Windows 10 End of Support: Risks, ESU Options, and Migration Paths for UK Users

Five million people in the UK are now being widely reported as facing heightened cyber‑risk after Microsoft ended free security updates for Windows 10, but the real picture is more nuanced — and more urgent — than a single headline suggests.

Overview​

On 14 October 2025 Microsoft formally ended mainstream support and free security updates for Windows 10. That decision leaves millions of devices without routine security patches, and a consumer survey published in the run‑up to the cutoff found that a sizeable portion of UK Windows 10 users intend to keep using the OS after updates stop. Interpreting that survey correctly is important: the estimate commonly quoted — roughly 21 million people in the UK still using Windows 10, with about 26% saying they will continue after support ends — translates to roughly 5.4 million people continuing to use an unsupported OS, not necessarily 5 million households. Media shorthand has blurred those distinctions, which matters for policy, advice, and risk calculations.
This feature explains what the Windows 10 end‑of‑support (EoS) means in practice, why the number of at‑risk systems is large, what options are available for affected users (upgrade, Extended Security Updates, alternatives), and the practical steps households and small businesses should take now to reduce exposure. It also evaluates the broader social and environmental implications — from the paradox of a security‑driven hardware refresh to the potential for increased electronic waste — and flags the areas where claims and numbers are still uncertain.

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Background: what “end of support” actually means​

When Microsoft says an operating system is at “end of support,” the company stops providing:

• regular security patches,
• routine feature and quality updates, and
• official technical assistance for the platform.

A device running Windows 10 will continue to boot and run existing applications after 14 October 2025, but any newly discovered vulnerabilities in the OS will no longer receive fixes through Windows Update. Over time that increases the chance that a new exploit will be weaponised against unpatched PCs, and attackers commonly target unsupported software because the vendor will no longer release a patch.
Microsoft published a coordinated end‑of‑support timeline and parallel options for users — including a one‑year consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program that extends security patching to mid‑October 2026 for enrolled devices. The company has also reiterated that Windows 11 is the supported successor and emphasises security improvements in the newer OS.

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Why millions remain on Windows 10​

There are three overlapping reasons the user base is still large:

• Upgrade friction. Windows 11 has stricter minimum hardware requirements (TPM 2.0 or equivalent firmware TPM, UEFI with Secure Boot, 64‑bit dual‑core CPU at 1 GHz or higher, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage and other platform checks). Many older laptops and desktops — often perfectly usable for everyday tasks — fail one or more requirements.
• User choice and inertia. Some users prefer familiarity, avoid major upgrades because of workflow or compatibility concerns, or simply don’t know the deadline is imminent.
• Cost and access. Replacing a PC or paying for third‑party services (or ESU fees in certain scenarios) is a real expense for lower income households and small operations.

A nationally representative consumer survey conducted shortly before the cutoff found roughly 21 million people in the UK still using Windows 10 and that around 26% of those respondents said they planned to continue using the OS after updates stopped. That percentage, when applied to the estimated user base, yields a multi‑million figure of people who will be using Windows 10 without vendor‑provided security fixes.

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The immediate security impact: what changes on 15 October 2025​

• No more security patches by default. Newly discovered critical and important vulnerabilities in Windows 10 will not be patched as part of standard Windows Update.
• Attack surface grows over time. As exploits are discovered and weaponised, unsupported systems become increasingly attractive targets.
• Third‑party software remains a mixed bag. Many applications (browsers, antivirus engines, productivity suites) will continue to receive updates for a time, but the protection they afford may be undermined by an unpatched OS kernel or drivers.
• Residual support for some Microsoft services. Microsoft announced continued updates for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 for a limited time beyond the OS EoS, but that does not equate to full platform security for the OS itself.

This combination makes it clear that continuing to use Windows 10 after support ends increases risk — particularly for devices connected to the internet and handling sensitive data like banking credentials and personal documents.

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Options for households and small businesses​

There are four realistic avenues for staying secure after Windows 10 EoS. The best choice depends on a machine’s hardware, user needs, technical confidence, and budget.

1) Upgrade to Windows 11 (free when compatible)​

If your PC meets Windows 11’s system requirements, Microsoft’s upgrade path is free. Key requirements include:

• 64‑bit, dual‑core 1 GHz or faster CPU from the supported family,
• TPM 2.0 (or firmware TPM equivalents such as Intel PTT or AMD fTPM),
• UEFI firmware with Secure Boot,
• 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage minimum.

The company supplies tools (PC Health Check) and system dialogs that will show if the upgrade is available. For many users a free upgrade is the simplest route to continue receiving security updates long term.

2) Enrol in the consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU)​

Microsoft introduced a one‑year consumer ESU for Windows 10 devices to bridge transitions:

• ESU coverage runs from the EoS date through mid‑October 2026 for enrolled devices.
• Enrollment options typically include syncing settings to a Microsoft account (free route in some regions), redeeming loyalty points, or a one‑time fee (announced pricing is one‑off rather than an ongoing subscription for consumers).
• Enrollment requires signing into a Microsoft account; local accounts alone are not sufficient for activation of consumer ESU.

ESU is a pragmatic short‑term safety net, but it is explicitly temporary and intended to give users more time to migrate.

3) Move to an alternative operating system​

For older but still serviceable hardware, non‑Windows OS options can be viable:

• Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, etc.) provide modern security updates and can breathe new life into dated machines for web, email, media and office tasks.
• ChromeOS / ChromeOS Flex is another lightweight option aimed at web‑centric uses; ChromeOS Flex can be deployed on many older devices and benefits from Google’s update cadence.

Switching to a different OS may involve a learning curve and compatibility trade‑offs (Windows‑only applications, games, or peripheral drivers).

4) Buy a new PC or use cloud/virtual desktops​

Where hardware is the limiting factor or the user prefers a plug‑and‑play approach, buying a Windows 11‑compatible new PC or subscribing to cloud PC services (Windows 365, etc.) are long‑term fixes. These options have a higher immediate cost but reduce maintenance burden and improve security posture.

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Practical, step‑by‑step checklist for at‑risk households​

Follow these steps in sequence to reduce exposure and pick the right path:

• Back up critical data immediately (files, photos, documents). Use cloud backup (OneDrive, Google Drive, other) and an external drive.
• Check your PC’s Windows 11 eligibility using the PC Health Check app or Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• If eligible, prepare and perform the Windows 11 upgrade: update drivers and firmware, ensure backups, and follow on‑screen guidance.
• If not eligible, evaluate ESU enrollment by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and looking for the ESU enrollment option; be prepared to sign in with a Microsoft account.
• If neither upgrade nor ESU is acceptable, plan a migration to Linux or ChromeOS Flex (test with a USB live image first) or prepare a budget for a replacement device.
• Strengthen layered defenses regardless of OS choice: enable full‑disk encryption, use a reputable browser and antivirus, apply all remaining application updates, and enable multi‑factor authentication (MFA) for online services.
• Consider network hygiene: update router firmware, change default router passwords, and enable guest networks for IoT devices.
• If the device must remain on Windows 10 without ESU, minimise risk by using it offline where possible, avoiding high‑risk websites, and storing sensitive activities (banking) on an upgraded device or mobile.

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Costs, complexity and the fairness question​

The end of free security updates forces real choices that are unequally distributed.

• Direct monetary costs include potential ESU fees, the purchase of a new PC, or professional help to migrate and secure devices.
• Hidden costs are time, loss of familiarity, software compatibility work, and possible need to purchase new software versions or subscriptions.
• Equity concerns arise because lower income households and older adults are more likely to own older hardware and less likely to be able to afford replacement or assisted migration.

Policy and community interventions — subsidised upgrade programs, trade‑in schemes, local computer‑refurbish initiatives, and clearer communications targeted at vulnerable groups — can reduce harm. Manufacturers, retailers, and governments have roles to play in minimising the digital divide this transition can deepen.

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Environmental consequences: the e‑waste paradox​

Security can drive hardware refresh cycles. Analysts warned that stricter Windows 11 requirements could accelerate device turnover where a software security policy effectively demands hardware replacement. Industry research estimates tied to previous transitions projected that a substantial percentage of older devices could be retired rather than repurposed.
This outcome raises both environmental and social policy questions:

• Are there scalable, secure refurbishment options that preserve device life while protecting users?
• Can industry incentives be designed so that security transitions don’t disproportionately create single‑use electronics and landfill?

Households should be encouraged to recycle old devices responsibly or donate to certified refurbishers rather than discarding them.

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Strengths of Microsoft’s approach — and where it falls short​

Strengths:

• Clarity on dates and migration paths. Microsoft set an explicit EoS date and provided a structured consumer ESU path to reduce abrupt abandonment.
• Consumer ESU option. Offering a limited, relatively low‑cost security extension recognises that hardware replacement is not always feasible immediately.
• A clear security rationale for Windows 11. TPM, virtualization‑based security and other features in Windows 11 do materially reduce certain classes of attack when properly enabled.

Shortcomings and risks:

• Mandatory Microsoft account for ESU enrolment upsets users who prefer local accounts or who have privacy concerns.
• Single‑year ESU is temporary and can feel like moving the problem down the road rather than solving it; users who defer may find themselves forced into replacement later.
• Mixed messaging and media oversimplification — headlines that conflate “people” with “households” or misstate the nuance of survey results risk confusing the public and exaggerating some policy responses.
• The digital equity gap remains a large unresolved policy issue; a security policy that treats hardware as disposable without accessible options for the economically vulnerable invites harm.

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Common misconceptions and clarifications​

• “My PC will stop working on 15 October 2025.” — False. The OS will keep functioning, but it will not receive new security updates unless enrolled in ESU or upgraded.
• “Antivirus software will fully protect me.” — False. Antivirus is a layer, not a substitute for OS security patches. An unpatched kernel or driver vulnerability can be exploited despite antivirus protections.
• “ESU is free for everyone.” — Misleading. ESU consumer enrolment has pathways to free activation (regionally dependent options like syncing settings to a Microsoft account in some areas), redeemable reward points, or a one‑time fee. However, activation typically requires signing in with a Microsoft account and the terms vary by region.
• “Switching to Linux will break everything.” — Partly true. Linux can support everyday tasks well, but some Windows‑only software will not run natively; solutions exist (compatibility layers, virtualization), but they introduce complexity.

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Recommended communications and policy actions for community leaders​

• Run targeted outreach to older adults, low‑income households and community centres explaining the risks and low‑cost options (ESU, Linux migration, recycling programs).
• Coordinate local refurbishment drives and vouchers for secure replacements to reduce e‑waste and bridge the affordability gap.
• Encourage retailers to offer trade‑in discounts, extended return windows and clear explanations of Windows 11 eligibility.
• Advocate for transparent, accessible step‑by‑step guides that demystify TPM checks, ESU enrolment, and backing up data.

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Critical analysis: balancing security, cost and environmental impact​

The transition away from Windows 10 is a defensible technical decision: operating systems must evolve to counter modern threats, and hardware‑backed security features are an important defence line. Microsoft’s insistence on TPM and UEFI Secure Boot for Windows 11 is built on hard technical grounds; these technologies enable protections that are difficult or impossible to replicate purely in software.
However, the execution and fallout matter. A single‑year consumer ESU is helpful as a bridge, but it is not an equitable long‑term solution. The requirement to use a Microsoft account for ESU raises legitimate privacy and autonomy concerns, particularly for those who deliberately avoid cloud‑connected accounts. Moreover, the environmental cost of forced or economically driven hardware churn could be significant if not mitigated by aggressive reuse, refurbishment and recycling programs.
There is also a social risk: mass confusion and contradictory headlines (people vs households, device counts vs user counts) can produce panic purchases, rushed migrations, or acceptance of poor security workarounds. A better outcome requires clear, consistent messaging from vendors, accessible help from community organisations, and coordinated offers from industry that prioritise affordability and reuse.

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Action plan: what households must do in the next 30 days​

• Back up now. Do not delay. Copies of documents and a disk image can be lifesavers.
• Check Windows Update for upgrade or ESU prompts; sign in with a Microsoft account if you plan to enrol for ESU.
• If your machine qualifies for Windows 11, schedule the upgrade when convenient and make sure device drivers and firmware are updated first.
• If your device is incompatible, evaluate Linux or ChromeOS Flex as a long‑term low‑cost option, or use ESU while preparing to replace the machine responsibly.
• Strengthen account security (enable MFA, change passwords, check bank statements regularly).

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Final assessment​

The end of Windows 10 updates is a landmark shift that exposes technical, economic and environmental trade‑offs. Reports that “5 million households” are at risk should be read carefully: the underlying consumer survey indicates millions of people may continue to use unsupported Windows 10 — a significant risk population — but the unit of analysis matters when crafting policy or estimating numbers for charitable or public assistance.
Microsoft has provided a patchwork of sensible technical options — a free upgrade when eligible, a one‑year consumer ESU, and push incentives to move to Windows 11 — but those measures do not eliminate social frictions. Households and small organisations must act now: back up, check eligibility, enrol for ESU if needed, and plan for long‑term migration. Public and private sector actors should prioritise support for the most vulnerable users and invest in reuse and refurbishment programs to avoid repeating the same cycle of insecurity and e‑waste on the next platform transition.

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Source: Birmingham Live https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/5-million-uk-households-risk-32633070/