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Microsoft has officially announced that the support for Windows 10 will come to an end on October 14, 2025. From that date onwards, the firm will cease offering security patches, bug fixes, and feature updates for the operating system—affecting millions of PCs globally that are still using Windows 10.

Windows 10 Will Continue Working, But Without Safeguarding

In a recent blog, Microsoft's EVP & Consumer CMO Yusuf Mehdi clarified that Windows 10 devices are not going to just cease to function after the deadline. They will no longer receive security updates, but they will be more susceptible to malware, online threats, and software compatibility issues.

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A little relief—Microsoft Defender Antivirus will receive security intelligence updates until October 2028, but Microsoft emphasises that this is no replacement for complete system updates.

Extended Security Updates Program Released

For those who are not yet ready to move on, Microsoft has launched the Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme. Beginning October 15, 2025, customers will be able to subscribe to ESU from their device settings.

For personal devices, there are three ways one can access ESU:

  • Free through Windows Backup
  • Free through Microsoft Rewards points
  • Paid subscription at $30 per device, per year

For companies, the plan is $61 per device per year, renewable for a maximum of three years. Cloud-based configurations such as Windows 11 Cloud PCs and Windows 365 virtual machines will receive ESU for free as part of the automatic setup.

Why Microsoft Is Moving On

The transition is part of Microsoft's plan to steer users toward Windows 11 and its next-generation Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft says that Windows 11 provides:

  • 62% fewer security incidents
  • Three times fewer firmware attacks
  • Up to 2.3x faster performance than Windows 10

For organisations, Microsoft offers 50% more efficient workflows and better ROI. Consumers are instead being tempted by AI-powered features like Recall, Cocreator in Paint, Restyle in Photos, and Copilot Vision—all Copilot+ PC exclusives.

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What Should You Do Next?

  • If you're upgrading from Windows 10, you will have to plan ahead. You can:
  • Upgrade to Windows 11 (if your computer is compatible).
  • Purchase a new Copilot+ computer.
  • Sign up for the ESU programme for temporary security protection.

The bottom line: Windows 10 isn't disappearing overnight, but October 14, 2025, is the cutoff date you can't miss.