Still Running Windows 10? Your Options Now That Support Has Ended

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Home users who enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program got one more year of security patches, and that year ran out on October 13, 2026. If you still have a Windows 10 computer, it has now stopped receiving the fixes that keep it safe online. The PC will not suddenly break, and you do not need to panic, but it is time to choose what happens next. This guide walks through the options, from a free upgrade to giving an old machine a second life.

What "end of support" actually means

When an operating system reaches end of support, the company stops releasing:

• Security updates that close holes attackers can use.
• Bug fixes and reliability improvements.
• Technical help from Microsoft support.

Everything else keeps working. Your files stay where they are, your apps open and your PC boots as normal. The risk builds slowly: each month, security researchers and criminals find new vulnerabilities, and on an unsupported system those stay open. Over time, software makers also drop support for older systems, so browsers, security tools and other apps will eventually stop updating on Windows 10 as well.

Businesses can buy further years of Extended Security Updates through Microsoft's volume licensing programs, but that route is not designed for individual home users.

Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11 for free

If your PC meets Microsoft's requirements, upgrading is the simplest move. It is free for eligible PCs running a genuine, activated copy of Windows 10, and your files and most apps carry over.

Check whether your PC qualifies

Download Microsoft's PC Health Check app, run it and select the Windows 11 check. It tells you whether your computer qualifies and, if not, why. The main requirements are:

• A supported 64-bit processor. Microsoft publishes lists of compatible Intel, AMD and Qualcomm chips; many processors from roughly 2018 onward qualify, but older ones often do not.
• TPM 2.0, a security chip or firmware feature. On many PCs it exists but is switched off in the firmware settings, where it may be labeled TPM, PTT (on Intel systems) or fTPM (on AMD).
• UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability.
• At least 4 GB of memory and 64 GB of storage.

If PC Health Check reports only that TPM or Secure Boot is off, look up your PC maker's instructions for enabling them. If it reports an unsupported processor, there is no setting that fixes that.

How to upgrade

1. Back up your files to an external drive or a cloud service.
2. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. Eligible PCs are offered Windows 11 there.
3. If the offer does not appear, Microsoft's Windows 11 download page provides an Installation Assistant.
4. Allow plenty of time; the upgrade can take an hour or more, and the PC restarts several times.

After upgrading, check that your printer, scanner and any specialist software still work. Most do, but older peripherals may need new drivers from the manufacturer. If your PC is slow after the upgrade, our guide to speeding up a slow Windows PC covers the usual fixes.

Option 2: Buy a new computer

If your PC fails the check and is also showing its age, with a worn battery, a slow hard drive or a cramped screen, replacing it may be the best value. Every new Windows PC sold now comes with Windows 11. It is also a good moment to reconsider which platform suits you; a Mac, a Chromebook or an iPad with a keyboard may cover what you actually do.

When shopping, prioritize a solid-state drive (SSD), enough memory for the way you work, and a processor generation recent enough to receive updates for years. Avoid heavily discounted old stock that only just meets current requirements.

Option 3: Install ChromeOS Flex

ChromeOS Flex is Google's free version of the Chromebook operating system for existing PCs and Macs. It is light, starts quickly and updates itself automatically, which makes it a good fit for an older laptop used mainly for web browsing, email, streaming and documents.

Things to know before switching:

• It erases the drive, so back up first.
• It does not run Windows programs. You work in the Chrome browser, web apps and some Android apps, depending on the device.
• Google publishes a list of certified models. Uncertified PCs may work but can have issues with Wi-Fi, sound or other hardware.
• You can try it from a USB stick before installing, which is a good way to check your hardware.

Option 4: Switch to Linux

Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint are free, receive regular security updates and run well on many older machines. Mint in particular has a desktop that will feel familiar to Windows users. Most everyday tasks are well covered: Firefox and Chrome run natively, LibreOffice handles documents and spreadsheets, and media players are easy to install.

The catch is software compatibility. Many Windows programs, some games with anti-cheat systems and certain specialist tools do not run on Linux. Like ChromeOS Flex, you can try most Linux versions from a USB stick without touching your existing installation.

Option 5: Keep Windows 10, but limit the risk

Some people need Windows 10 for a single program or device, such as an old scanner, embroidery machine or lab instrument. If you keep it:

• Disconnect it from the internet if you can, or at least avoid browsing and email on that machine.
• Keep antivirus definitions and your browser updated for as long as they are available.
• Use a standard user account rather than an administrator account for daily work.
• Back up regularly, so a ransomware infection would not cost you your files.

This is a stopgap for a specific job, not a plan for your main computer.

Comparing the options

If you are retiring the old PC

If you replace the computer, do not just throw it in the trash. Back up your files, sign out of your accounts, wipe the drive properly and use a recycling or trade-in program. Our guide to wiping and recycling an old computer explains each step.

Start by running PC Health Check today. If your PC qualifies, back up and upgrade. If it does not, decide whether it deserves a second life with ChromeOS Flex or Linux, or whether it is time for something new. Any of those is better than leaving an unpatched computer online.