The long-anticipated day has finally arrived. As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft has officially ended support for the Windows 10 operating system. This means millions of PCs worldwide will no longer receive vital security patches, feature updates, or technical assistance from Microsoft.

While your Windows 10 computer will continue to function, continuing to use it now exposes it to significant risks, including malware, hackers, and other security vulnerabilities. If you're still on Windows 10, you have several paths to ensure your digital safety and keep your system protected.

Your primary options are:

Enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program: This service acts as a temporary safety net, providing critical security updates for Windows 10 for up to one additional year (until October 2026). You can enroll by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and looking for the ESU enrollment link. For most users outside the EU, this requires either a payment, redeeming Microsoft Rewards points, or using Windows Backup.
Upgrade to Windows 11: If your current PC meets the system requirements, you can upgrade directly. Check for the update by navigating to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and selecting "Check for updates."
Purchase a New Windows 11 PC: For devices that are not eligible for an upgrade or are simply too old, investing in a new laptop or desktop with Windows 11 pre-installed is the most robust long-term solution. Explore options like the Acer Aspire Go 15 for a budget-friendly upgrade.

Industry reports, such as those from Canalys Research, suggest that hundreds of millions of devices could be vulnerable following the end of support. Security experts unanimously advise against continuing with an unsupported operating system, as the lack of patches will make systems an easy target for cyberattacks.

The transition marks the end of an era for Windows 10, which launched in 2015. While saying goodbye can be difficult, moving to a supported platform is essential for maintaining your computer's security and performance.