Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Your PC still starts and your apps still run, but Windows 10 no longer gets new features, bug fixes or free security updates. If you are still using it, you have three realistic options: enrol in Extended Security Updates to buy time, upgrade the PC to Windows 11, or replace the PC.
This guide explains each option and walks through the upgrade.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2025 | Windows 10 support ended. No more free updates. |
| October 12, 2027 | Extended Security Updates (ESU) for home users end, after Microsoft added a second year to the programme. |
What end of support means in practice
- No security patches unless the PC is enrolled in ESU. New vulnerabilities stay open.
- No fixes or features. Bugs that appear from now on will not be corrected.
- Shrinking app support. Software makers gradually stop testing on Windows 10. Office 2021 and older are already out of support themselves.
- No Microsoft technical support for Windows 10 problems.
The risk is highest on PCs used for banking, email, shopping or work files.
Option 1: Extended Security Updates
ESU keeps critical and important security fixes coming through Windows Update. It adds nothing else. For home users it now runs until October 12, 2027.
- The PC must be on Windows 10 version 22H2.
- You enrol in Settings under Windows Update, signed in with a Microsoft account.
- Microsoft offers three ways to enrol: free if you sync your PC settings, 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a one-time $30 fee. Terms differ in some regions.
- One enrolment covers up to ten devices on the same account.
ESU is a bridge, not a destination. It makes sense for a PC that cannot run Windows 11 and that you plan to replace before late 2027.
Option 2: Upgrade to Windows 11
Check whether your PC is eligible
Windows 11 needs:
- A supported 64-bit processor, in general Intel 8th generation or AMD Ryzen 2000 series and newer
- 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage
- UEFI firmware with Secure Boot
- TPM 2.0
The quickest check is Microsoft's free PC Health Check app, which tells you whether the PC qualifies and, if not, which requirement fails. On many PCs from 2018 onward, TPM and Secure Boot are present but switched off in the BIOS and only need enabling.
How to upgrade
- Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage.
- Install pending Windows 10 updates so the PC is on version 22H2.
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If the PC is eligible you will see the offer to download and install Windows 11.
- If the offer does not appear, download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft's website and run it.
- Follow the prompts. The upgrade keeps your files, apps and settings and usually takes under an hour.
Do you need to buy a Windows 11 key?
Often not. If your Windows 10 is genuine and activated and the PC meets the requirements, the upgrade to the matching Windows 11 edition is free. Windows 10 Home becomes Windows 11 Home, and Pro becomes Pro.
You do need a key when:
- You are building a new PC or installing on a blank drive with no existing licence.
- Your current Windows is not activated.
- You want to move from Home to Pro for BitLocker, Remote Desktop or Hyper-V.
- You are setting up Windows 11 in a virtual machine.
For those cases see Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. Not sure which edition fits? Read our Windows 11 Home vs Pro comparison.
Option 3: Your PC cannot run Windows 11
- Check the BIOS first. Enabling TPM (often called PTT or fTPM) and Secure Boot fixes many failed checks.
- Use ESU until October 2027 while you plan a replacement.
- Replace the PC. A new or refurbished machine with a supported processor is the long-term fix.
Installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware with workarounds is possible, but Microsoft does not guarantee updates on those PCs, so it is not a dependable choice for a machine you rely on.
Which option should you choose?
- PC passes the Windows 11 check: upgrade now. It is free on an activated PC and gives you years of updates.
- PC fails the check but works well: enrol in ESU and plan to replace it before October 2027.
- Building or reinstalling from scratch: install Windows 11 directly rather than Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still use Windows 10 after support ended?
Yes, it keeps working. Without ESU it no longer receives security updates, which makes it riskier to use online over time.
Will I lose my files when upgrading to Windows 11?
No. An upgrade through Windows Update or the Installation Assistant keeps files, apps and settings. Back up first anyway.
Can I use my Windows 10 key to activate Windows 11?
A PC with an activated Windows 10 licence activates automatically after upgrading to the same edition of Windows 11. For a new installation on a PC without a licence, use a Windows 11 key.
Is Windows 11 slower than Windows 10?
On hardware that meets the requirements, performance is comparable. An SSD and 8 GB of RAM or more make the biggest difference on either version.
How long will Windows 11 be supported?
Windows 11 has no announced end date. Each yearly version is supported for a fixed period, and updating to the newest version keeps the PC covered.
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