As Microsoft’s clock runs down on Windows 10 support, a new front has opened in the operating system upgrade push — and it’s not coming just from Redmond itself. ASUS, one of the world’s largest PC manufacturers, has taken an assertive stance in encouraging its customers to move to Windows 11 before time runs out. But beneath the surface of this transition, a bigger technological and strategic realignment is underway — one powered by artificial intelligence, a changing hardware landscape, and the broader ambitions of both Microsoft and its hardware partners.
Windows 10, first released in 2015, is closing in on its sunset date: Microsoft officially ends support on October 14, 2025. For over a year, the company has remained steadfast — no more free security updates, no new features, and, for most consumers, no patches for critical vulnerabilities after that deadline. Enterprise customers may have the option to purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for a limited period, but the average user will face a clear risk if they stay behind: running an unsupported OS in a world of rapidly mutating threats.
Microsoft has not been subtle in delivering this message. Recently, full-screen banners warning of Windows 10’s impending end began appearing on users’ desktops. The campaign is clear: “Move to Windows 11, or prepare to lose support.”
Now, ASUS — echoing Microsoft’s warnings almost verbatim — is turning up the heat. Citing both security and a new era of AI-powered computing, the company says users should avoid waiting until the deadline and instead transition now, ideally to a device "built for AI." This message, reported widely by outlets like Windows Report, Windows Latest, and others, signals a deep alignment between one of the world’s biggest PC brands and Microsoft’s vision for the future.
Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant framework, has become the spearhead for Windows 11’s most high-profile innovations. New Copilot+ PCs, including those from ASUS, feature silicon-level support for AI tasks, leveraging neural processing units (NPUs) to accelerate features such as generative text, image manipulation, automated workflows, and more.
ASUS’s messaging highlights this leap. According to statements referenced by Windows Report and other IT news sources, the company frames continued use of older, non-AI hardware as a dead end — not just in missing out on new features, but being left behind by the “next era of computing.” In ASUS's words, it’s about more than a fresh look or simple security updates; it’s about positioning oneself for what comes next.
For ASUS, whose business model depends on continued hardware sales, this is no minor advisory. It’s an active call for upgrading, wrapped in the language of technological progress and security, but with clear commercial incentives. Windows users are being nudged not merely to update their software, but to embrace a new generation of devices — one defined as much by its AI capabilities as by traditional specs like RAM or SSD size.
The hardware requirements for Copilot+ PCs (including an NPU capable of 40+ TOPS — Trillions of Operations Per Second, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD minimum) are substantially higher than baseline Windows 11 specs. Not all Windows 11-compatible devices will qualify for Copilot+ features, underscoring that even users who upgrade the OS on older hardware may miss out on flagship AI functions.
ASUS, in its public statements and on sales pages, has mirrored this guidance. The company is already retooling its marketing around AI-capable hardware and touting enhancements related to Copilot in its latest Zenbook and Vivobook models. Windows Report and Windows Latest have confirmed the authenticity of these statements, and Microsoft representatives have not contradicted their PC partners’ recommendations.
Virtualization and emulation provide interim lifelines for legacy apps but are less viable for mainstream use, especially as AI and security standards outpace the abilities of older machines.
For now, the Copilot+ revolution remains a premium affair. The hope, driven by both consumer demand and market competition, is that economies of scale will eventually drive down costs, making AI-powered PCs and their features accessible to all Windows users — not just those with deep pockets.
In the meantime, ASUS’s message is crystal clear: Don’t just wait for Windows 10 to expire; get ready now, and, if possible, prepare for a smarter, more capable generation of computing. Whether that vision lives up to its promise — or becomes just another page in the ever-turning story of technology’s next big thing — remains to be seen. For the millions still running Windows 10, the choice is closer, and more consequential, than ever.
Source: Windows Report ASUS urges Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 before support ends
The Windows 10 End-of-Life Countdown: Pressure Mounts
Windows 10, first released in 2015, is closing in on its sunset date: Microsoft officially ends support on October 14, 2025. For over a year, the company has remained steadfast — no more free security updates, no new features, and, for most consumers, no patches for critical vulnerabilities after that deadline. Enterprise customers may have the option to purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for a limited period, but the average user will face a clear risk if they stay behind: running an unsupported OS in a world of rapidly mutating threats.Microsoft has not been subtle in delivering this message. Recently, full-screen banners warning of Windows 10’s impending end began appearing on users’ desktops. The campaign is clear: “Move to Windows 11, or prepare to lose support.”
Now, ASUS — echoing Microsoft’s warnings almost verbatim — is turning up the heat. Citing both security and a new era of AI-powered computing, the company says users should avoid waiting until the deadline and instead transition now, ideally to a device "built for AI." This message, reported widely by outlets like Windows Report, Windows Latest, and others, signals a deep alignment between one of the world’s biggest PC brands and Microsoft’s vision for the future.
Beyond Security: The New AI-Ready Mandate
At first glance, the upgrade argument would seem familiar to anyone who has followed Microsoft’s operating system cycles: “Stay current for continued security and support.” But ASUS’s pitch adds a modern twist: today’s upgrades aren’t just about patching vulnerabilities or accessing a refreshed Start menu; they’re about preparing for the rise of on-device AI and the emergence of Copilot+ PCs.Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant framework, has become the spearhead for Windows 11’s most high-profile innovations. New Copilot+ PCs, including those from ASUS, feature silicon-level support for AI tasks, leveraging neural processing units (NPUs) to accelerate features such as generative text, image manipulation, automated workflows, and more.
ASUS’s messaging highlights this leap. According to statements referenced by Windows Report and other IT news sources, the company frames continued use of older, non-AI hardware as a dead end — not just in missing out on new features, but being left behind by the “next era of computing.” In ASUS's words, it’s about more than a fresh look or simple security updates; it’s about positioning oneself for what comes next.
The Cost of Entry: AI Hardware and the Premium Segment
The push for “AI-ready” PCs, however, is not without its hurdles. As of mid-2025, most Copilot+ devices, those equipped with AI-enhanced chipsets like Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, AMD’s Ryzen AI, or Intel’s Lunar Lake, are premium-priced, with many models starting above $1,000/£1,000. For users on aging laptops or desktops that can’t even pass the minimum requirements for Windows 11 — notably TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and modern CPUs — the implication is unambiguous: it’s time to buy a new PC.For ASUS, whose business model depends on continued hardware sales, this is no minor advisory. It’s an active call for upgrading, wrapped in the language of technological progress and security, but with clear commercial incentives. Windows users are being nudged not merely to update their software, but to embrace a new generation of devices — one defined as much by its AI capabilities as by traditional specs like RAM or SSD size.
Strengths: Driving Innovation and Security
This combined Microsoft-ASUS push brings several strengths:- Improved Security: Moving to a supported operating system is the best defense against new malware, ransomware, and zero-day exploits. Windows 11’s hardware requirements also elevate the baseline for device security.
- AI-Driven Experiences: Copilot and AI-powered features promise streamlined workflows, improved accessibility, and potent creative tools — from real-time translation to image generation and smart search.
- Ecosystem Investment: The Copilot+ hardware initiatives encourage developers to build for a new class of AI-enhanced apps, potentially driving faster innovation and a richer ecosystem.
Risks and Criticisms: Cost, E-Waste, and Exclusion
However, these strengths are weighed against substantial risks and criticisms:- Exclusion of Older Hardware: Millions of Windows 10 PCs, including those still highly capable by mid-2020s standards, don’t meet Windows 11’s strict hardware requirements. Users are effectively forced to choose between losing support or investing hundreds to thousands in new devices.
- Premium Price Point: The early wave of Copilot+ PCs targets the upper market — students, small businesses, and casual users may find the cost prohibitive, especially compared to the low hardware demands of previous Windows editions.
- E-Waste Concerns: The push to replace rather than repurpose older hardware intensifies concerns about electronics waste, placing pressure on both consumers and recyclers.
- AI Skepticism: Not all users see immediate value in on-device AI. Some question whether features like Copilot are more than gimmicks, particularly when generative AI’s practical applications for average users remain early-stage.
What’s Different This Time?
Historically, Microsoft has faced resistance during aggressive upgrade pushes, from the Windows XP to Windows Vista/7 transitions to the controversy over forced Windows 10 updates. But the current environment is unique due to three factors:- AI as a Differentiator: For the first time, hardware-level AI support is a central argument in the upgrade pitch, with distinct feature sets unavailable on older systems.
- Preemptive Pressure: ASUS and other OEMs — including HP, Lenovo, and Dell — are not passively supporting Microsoft; they are proactively aligning their messaging, preparing for marketing blitzes emphasizing both security and AI readiness.
- Security Stakes: The cyber threat landscape has evolved dramatically since previous OS retirements. With ransomware and supply chain attacks on the rise, the risks of running unsupported systems are higher, and governments/enterprises are setting aggressive minimum-security standards.
The Fine Print: Verification and Transparency
According to Microsoft’s official support documentation, Windows 10 support definitively ends in mid-October 2025 for Home and Pro editions. Extended Security Updates will be available — but only to enterprise customers for a fee, and with diminishing returns after three years.The hardware requirements for Copilot+ PCs (including an NPU capable of 40+ TOPS — Trillions of Operations Per Second, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD minimum) are substantially higher than baseline Windows 11 specs. Not all Windows 11-compatible devices will qualify for Copilot+ features, underscoring that even users who upgrade the OS on older hardware may miss out on flagship AI functions.
ASUS, in its public statements and on sales pages, has mirrored this guidance. The company is already retooling its marketing around AI-capable hardware and touting enhancements related to Copilot in its latest Zenbook and Vivobook models. Windows Report and Windows Latest have confirmed the authenticity of these statements, and Microsoft representatives have not contradicted their PC partners’ recommendations.
The User’s Dilemma: To Upgrade, Replace, or Hold Out
For many users, the message from ASUS and Microsoft presents an uncomfortable choice:- If your PC is Windows 11-compatible, you may be able to upgrade at no cost, though you’ll forego the most advanced AI features unless you have a Copilot+ device.
- If your PC doesn’t meet Windows 11 specs, you can continue running Windows 10 but at increasing risk post-support.
- Or, you may decide to invest in a new PC, ideally one labeled “AI-ready” — a purchase that likely carries a substantial price tag, but ensures compatibility with the latest Windows ecosystem.
Alternative Approaches: What Other Options Exist?
A small but vocal segment of the Windows user base has long relied on unsupported upgrades, third-party patching tools, or open-source operating systems. Projects like 0patch offer paid micro-patches for out-of-support OSes, while Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Mint provide free, modern alternatives for aging hardware. However, these solutions require technical fluency and come with caveats — particularly for users dependent on proprietary Windows software or peripherals.Virtualization and emulation provide interim lifelines for legacy apps but are less viable for mainstream use, especially as AI and security standards outpace the abilities of older machines.
Critical Analysis: Who Benefits Most?
Winners:- Hardware Vendors: Companies like ASUS stand to benefit from a hardware refresh cycle, moving ever-greater volumes of premium laptops and desktops.
- Microsoft: By creating clear hardware and software dividing lines, Microsoft sharpens its ecosystem, reduces legacy support burdens, and cultivates a loyal base of users ready for the next wave of AI features.
- Enterprises Focused on Security: Simplified device fleets with standardized, secure baselines make enterprise IT management easier and more resilient.
- Cost-Conscious Consumers: Older users, students, and small businesses may be caught between the cost of new hardware and the risks of unsupported software.
- Sustainability Advocates: The forced obsolescence narrative flies in the face of efforts to reduce e-waste and promote greener purchasing habits.
- Emerging Markets: Regions where new, AI-centric PCs remain unaffordable risk deepening the digital divide.
What Should Windows Users Do Now?
With just months remaining until Windows 10’s end-of-life, every user should take proactive steps:- Check Device Compatibility: Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool to verify if your current hardware can run Windows 11 and, if so, whether it qualifies for Copilot+ features.
- Weigh Upgrade Costs and Benefits: Consider the value of AI-powered features and improved security, balanced against the price of new hardware or extended support.
- Plan for Data Migration and Backup: Secure your data well ahead of any upgrade or replacement. Cloud sync, external drives, and robust backup solutions are critical precautions.
- Research Alternatives: For those unable or unwilling to upgrade, explore extended security patching or open-source operating systems — but do so with realistic expectations about support and compatibility.
Looking Ahead: The Reinvention of the PC
The ASUS announcement marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Windows ecosystem. This is not simply another OS upgrade cycle, but the dawning of an AI-driven era defined by new hardware standards and a realignment of priorities between Microsoft, its OEM partners, and the broader tech industry.For now, the Copilot+ revolution remains a premium affair. The hope, driven by both consumer demand and market competition, is that economies of scale will eventually drive down costs, making AI-powered PCs and their features accessible to all Windows users — not just those with deep pockets.
In the meantime, ASUS’s message is crystal clear: Don’t just wait for Windows 10 to expire; get ready now, and, if possible, prepare for a smarter, more capable generation of computing. Whether that vision lives up to its promise — or becomes just another page in the ever-turning story of technology’s next big thing — remains to be seen. For the millions still running Windows 10, the choice is closer, and more consequential, than ever.
Source: Windows Report ASUS urges Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 before support ends
