Are you prepared for Windows 10 end of life (EOL)? Microsoft will withdraw support for the platform in October 2025, but some users are resigned to sticking with the OS. Are there other options? Let’s find out.
Microsoft traditionally sets a countdown for previous operating systems when it introduces new versions. The story is not different for Windows 10. The company remains adamant about ending support for its most popular Windows version.
But users are not out of options. I’ll explore your prospects so you can make the right decision before the date arrives.
What Does Windows 10 End of Life (or End of Support) Mean?
According to Microsoft, “End of life and end of support are terms that refer to the end of technical support and security updates for Windows 10. After 10 years, this older version of Windows will no longer receive free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes.”
That’s what it means. “Windows 10 end of support” does not suggest your computer will become unusable because it still runs the OS after Microsoft’s deadline.
Also interesting: Timeline of All Windows OS Versions: From Start to Now
When is Windows 10 end of life?
October 14, 2025. Microsoft first announced plans to sunset Windows 10 after launching Windows 11.
The company gave users the next dose of reality in its April 2023 Windows client roadmap update article. The piece essentially closed the book on future Windows 10 versions after 22H2 and reiterated the October 14, 2025, end-of-life date. Only monthly security patches would be deployed to the OS until the company retires it.
However, users running the Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 version will continue receiving security updates until January 9, 2029. But those running the Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 will only enjoy security updates until January 12, 2027, for some reason.
Why Is Microsoft Retiring Windows 10?
Microsoft has ended support for every other operating system years after launching new versions. So, this move is not unprecedented.
- Security risks and vulnerabilities
Security should be your main concern. Withdrawing support means Microsoft will no longer be responsible for your computer’s security, leaving you open to potential attacks.
While there are third-party options, there’s nothing like official security support.
- Software compatibility issues
Microsoft 365 apps will no longer be supported on Windows 10 after October 14, 2025. If you rely on these apps to get work done, you may have to start thinking about alternatives, such as Office 2021.
Microsoft will also stop releasing updates to components like Windows Security and .NET frameworks for Windows 10.
Further, software patches and other hotfixes released through Windows Update will no longer be available. Most of these components make applications run smoothly, and we don’t know how this will affect apps and games in the future
- What about third-party applications?
As for third-party applications, there are no indications that app developers are planning to ditch Windows 10 en masse even after the end-of-life date. It’s pretty obvious that millions of people will stick around for a while with the OS if we look at history.
One thing is clear, though: developers will also move on from Windows 10 at some point, especially when they start incorporating features and components exclusive to Windows 11. For example, Google stopped releasing supported Chrome versions for Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 after its January 10 Chrome 109 version.
It means you may start missing out future helpful features in certain apps if you stick with Windows 10 for too long.
- Windows 11 exclusive features
Some features, like Voice Access and the Copilot app, are exclusive to Windows 11. I can confirm that Voice Access is pretty awesome. But so are Live Captions and Windows Studio Effects. You’ll never use these features if you stick with Windows 10.
What’s more, Windows 11 still has long years of feature, quality, and cumulative updates ahead of it. That means it’ll become the superior operating system by far somewhere in the future.
There are plans to boost the operating system’s performance and energy efficiency. That way, it can resolve overheating concerns for laptop users and desktop gamers don’t have to always think about cleaning out cooling systems.
- Technical assistance
Microsoft’s technical support team will no longer be available to Windows 10 users when they encounter errors they cannot fix. If you try, the best response you’ll receive will be an “upgrade to Windows 11” advice.
Why Do Users Insist on Sticking with Windows 10?
My secondary computer, an old Dell laptop, cannot run Windows 11 unless I bypass the TPM requirements. So I did that. But I quickly returned to Windows 10 because it just felt better for the device. Windows 11 looked out of place and was too buggy for the machine.
Read: Windows 10 vs. Windows 11: What Are the Key Differences?
Many others feel the same way. Some Reddit users still choose to stick with Windows 10, despite having PCs that meet the TPM requirements. Also, users with incompatible devices don’t want to bypass Windows 11’s requirements, given Microsoft’s caveat and security warnings.
The following are some annoyances keeping me and most of these users:
- The icons in my taskbar disappear sometimes for reasons I can’t make out yet. I’d have to restart Windows File Explorer through the Task Manager to get them back.
- People are not comfortable with some design changes, such as the context menu in File Explorer that only shows extended options when you click “Show more options.”
- You cannot seem to move the taskbar how you see fit.
- More Control Panel options now redirect you to the Settings app.
- Some users of the somewhat nitpicking variety don’t like the ton of bloatware that accompanies Windows 11. I am one of them. Opening the Start menu for the first time can be quite a messy experience. You’ll see a lot of apps you never asked for staring at you.
However, many of the reasons people hated Windows 11 a year ago are gone. Microsoft has tweaked some Start menu functions (which isn’t enough for most users), returned some taskbar features, and cleaned out some of the annoying bugs (the disappearing taskbar issue is still there).
What Are Your Options Moving Forward?
As mentioned, you have options, even after Windows 10 end of support. Let’s explore them.
Upgrading to Windows 11
This is the easiest and safest option if you have a compatible device.
Upgrading to Windows 11 involves heading to the Windows Update client and hitting the Download button next to the Windows 11 upgrade banner. This process takes you straight to Windows 11, and you won’t lose your files and applications.
Still, there are other methods, such as using the media creation tool, downloading the ISO file, or using the update assistant. You can also perform a clean installation.
If you want to perform a clean installation, remember to back up your files.
Read: Best Ways to Transfer Files to Your New Windows 11 Computer
What if my hardware is incompatible?
You can still upgrade to Windows 11 with your incompatible device. Just ensure you read Microsoft’s warning about the matter before making the move.
Most computers can handle Windows 11 just fine as long as they have the required 64 GB of free space and 4 GB of system memory. As for the uncertainty about updates, nothing indicates that Microsoft is preventing incompatible devices from installing them.
What are the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11?
For starters, you’ll be switching to an operating system with ongoing security and technical support. Also, Microsoft will continue refining Windows 11 as it has done in the past by bringing back some Windows 10 features, such as the widely loved taskbar ungrouping function.
Other reasons include the following:
- You’ll have access to exclusive Windows 11 features, such as Snap layouts, Voice Access, Live Captions, and Windows Studio Effects.
- While access to AI is limited, it’s better than in Windows 10. The Copilot preview application and the Image Creator (also preview) feature in Paint already offer Windows users AI capabilities at their fingertips.
- Productivity is better in Windows 11 with Microsoft Teams integration and better external display support (Windows will remember your previous layout when connected to multiple monitors).
- Apart from ongoing security support, the TPM requirement significantly strengthens your computer’s encryption and further reduces loopholes that attackers can exploit.
- Gaming features like DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and DirectX 12 Ultimate may not be perfect yet, but are still a step up from Windows 10 and indicate a great outlook for Windows 11’s gaming experience.
Some users claimed Windows 11 turned out to be the right fix for overheating problems, as their computers became cooler after they switched.
Switching to another operating system
You can consider switching to a different operating system after the Windows 10 22H2 end-of-life date if:
- You don’t fancy Windows 11 at all.
- You don’t want to see constant reminders that your computer isn’t compatible.
- You don’t want to risk bugs and other incompatibility inconveniences.
There are different options to consider.
Important: Ensure you back up your data before switching to another operating system.
Linux
Linux is one of the most popular Windows alternatives. It’s Unix-based, free, and open-sourced. So it naturally has many different iterations (called distros). Some can be difficult to understand and use, while others, like Linux Mint and Zorin OS, are designed for beginners.
Zorin OS is particularly easier for users making the switch to Windows, as it offers a decent level of compatibility with Windows apps.
However, Linux can have a steep learning curve, even with the beginner-friendly distros. While compatibility layers exist, like in Zorin OS, they don’t always work flawlessly. The platform also lacks significant support for gaming and other Windows-ready use cases.
Tiny11
Tiny11 is a leaner version of Windows 11 that allows you to use the operating system without its bloatware telemetry. It also allows you to install the operating system on older hardware without Windows 11’s strict system requirements.
Note: Tiny11 is developed by a third party without connections to Microsoft. You should not write off security risks and vulnerabilities, as core Windows resources may have been edited. There are also other stripped-down Windows 11 offerings from other developers, such as ReviOS.
You may experience some issues, especially with third-party apps that rely on the libraries and features removed to make Tiny11 lean.
ChromeOS
ChromeOS is Google’s open-source operating system, mainly preinstalled in Chromebooks. While you can find workarounds to install it on your laptop, you may experience compatibility problems.
However, ChromeOS Flex is available for every computer and provides the full suite of ChromeOS features, except support for Android apps.
ChromeOS is ideal for light everyday use if you mostly depend on Google’s and third-party web applications. It’s not great for gaming, running Adobe software, or using other Windows- and macOS-based applications.
Staying on Windows 10
I’ve explained why staying on Windows 10 may not be a good idea. However, you still have a few options if you want to stick with the OS even after the end-of-support date.
Using Microsoft’s ESU subscription
Microsoft announced good news about its Extended Security Updates program on December 5, 2023. The not-so-good news is that users will have to pay.
The company will deploy security updates for 3 years on a subscription plan that doubles every year. The program does not include bug fixes for issues not caused by the updates themselves and technical support.
Windows Enterprise customers who intend to use the traditional license will fork out $61 in the first. This figure implies that they’ll pay $122 the next year and $244 in the final year, a total of $427. Customers using Microsoft cloud-based update management solutions, such as Windows Autopatch and Microsoft Intune, will pay a total of $315 ($45 + $90 + $180).
Windows 10 Education Edition users will pay $7 total ($1 + $2 + $4). Microsoft has not announced prices for regular consumers yet.
Using a third-party solution
After end of life of Windows 10, users can also go for third-party solutions, such as 0patch. That said, 0patch’s free version only installs 0-day patches. You’ll have to pay a yearly fee for the main post-Windows 10 end-of-support patches.
Windows 10 End of Support: Are You Prepared?
Ultimately, your security should inform your decision. Our recommendation is to migrate to Windows 11 if you can. However, if you choose to stick around after the Windows 10 end-of-life date, ensure you make security provisions. Keep running formidable antivirus programs, use competent firewalls, and avoid visiting questionable websites.
