Do You Really Have to Stop Using Windows 10?

The extremity is here—at least, it is for Windows 10. Microsoft officially stopped supporting nan decade-old operating strategy connected October 14, 2025.

There's 1 hiccup, though: Even though Windows 11 is simply a free update, much group still usage Windows 10 than Windows 11, according to statcounter.com, a tract that tracks operating strategy usage worldwide.

Plenty of people, it seems, either don't want to upgrade to Windows 11 aliases are utilizing devices that aren't supported. This intends millions of group could beryllium utilizing an operating strategy that’s nary longer receiving information updates.

If you're 1 of them, it makes consciousness to study what happens to your machine now—and what you should do astir it. Here's a summary of what's happening pinch Windows 10 and 4 options you person to switch it.

Windows 10 Will Keep Working (But It Will Be Less Secure)

Nothing successful peculiar is going to hap aft October 14. Your machine will support moving nan measurement it has, and you're improbable to tally into issues. That doesn't mean it's a awesome thought to support utilizing Windows 10, though.

That's because nan strategy will nary longer person information updates aliases patches from Microsoft. This won't matter overmuch until a caller Windows utilization is discovered. After that, though, your instrumentality will person vulnerabilities that will ne'er beryllium patched. At that point, you will beryllium astatine accrued consequence of attacks for illustration ransomware, wherever a microorganism encrypts each of your files and scammers request a costs successful bid to decrypt them. Continuing to usage Windows 10 semipermanent dramatically increases nan likelihood of these and different attacks.

There are different imaginable annoyances. Third-party developers, meaning nan companies that make nan package you usage and nan games you play, thin to extremity providing updates for operating systems that are nary longer officially supported. So, if a crippled adds caller features successful an update, you mightiness not beryllium capable to instal it. The aforesaid goes for nan package you trust connected to do your work: Over time, nan latest versions of your desktop apps won't tally connected Windows 10, meaning you'll miss retired connected features. There's besides a information angle. In summation to nary longer receiving information updates for your operating system, you'll besides yet extremity getting information updates for nan devices you use.

None of this will hap correct distant connected October 14. But you tin expect to commencement proceeding astir package makers dropping support for Windows 10 later on. It's a bully idea, then, to beryllium prepared.

Microsoft has 2 charismatic recommendations: updating your machine to Windows 11, which is free provided your machine supports it. The different proposal is to bargain a caller device, presumably one already moving Windows 11. Those aren't your only choices, though. You could switch Windows pinch different operating strategy entirely, for illustration ChromeOS aliases Linux. Let's talk done each 4 options.

Option 1: Try to Install Windows 11

The simplest thing, for astir people, is to upgrade to Windows 11. Yes, this is annoying if you for illustration Windows 10, but nan bully news is that Windows 11 is free, and nan irritating AI features are easy to move off.

Find retired whether your machine supports Windows 11 by opening Settings. Head to Settings > Privacy and Security > Windows Update. If your machine is compatible you should spot an Upgrade to Windows 11 option. From there, you tin click it to commencement nan update procedure. Note that it's mostly a bully thought to back up your computer earlier upgrading your operating system.