Goodbye Windows 10! After 10 Years, Microsoft Officially Ends Free Support: What Can You Do

After almost ten years, it’s time to bid farewell to Windows 10! Microsoft has officially ended the free support for Windows 10 today, October 14, 2025. That means the operating system, which has been running on millions of PCs worldwide, won’t get any more security updates, bug fixes, or new features starting now.  Also Read: Don’t Ignore! Upgrade to Windows 11 Before Windows 10 Support Ends Tomorrow, Else..

If you are one of those Windows 10 fans who haven’t updated to Windows 11, then this is for you. However, the relief is that the end of Windows 10 support doesn’t mean your computer will suddenly stop working. It’ll still function as usual. But without updates, it becomes more open to security risks and online threats over time. Think of it like using an old phone that no longer gets updates – it still works, but it’s not exactly safe to keep using it for too long. Also Read: Microsoft Ending Windows 10 Support On October 14: Here’s What You Can Do Next

What Changes From Today

All versions of Windows 10 – Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education – are now officially out of support. Microsoft says Defender Antivirus will continue to get security intelligence updates until October 2028, but that’s only basic protection. Also Read: What Happens After Windows 10 Support Ends This October 2025? Here’s What You Should Do

If you’ve been postponing the switch to Windows 11, this is your sign to finally do it. Staying on Windows 10 means no new features, fewer compatible apps, and weaker performance over time. In fact, many software makers will eventually stop optimising their tools for it, which could lead to compatibility issues.

What About The Extended Security Updates (ESU)

For those who still need a bit of time, Microsoft is offering an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program starting October 15, 2025.

• You can access it through Windows Backup or Microsoft Rewards for free, or pay $30 per year per device.
• Businesses will need to pay $61 per device annually, renewable for up to three years.
• Windows 365 Cloud PCs and Windows 11 virtual setups will get ESU at no cost.
• These updates will only fix critical security issues – no new features or customer support.

What You Should Do Now

If your PC supports it, the best move is to upgrade to Windows 11. If that’s not an option yet, consider enrolling in ESU for short-term protection or exploring alternatives like Linux or ChromeOS.