Windows 10 is over — what to do after 14 October 2025

On 14 October 2025 Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10. No new security patches, no bug fixes, no official assistance. If you have a computer running Windows 10, it’s not the end of the world — but it’s time to decide what comes next.

This article helps you make that decision calmly and on your own terms. No panic (“you must buy a new PC right now!”) and no complacency (“but it still works”).

What actually stopped working on 14 October 2025

Windows 10 still boots and runs exactly as before. But Microsoft now:

• Issues no security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities
• Adds no new features
• Provides no technical support through Microsoft Support
• Stops improving compatibility with new hardware or software

In practice this shows up gradually. Antivirus vendors will keep supporting Windows 10 for a while yet, but Microsoft Defender won’t get new malware definitions — only the ones it already has. Banks and apps will start pushing for a newer system. And above all: any new vulnerability in Windows 10 stays unpatched forever.

Microsoft confirmed End of Support on 14 October 2025 on the official Windows 10 lifecycle page. It currently offers a paid Extended Security Updates programme for businesses and households alike (see below).

Three realistic scenarios

It all comes down to your computer and your budget. Here are three sensible paths.

1. Upgrade to Windows 11 (if the hardware is compatible)

For whom: a PC or laptop less than ~5 years old (roughly 2018-2019 onward).

Windows 11 requires:

• A CPU on Microsoft’s list — typically Intel 8th generation and newer, AMD Ryzen 2000+ and newer
• TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) — a security chip or firmware
• Secure Boot enabled in the BIOS
• 4 GB of RAM minimum (realistically we’d recommend 8-16 GB)
• A 64 GB disk minimum
• A DirectX 12 compatible graphics adapter

Microsoft will test compatibility for you via the PC Health Check app. If it passes, the upgrade is free.

Watch out: Microsoft left some older processors (Intel 7th gen, Ryzen 1000) off the official list even though they’re fast enough. There are ways to install Windows 11 on them too, but unsupported installs don’t receive updates — and that just moves a problem from Win 10 to Win 11 for no good reason.

2. ESU — the paid programme for Windows 10

For whom: a computer that genuinely can’t handle Win 11, but you don’t want to buy a new one yet.

In 2025-2026 Microsoft offers the Extended Security Updates programme — paid security patches for Windows 10 even after EOL. For households, the first year is available free by signing in with a Microsoft account (settings sync) or for a one-off fee. For businesses it’s a paid licence per device, and the price rises every year.

ESU buys time, not a solution. The maximum is about 3 years, and then it really is over.

You’ll find the current terms and ESU registration at Microsoft Extended Security Updates. The rules may change in 2026, so it’s worth verifying them directly with Microsoft.

3. A new or refurbished computer

For whom: a PC more than 7-8 years old, a slow laptop with an HDD instead of an SSD, a computer that no longer keeps up with today’s work.

In 2025-2026 the market for refurbished business laptops (ThinkPad, Latitude, EliteBook) is well stocked, and it often works out better than a new “consumer” line with a plastic chassis and 8 GB of RAM soldered in.

What to do now:

1. Assess the current state — what does the PC genuinely struggle with?
2. Work out what an upgrade would cost (SSD, RAM, Windows licence, a technician’s time).
3. Compare that against the price of a used ThinkPad or a new entry-level machine.

A good rule of thumb: upgrade only when the computer has a solid foundation (a reasonable processor, decent RAM, just an old disk). If the board dates from 2014, you’re only prolonging the agony.

SSD prices in 2025-2026 — what changed

The classic advice “an SSD upgrade fixes an old PC” still holds, but SSD prices rose sharply in 2025-2026 because of a worldwide NAND flash shortage — outlets such as Tom’s Hardware and AnandTech documented multiple-fold increases in wholesale prices through the year, driven by long-term contracts from data centres building AI infrastructure.

In practice that means:

• A 1 TB NVMe SSD costs noticeably more in 2026 than it did in 2024 (check current retail prices)
• SATA SSDs for older laptops went up similarly
• 2 TB and larger disks took the sharpest hit

The takeaway: an SSD upgrade still makes sense, but the price estimate you remember from 2023 no longer applies. Check the current price — and whether the upgrade makes economic sense against a refurbished machine that already has an SSD inside.

How to decide — a short checklist

Before you commit, run through:

1. What year was the PC or laptop made? If it’s 2018-2019 or newer, Win 11 will usually work. If it’s 2014 or older, plan for a replacement instead.
2. Do you have an SSD or an HDD? An HDD, regardless of age, is a slow brake. That’s the first thing to change.
3. How much RAM do you have? 4 GB is no longer enough in 2026, 8 GB is the minimum, 16 GB is comfortable.
4. What do you actually use the PC for? Office and a browser run fine even on an older machine. Photo/video/CAD/games want newer hardware.
5. Do you work with sensitive data? Then security (= an up-to-date system) is the priority, not “but it still runs”.

What to do if the move to Win 11 doesn’t pan out

This comes up often: the laptop is quick, everything works, but Microsoft says “CPU not supported”. Three sensible options:

• Pay for ESU and get 1-3 years of time, and plan the replacement in the meantime
• Switch to Linux (Linux Mint, Ubuntu) — it works for everyday office work and web browsing, but some Windows-only programs (specialised accounting or CAD) won’t run on it
• Get a refurbished machine with Win 11 — often cheaper than upgrading an old build

What not to do

• Don’t ignore it — the risk of ransomware attacks on unpatched Windows climbs steeply in 2026, and banks and antivirus vendors will gradually stop fully supporting Win 10.
• Don’t use “unofficial” Win 11 installs on old hardware without a plan — without updates you end up worse off than on Windows 10 with ESU.
• Don’t buy a new high-end PC if you only do Office and browsing. A refurbished business laptop at a fraction of the price is plenty.
• Don’t panic over “14 October 2025” — the PC won’t stop working that day. You have time to decide calmly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just keep Windows 10 and ignore this? You can, but at your own risk. Without updates, every new vulnerability in Win 10 stays open forever. For a computer used for accounting, online banking, or sensitive documents, that’s not sensible. For a backup machine used to play games offline, it may be fine.

Is ESU worth buying? If you need to buy time (1-2 years before you can replace the PC), ESU is a reasonable investment. If the computer is old and you’ll replace it anyway, better to put that money straight into a new machine.

My laptop can’t handle Windows 11 — what do I do with it? First confirm it really can’t (PC Health Check verifies TPM, Secure Boot, CPU). If it genuinely can’t, the options are ESU, Linux, or a replacement.

If I have Windows replaced, will I lose my data? No, as long as it’s planned. Standard practice is to back up your data before reinstalling (documents, photos, email, browser bookmarks, passwords). Then a clean Windows 11 goes on and the data comes back.