Microsoft is preparing to bid farewell to its wildly successful operating system, Windows 10, in October 2025. Despite being released nearly a decade ago in July 2015, Windows 10 has remained a favorite among consumers and businesses. As the end-of-support date approaches, Microsoft faces the challenge of convincing its vast user base to transition to the newer operating system, Windows 11.
Unlike past Windows versions, Windows 10 follows a 10-year support lifecycle. After October 14, 2025, PCs running Windows 10 will no longer receive security fixes through Windows Update unless owners opt for an Extended Security Updates subscription. This leaves PCs vulnerable to online attacks without the necessary patches. However, PCs running Windows 10 Enterprise Long Term Servicing editions have support lifecycles that extend beyond the 2025 deadline.
As the deadline looms, statistics from the US government’s Digital Analytics Program show a growing trend of Windows 11 overtaking Windows 10 in visits to government websites. Despite this shift, estimates suggest that over 35% of PCs will continue running Windows 10 post-October 2025. This raises concerns about the security of unsupported devices in the face of potential cyberattacks.
While Microsoft urges users to migrate to the latest version of its products, many obstacles stand in the way. Older hardware that doesn’t meet Windows 11’s compatibility standards, corporate IT policies, and user preferences may hinder the transition. Options for owners of incompatible PCs include installing non-Microsoft operating systems, attempting to install Windows 11 on unsuitable hardware, or simply continuing to run Windows 10 despite the lack of support.
To address the issue, Microsoft offers paid options to extend support for Windows 10 by three years. However, it remains uncertain how many consumers will opt to pay for updates. With hundreds of millions of PCs potentially running an outdated operating system by the end of 2025, the cybersecurity implications are significant. As the tech world faces the Windows 10 support deadline, the question remains – how will Microsoft and its users navigate this transition?