Windows 10 support ending: what you can do

Martin Jud

22.9.2025

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

Free support for Windows 10 is ending on 14 October 2025. Anyone still working on the old system has only a few days left to decide: secure, upgrade or switch.

Originally published on 27 February 2025, this article has now been updated with all the new options Microsoft has announced since. These include ways to activate security updates without direct costs. Third-party providers such as 0Patch have also specified their plans. Here, you’ll find all the current options for protecting, continuing usage of or replacing your system.

This article is aimed at anyone who’s still using Windows 10 despite the approaching end of support. Maybe you like Windows 10 better than Windows 11. Or maybe your hardware doesn’t meet requirements for the new operating system.

For those affected, the discontinuation of security updates in particular is a problem. Microsoft points out that PCs will still continue to function after this date. However, the company recommends switching to Windows 11.

The downside of missing security updates is obvious – the risk of unpatched systems being compromised will steadily increase. Unless you only use your computer offline, of course. But that’s not your only option, there are several ways to act when support ends.

Here are your options

I’ll list a few ways forward:

• Keep Windows 10 and use Microsoft’s official security updates for another year – either for a fee, via Rewards points, with OneDrive backup or automatically in Azure environments.
• Keep Windows 10 and use third-party security updates from 0Patch – these will be available until at least 2030 for 25 euros a year (plus tax).
• Upgrade to Windows 11 for free (provided your hardware is supported).
• Install Windows 11 unofficially on unsupported hardware – for example by using the Rufus software.
• Buy a new computer with hardware that supports Windows 11.
• Switch to a Linux distribution that suits you and your PC.
• Consider macOS as an alternative – especially if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem.

If you decide to continue using Windows 10, there’s another security aspect to consider: Microsoft will continue to provide updates for the Defender antivirus software integrated in Windows 10 until October 2028. After that, you’ll have to switch to a different solution. Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel and Outlook will also receive security updates until at least October 2028 – but without any new features.

Keep Windows 10 and activate Microsoft’s security updates (for a fee or free of charge)

For the first time, Microsoft is offering a security update programme for private users: the so-called Extended Security Updates (ESU). This’ll keep your Windows 10 system protected until October 2026 – provided you activate the licence. The regular price is 30 dollars per device. Activation will happen directly via Windows Update, where an assistant has been rolled out since July 2025.

If you don’t want to pay, you can also obtain the licence without direct costs – if certain conditions are met. Either you activate the integrated Windows backup with OneDrive, or you redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. Both options are displayed in the ESU Wizard and can be selected directly. The licence is valid for up to ten devices as long as they’re connected to the same Microsoft account.

It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will offer a further extension after October 2026. There’s been no announcement for a second year of ESU yet. If you want to rely on Windows 10 in the long term, you should also look into alternatives such as 0Patch.

For users who run Windows 10 in Azure environments such as Windows 365 or on virtual machines, Microsoft provides ESU automatically and free of charge – provided the devices are connected to Microsoft Entra. This doesn’t apply to classic consumer PCs. Different conditions apply for companies: ESU costs 61 dollars perdevicein the first year, 122 dollars in the second and 244 dollars in the third. Anyone who joins later must pay retroactively for previous years.

Keep Windows 10 and rely on third-party security updates from 0Patch

At a similar price, but guaranteed for at least five years, you’ll continue to receive security updates for Windows 10 from 0Patch. For 25 euros plus tax per year and PC, the company offers more than just fixes for Windows 10. Micropatches for other versions such as Windows 7, 11 (v21H2), Server 2012 or older Office versions are also included.

0Patch also offers a free agent for private use, it’ll only provide you with 0-day fixes, though. The security fixes for Windows 10 and the like are only available for a fee.

Officially switch to Windows 11

If there’s no technical reason not to, you can upgrade to Windows 11 free of charge. To do this, click here. Then download the installation wizard from the download page and start it. If you’d like to create a USB installation medium, you can also obtain the Windows 11 media creation tool or a drive image from the website.

Unofficially upgrade to Windows 11 (with unsupported hardware)

The system requirements for Windows 11 are an obstacle for many computers. If you don’t have a TPM chip, for example, Windows 11 won’t be approved for hardware that might otherwise be strong enough. Microsoft is taking the path of increased security at the expense of potential electronic waste. That might make sense for businesses, but when it comes to private desktop PCs, I struggle to understand why I’d need storage encryption and the like.

If you want to use Windows 11 despite the lack of system requirements, you can. This can be done as an in-place upgrade, where existing data is transferred, or as a new installation. The easiest way to set up an unofficial installation is with the open-source software Rufus. I’ve explained how to do this in the following article:

Be aware that Microsoft doesn’t provide support for any problems with Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. There’s also no guarantee that updates will be installed automatically. So for major feature updates, you may have to install them yourself by performing an in-place upgrade with a new Windows image.

Whether the hardware will be sufficient in terms of performance is another matter. In principle, Windows 11 requires little or no more performance than its predecessor. You won’t notice a big difference between the operating systems. If the performance in Windows 10 is sufficient for you, your hardware will also likely do its job in Windows 11.

Buy a new computer

If you’re no longer satisfied with the performance of your device anyway, you can use the end of support as an opportunity to buy a new one. However, if you’re still happy, I wouldn’t buy new hardware just for Windows 11. Instead, consider one of the other options.

Switch to Linux (even an option for gamers these days)

Switching to Linux is a completely different approach. Since different operating systems are generally similar today, getting used to them will take less time than you might think. Even when gaming, you’ll hardly be restricted. If you use Steam, for example, nearly the entire library will be playable.

And for other software, there’s a solution or alternative for almost everything. For Microsoft Office software such as Word, Excel or Teams, use the 365 web version. Or you can switch to open source alternatives such as OnlyOffice or LibreOffice.

If you want to start with Linux but have no idea which distribution to choose, I recommend Linux Mint (Cinnamon Edition), Ubuntu or Zorin OS. Both are well suited for newcomers. If you want to use your computer primarily for gaming, it’s also worth taking a look at SteamOS clone Bazzite. Also, take a look at the comments under this article. Knowing our Community, plenty more great Linux tips should pop up there quickly.

Switch to macOS (if you live in the Apple universe anyway)

If you already use an iPhone, iPad or other Apple devices, you may want to consider switching to macOS. The integration between devices works seamlessly – AirDrop, iCloud, Handoff and co. interlock across systems.

macOS is considered stable, low maintenance and secure. If you’re not in the mood for registry tuning, driver problems or frustrating updates, you’ll find a quieter system here. The hardware is long-lasting too, even if it’s not as cheap.

However, the switch isn’t worthwhile for everyone. If you’re dependent on certain Windows programs, you should first check whether there are alternatives or web versions. This isn’t a problem for Office, Teams or Outlook, they all run on macOS. However, there may be restrictions for special software and games.

The MacBook Air models with an M2 or M3 chip are best suited here. These devices are quiet, fast and energy-efficient – plus, they’ll receive updates for years.

Martin Jud

Senior Editor

martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.ch

I find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.

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