End of Support for Windows 10: What Risks You Face and What to Do Next

October 3, 2025 | By Pietro Dubsky

1. End of Windows 10 – When and Why

Microsoft has announced that October 14, 2025 will mark the official end of support for Windows 10. After this date, there will be:

  • no security updates,
  • no bug fixes,
  • no technical support.

Windows 10 will still work, but every day after this date will bring growing security risks. With hundreds of millions of PCs still running Windows 10, hackers will see it as a prime target.

2. What Risks Will You Face After October 2025

Unpatched vulnerabilities
Newly discovered security flaws will no longer be fixed. Hackers will exploit them freely.

Malware, viruses, and ransomware
Antivirus software cannot compensate for an insecure operating system. Expect more targeted attacks.

Data breaches and leaks
Personal files, banking information, or company data could be at risk of theft or loss.

Compatibility issues
Software vendors and hardware manufacturers will gradually stop supporting Windows 10. New apps and drivers may not work.

Legal and compliance problems
For businesses, running unsupported systems can mean breaking compliance rules and facing liability in case of data leaks.

3. What Are Your Options

Enable TPM in BIOS
Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0. Many PCs already have it – just disabled by default. Enabling it unlocks the upgrade path.

Free upgrade to Windows 11
If your hardware meets the requirements, you can upgrade at no cost and stay protected.

Switch to Linux
Modern Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or Zorin OS are easy to use, free, and safe. For web browsing, office work, and media, they are more than enough.

Buy a new PC
If your computer is too old for Windows 11, upgrading hardware may be the only option. A modern PC offers better security, performance, and energy efficiency.

4. Extended Security Updates (ESU) – Why It’s Only Temporary

Microsoft will offer ESU (Extended Security Updates) for Windows 10.
But:

  • it’s expensive,
  • it only provides security patches,
  • it’s short-term only.

It may help organizations bridge the gap, but for regular users it’s not a practical solution.

5. Practical Tips Before Switching

  • Check if your PC meets Windows 11 requirements.
  • Back up your important files before upgrading or switching OS.
  • Test Linux from a USB stick to see if it suits your needs.
  • When buying a new PC, look for security features like TPM, Secure Boot, and modern CPUs.

6. Conclusion – Why Staying on Windows 10 Is a Major Risk

Remaining on Windows 10 after October 14, 2025, is extremely risky. Hackers and malware will focus heavily on exploiting unpatched systems.

Your real options:

  • upgrade to Windows 11,
  • switch to Linux,
  • or buy a new device.

Microsoft’s decision may frustrate many users. Forcing people to buy new hardware just for the OS could backfire – and lead more users to choose Linux instead.

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