Windows 10 Support Ends October 2025: What You Need to Know About Upgrading to Windows 11

As the clock ticks down toward October 2025, millions of Windows 10 users find themselves at a crucial crossroads, facing a blunt message from Microsoft: upgrade to Windows 11 or accept greater security risks. The end of support for an operating system that powered the world for nearly a decade arrives with sobering implications. While your existing PC may still function, the shield of critical security updates, new features, and technical support will vanish. This arranged sunset is not just a matter of product lifecycle—it's a calculated decision that lays bare both technological progression and corporate strategy.

What the End of Windows 10 Support Actually Means​

Once Microsoft pulls the plug on Windows 10 support in October 2025, users will lose access to free security updates and patches. This exposes systems to newly discovered vulnerabilities, with cybercriminals quick to target unpatched computers and networks. History provides ample evidence of the dangers. In 2017, when support ended for earlier Microsoft systems, attacks like WannaCry exploited out-of-date machines, crippling organizations worldwide. With no further security fixes, Windows 10 devices will become increasingly attractive targets. Technical glitches and bugs will also remain unresolved, and users will lose easy access to Microsoft’s support channels.

Microsoft’s Messaging: Security as the Cornerstone​

Microsoft has been emphatic in their messaging: upgrading to Windows 11 ensures "security and peace of mind." A recent high-profile ad campaign directly urges users to join the “right side of risk” by upgrading their systems. This framing is deliberate. As security threats proliferate, Microsoft wants users to associate staying on Windows 10 with neglect and danger—while positioning Windows 11 as a proactive, safe choice.
However, this approach has not gone unchallenged. Many see it as a hard sell, leveraging fear and uncertainty to drive sales of its latest operating system. It’s a strategy that’s generating conversation well beyond the usual Windows communities.

Why Microsoft Wants Users to Move to Windows 11​

The push is not simply about security or user benefit—it’s also a strategic imperative for Microsoft. Windows 10 is now nearly a decade old, launched back in July 2015. In contrast, Windows 11, introduced in late 2021, will nearly reach its fifth anniversary by the time Windows 10 sunsets. As Windows evolves, Microsoft increases its ability to deliver more secure, consistent, and modern experiences, but also positions itself to maintain its relevance and revenue in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Updating the user base to Windows 11 enables the company to reduce fragmentation in its support and development, streamline the deployment of new security technologies, and cements customers within its modern ecosystem—tailored for the cloud era and integrated Microsoft services.

The Controversy of Hardware Requirements​

Central to the migration debate is not excitement over improved features or a fresh interface, but frustration with new hardware requirements—most notably, Microsoft’s insistence on Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0.

What is TPM 2.0 and Why Does It Matter?​

A Trusted Platform Module is a dedicated chip on a computer’s motherboard responsible for cryptographic operations and storing sensitive information—such as encryption keys and authentication credentials. Its function is straightforward: deliver hardware-level security, ensuring that critical data cannot be accessed or altered by attackers, even if they compromise the operating system.
Microsoft has declared TPM 2.0 "non-negotiable" for Windows 11. This insistence is justified by the company’s argument that modern security threats need hardware-based protection to defeat increasingly sophisticated attack methods, including those targeting firmware and the supply chain. Windows 11 leans heavily on these capabilities, not just for traditional security, but also to enable modern authentication methods (like Windows Hello) and advanced enterprise protections.

The Backlash: Locked Out by Hardware​

However, the mandatory nature of TPM 2.0 poses a very real dilemma. Many perfectly functional PCs, including numerous pre-2017 models, lack TPM 2.0 or have it disabled by default, with little guidance for ordinary users. As a result, these machines cannot officially upgrade to Windows 11—even if their performance is otherwise more than adequate for everyday tasks. According to StatCounter and other market analytics, over half of Windows PCs in active use may still be running Windows 10 as the 2025 deadline nears.
This hardware cutoff has incited frustration from users and IT professionals alike, who see valuable hardware rendered prematurely obsolete, and organizations faced with the daunting prospect of mass hardware upgrades or costly workarounds. Critics point to environmental and financial costs, as otherwise-usable devices are forced out of service.

The Extended Security Updates: A Pricey Lifeline​

Recognizing the pain these requirements might cause, Microsoft has announced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10—similar to measures taken during previous support sunsets, like Windows 7. However, this time the cost is steep: US$61 per device for the first year, doubling each subsequent year ($122 for year two, $244 for year three).
This is not a customer-friendly concession—at least on paper. For small businesses, schools, non-profits, and home users running multiple PCs, the math quickly becomes punitive. The ESU program, it seems, is a stopgap for enterprises unable to upgrade in time—not a long-term solution for everyday consumers. Microsoft’s underlying message remains unambiguous: the only sustainable path forward is a move to Windows 11 on supported hardware.

Can You Keep Running Windows 10?​

Technically, yes. Your device will continue to function post-October 2025. Essential apps and most features will work as usual, and there’s no forced shutdown or block. However, the risks will mount rapidly. AV-Test and other security organizations routinely report a spike in malware campaigns targeting unsupported operating systems. With security holes left unpatched, exploits popularized in the weeks and months after end-of-life can spread rapidly, especially through phishing, drive-by downloads, and malicious websites.
Some users may seek mitigations through third-party antivirus tools or cautious online behavior. While this can reduce exposure, it’s no substitute for comprehensive system patches. Security experts universally advise against relying on outdated operating systems for any sensitive activity—especially online banking, business operations, or access to confidential data.

Industry Perspective: Is the Upgrade Mandate Justified?​

The debate over Microsoft’s strategy is both technical and philosophical. Proponents argue that a hard line is necessary to spur widespread adoption of modern security standards. As threat actors become more sophisticated, hardware-backed security is increasingly not just a luxury, but a requirement. Features such as Secure Boot, Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), and Driver Enforcement—core to Windows 11—rely on hardware capabilities like TPM 2.0, enabling protection mechanisms impossible on legacy systems.
Yet, critics point out consequences beyond the technical:

• Device Waste and Sustainability: The forced upgrade path risks accelerating e-waste, as computers otherwise fit-for-purpose are rendered obsolete ahead of schedule. Environmental groups have previously criticized similar moves.
• Financial Pressure on Individuals and Small Businesses: Not all users or organizations can absorb the cost of replacing multiple systems or recurring ESU fees—particularly in lower-income regions, or education sectors reliant on older hardware.
• Perceptions of Planned Obsolescence: Accusations abound that Microsoft’s requirements are less about security than steady hardware sales—bolstering PC manufacturers at the expense of customers who feel forced into buying new products.

Comparative Look: How Other Platforms Handle Legacy Support​

To place Microsoft’s strategy in context, consider how competitors address legacy hardware and support lifecycles.

• Apple: macOS offers support for older hardware, but typically supports machines for 7-8 years before dropping them from OS updates. Afterward, the company provides security patching for at least two years, though eventually, these too stop. Apple does not charge for continued security updates after support ends.
• Linux Distributions: Many Linux distros grant long-term support (LTS), ranging from 5-10 years. Users can often continue to receive updates or switch to lightweight, community-supported variants. Hardware requirements are generally less stringent, with wide compatibility on older machines.

Microsoft’s move aligns with industry norms in terms of timeframes, but it is unusually aggressive in enforcing hardware standards and charging for ESU at the consumer level.

Upgrading to Windows 11: The Practical Challenges​

For users able and willing to upgrade, the process is straightforward—if your system meets the requirements. Microsoft provides a PC Health Check tool to determine eligibility. Devices with appropriate CPUs (8th-generation Intel or AMD Ryzen 2000 series and newer), Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 pass with ease. For everyone else, there are often insurmountable barriers.
Attempts to bypass these requirements, via unofficial workarounds or scripts, are not recommended by Microsoft. While technically possible in some circumstances, they leave users unsupported and may impact system stability or eligibility for future updates.
Those choosing to buy new hardware will find a modernized Windows environment, with design and workflow changes aimed at productivity. Windows 11 introduces a centered Start menu, Snap Layouts, improved virtual desktops, Copilot AI integration, and deeper ties to cloud-based services like Microsoft 365 and OneDrive.

Windows 11: Key Security and Productivity Benefits​

For all the controversy, Windows 11 does bring tangible advances. Security benefits include:

• Isolation Technologies: VBS and Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity safeguard against common exploit vectors.
• Credential Guard: Stores and processes credentials in isolated environments.
• Secure Boot and TPM: Thwart rootkits and firmware attacks.
• Faster Patching: Efficient delivery of updates with smaller package sizes.
• Improved Default Privacy Controls: More granular data protection for consumers and enterprises.
• AI-Integrated Features: Copilot in Windows and other AI-driven productivity enhancements, elevating the daily workflow.

These are underpinned by a development lifecycle more agile than any previous Windows version, reflecting Microsoft’s new “Windows as a Service” philosophy.

What If You Can’t Upgrade?​

For those unable to move to Windows 11, there are few viable, long-term alternatives within Microsoft’s ecosystem. Extended Security Updates may keep systems safe for a few more years, but at considerable cost and complexity. Third-party security software, alternative operating systems like Linux, or complete device replacement are the only other paths.
Some users may turn to lightweight Linux distributions—such as Ubuntu LTS, Linux Mint, or Zorin OS—for legacy hardware. This transition is not without its own challenges: compatibility with specific workflows, peripherals, or enterprise tools may be limited. Nevertheless, Linux remains a viable, cost-effective way to rejuvenate devices rendered obsolete by Windows 11’s requirements, and its market share has seen marginal gains after previous Microsoft transitions.

The Broader Impact: An Industry on the Move​

Microsoft’s bold stance pushes the entire tech ecosystem forward, for better or worse. The transition to Windows 11 is about far more than new UI elements or marginal performance boosts; it’s a strategic reset on what baseline security and performance means in an age of relentless cyber threats.
This shift, though disruptive, places pressure on OEMs, application developers, and IT professionals to adopt modern standards. As attacks grow in sophistication, the bar for “good enough” security rises, demanding a balance between inclusivity for older hardware and realistic defense against emerging dangers.

Conclusion: Security, Strategy, and the End of an Era​

The end of Windows 10 support encapsulates the eternal push-pull between innovation and accessibility, customer security and corporate goals. For millions, the next seventeen months will mean difficult decisions: invest in new hardware, pay for security extensions, or take on new platforms.
From a security perspective, Microsoft’s warnings are well-founded: running outdated operating systems has always been a risk, and the stakes only increase as attackers target the slowest to upgrade. Yet, the company’s inflexible hardware requirements and paid ESU program have left many users feeling coerced, not supported.
For those with compatible devices, the move to Windows 11 offers clear—if sometimes incremental—benefits in security, reliability, and functionality. For everyone else, it marks the end of an era, and a timely reminder that in technology as in life, standing still is rarely a safe option.
Savvy users are advised to plan ahead, weigh their options, and remember: when support ends, the best security is always vigilance and timely action. The writing is on the wall—Windows 10’s days are numbered, and the shape of personal computing is about to be redrawn once again.

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Source: Hindustan Times https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/microsoft-tells-windows-10-users-upgrade-to-windows-11-or-risk-your-security-101749199810134.html