It’s a tech tale as old as—well—October 2025. Imagine you're sipping coffee in your cozy German office or home, blissfully unaware that your trusty Windows 10 machine could soon be as obsolete as 3.5-inch floppy disks. That’s the reality for some 32 million computers in Germany, still running on Windows 10, even as we approach its expiration date for free security updates. The news is a harbinger (and a rather loud warning bell) for Windows users worldwide—so let’s dive into what the end of this era means for you.
According to IT security company Eset, 32 million systems in Germany alone are stubbornly sticking with Windows 10—a figure that translates to two-thirds of all Windows installations in the country. Why are these users digging in their heels? Is it pure nostalgia, or does everyone believe they have more time than they actually do?
Thorsten Urbanski, Eset’s Director of Marketing and Communications, is ringing the alarm bells: "Cybercriminals are just waiting for the day support ends." And that’s not an exaggeration. Unsupported systems are virtual playgrounds for hackers, turning them into breeding grounds for ransomware, phishing campaigns, and good old-fashioned cyber-espionage. Companies and private users alike should take heed, as the consequences—financial, personal, and organizational—could be dire.
The numbers are even starker in neighboring countries. Austria has an even higher share of Windows 10 systems in use, while Switzerland, cooler under pressure, brings that down to 55%. Relatively speaking, Germany is the stubborn holdout. Perhaps nostalgia or inertia is at play, but tech experts agree it’s a dangerous game of chicken with cyber threats.
However, it’s not without hiccups. At the recent Chaos Communication Congress, a researcher made headlines by demonstrating how to bypass Windows 11's BitLocker drive encryption via the network. Plus, users have been reporting difficulties with the latest Windows 11 24H2 update, especially during USB installations. Yikes.
Still, no system is perfect, and Microsoft continues to refine its defenses. Compared to staying on a dead-end system, upgrading significantly reduces your risk of becoming a target.
Windows 11 takes security seriously, but it’s also an indicator of a tectonic shift: users are being nudged toward tighter hardware-software integration. In the long term, this could mean fewer upgrade cycles but heftier upfront costs. Whether that's a fair trade-off will depend on Microsoft's ability to stabilize Windows 11 (and perhaps soften the hardware requirements, though don’t hold your breath).
Which path will you choose? Got questions or stories about your upgrade journey? Share with us on WindowsForum.com, where the community can help navigate the murky waters of post-2025 computing.
Source: heise online No rush to switch? 32 million computers in Germany still running Windows 10
Windows 10’s Retirement Party: No Cake, Just Cyber Risks
Microsoft had made it clear years ago: on October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer enjoy the cozy warmth of free security updates. Translation? Your system could be under siege from cybercriminals faster than you can say "ransomware."According to IT security company Eset, 32 million systems in Germany alone are stubbornly sticking with Windows 10—a figure that translates to two-thirds of all Windows installations in the country. Why are these users digging in their heels? Is it pure nostalgia, or does everyone believe they have more time than they actually do?
Thorsten Urbanski, Eset’s Director of Marketing and Communications, is ringing the alarm bells: "Cybercriminals are just waiting for the day support ends." And that’s not an exaggeration. Unsupported systems are virtual playgrounds for hackers, turning them into breeding grounds for ransomware, phishing campaigns, and good old-fashioned cyber-espionage. Companies and private users alike should take heed, as the consequences—financial, personal, and organizational—could be dire.
Deja Vu: Haven’t We Learned This Lesson Before?
The mass reluctance to make the jump to Windows 11 echoes the chaos around the end-of-life (EOL) for Windows 7, back in January 2020. At that time, only 20% of users were still using Windows 7, overshadowed by the overwhelming number who had upgraded to Windows 10. Compare that to the 70% currently clinging to Windows 10, and it's easy to see why this situation is raising eyebrows.The numbers are even starker in neighboring countries. Austria has an even higher share of Windows 10 systems in use, while Switzerland, cooler under pressure, brings that down to 55%. Relatively speaking, Germany is the stubborn holdout. Perhaps nostalgia or inertia is at play, but tech experts agree it’s a dangerous game of chicken with cyber threats.
Why Should You Care? The Real-World Implications
- No More Patches: Without updates, emerging vulnerabilities stay wide open. Forget about hackers needing creative tactics—they’ll simply waltz into old operating systems.
- Business Risks: Outdated systems, especially in organizations, create weak links in technological defenses. Thorsten Urbanski warns that insurance claims could be denied after attacks due to negligence. And that’s before we even talk about legal liabilities stemming from data breaches.
- Ransomware's Favorite Playground: Old operating systems are low-hanging fruit for ransomware. Think lost financial data or worse: being forced to pay attackers just to regain access to your own systems.
To Jump or Not to Jump: Windows 11 vs. Paid Security Extensions
Option 1: Upgrading to Windows 11
If you have the resources, Windows 11 offers several undeniable advantages. It’s the future of Windows computing and comes equipped with tightened security measures like hardware-layer defenses through TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and virtualization-based security.However, it’s not without hiccups. At the recent Chaos Communication Congress, a researcher made headlines by demonstrating how to bypass Windows 11's BitLocker drive encryption via the network. Plus, users have been reporting difficulties with the latest Windows 11 24H2 update, especially during USB installations. Yikes.
Still, no system is perfect, and Microsoft continues to refine its defenses. Compared to staying on a dead-end system, upgrading significantly reduces your risk of becoming a target.
Option 2: Extended Support Contracts
For those unwilling to make the leap just yet, Microsoft has dangled a carrot: paid security update extensions. Here’s the catch:- Corporate Customers: For enterprise users, year one of extended support will set you back around $61 per device. But the price climbs steeply for years two and three.
- Private Users: This is the first time Microsoft will offer paid extensions for individual users. These will cost a more manageable $30 per year per device, but they’re no permanent solution.
So Why Aren’t People Rushing to Upgrade?
The inertia to switch has several likely sources:- Legacy Software: Many businesses rely on proprietary applications tailor-made for Windows 10, and they might not run smoothly—or at all—on Windows 11. Rebuilding or upgrading that software is neither cheap nor quick.
- Hardware Compatibility: Here's the big “ouch.” Not all computers running Windows 10 are compatible with Windows 11. Microsoft’s strict hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and relatively modern CPUs, have left some users trapped unless they’re ready to buy new machines.
- Skill Gap: For less tech-savvy individuals, the idea of learning a new operating system is intimidating. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” right? The issue is, come October 2025, it will be broken.
The Bigger Picture: What Happened to Lifelong Operating Systems?
Time was, an operating system could last a decade (or more) with regular patching. But in today’s digital arms race, security threats evolve faster than versions of Fortnite, and staying on an outdated OS is as reckless as leaving your front door wide open.Windows 11 takes security seriously, but it’s also an indicator of a tectonic shift: users are being nudged toward tighter hardware-software integration. In the long term, this could mean fewer upgrade cycles but heftier upfront costs. Whether that's a fair trade-off will depend on Microsoft's ability to stabilize Windows 11 (and perhaps soften the hardware requirements, though don’t hold your breath).
What You Should Do Right Now
- Check Your Hardware: If you're on Windows 10, run the PC Health Check tool to see if your system meets the Windows 11 requirements.
- Backup, Backup, Backup: Before upgrading, make sure all files and systems are properly backed up.
- Consider Alternates: If upgrading isn’t feasible, investigate Linux distributions or Chromebooks as cheaper, secure options.
- Plan for Costs: If paid extended support is your only solution, start budgeting now.
Final Thoughts: Time to Embrace the Change
With the clock ticking, Windows users—especially those clinging to Windows 10—need to decide: Upgrade, adapt, or risk falling victim to escalating cybersecurity threats. The writing’s on the wall, and no, pressing Ctrl+Z won’t undo October 14, 2025.Which path will you choose? Got questions or stories about your upgrade journey? Share with us on WindowsForum.com, where the community can help navigate the murky waters of post-2025 computing.
Source: heise online No rush to switch? 32 million computers in Germany still running Windows 10