as much as be a catastrophe for each customers and the surroundings,” mentioned 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 have been utilizing Home windows 10 in July 2025, in line with Statcounter.

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

In September, it ran a survey which discovered a few quarter of these customers have been planning to proceed to make use of it even after Microsoft’s official help ends.

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

Different shopper teams have criticised the top of Home windows 10 help, saying it’ll result in pointless spending and environmental waste.

“Persons are bored with dwelling in a world full of short-lived units we won’t repair, or lose software program help or are in any other case compelled 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 basically 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 accomplished within the “Privateness and Safety” part of your settings.

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

Nonetheless, many individuals “must buy new units – even supposing their present computer systems work simply effective,” mentioned Mr Proctor.

If you happen to do not wish to improve right away, or your machine is just too previous for Home windows 11, you possibly can signal as much as a scheme which can proceed an important safety updates till October 2026.

That is referred to as Prolonged Safety Updates (ESU) – however it doesn’t provide any technical help or different software program updates.

Folks dwelling within the European Financial Space will get it free of charge by registering. For different customers to get it free of charge, 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 need to pay a $30 (£22) payment or use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards factors to entry ESU.

For industrial organisations utilizing Home windows 10, it’ll value $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 free of charge – however some older units will not be capable of run the brand new working system.

It is usually making it more durable to make use of Home windows 11 with out a Microsoft account – and one strategy 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 essential safety updates and fixes to Home windows 10 PCs.

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

We’ve seen quite a few high-profile cyber-attacks in latest months, to companies starting from retailers to automobile producers and even a nursery chain.

Firms might also “discover it difficult to keep up regulatory compliance with unsupported software program”, Microsoft Shopper Chief Advertising and marketing Officer Yusuf Mehdi wrote in a weblog submit.

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