When you should update and what it means for you

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

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

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

Microsoft is encouraging folks to improve at no 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 atmosphere,” 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 gadgets 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 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 mentioned they deliberate to purchase a brand new pc.

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

“Persons are uninterested in dwelling in a world full of short-lived gadgets 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 proper 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 could be achieved within the “Privateness and Safety” part of your settings.

Individuals who personal PCs eligible for Home windows 11 can improve at no cost.

Nevertheless, many individuals “should buy new gadgets – even if their present computer systems work simply high-quality,” mentioned Mr Proctor.

When you do not need to improve immediately, or your gadget is simply too outdated for Home windows 11, you may signal as much as a scheme which is able to proceed an important safety updates till October 2026.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 referred to as Extended Security Updates (ESU) – but it surely doesn’t supply any technical assist or different software program updates.

To get it at no cost, you will have 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, it’s important to pay a $30 (£22) price or use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards factors to entry ESU.

For industrial organisations utilizing Home windows 10, it’ll value $61 per gadget.

The precise quantity you pay will depend on 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 at no cost – however some older gadgets will not have the ability to run the brand new working system.

Additionally it is 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 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 gadget extra weak to threats similar to viruses or malicious software program – as you will not get the newest defences towards 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.

Corporations may “discover it difficult to keep up regulatory compliance with unsupported software program”, Microsoft Client Chief Advertising and marketing 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.