Microsoft sends another warning to Windows 10 users amid 'end of life' announcement
Microsoft has stopped supporting Windows 10, and the tech giant is continuing to warn customers who are still using the PC operating system that they should be upgrading to Windows 11 to stay safe online.
Microsoft has officially pulled the plug on Windows 10 support, urging users to upgrade to Windows 11 for a safer online experience. As of October 14, 2025, free monthly software updates for Windows 10, a practice since its 2015 launch, have ceased.
The operating system is now considered 'end of life', meaning it will still operate but won't receive crucial security fix patches.
This leaves Windows 10 users vulnerable to new bugs that could be exploited by hackers, according to Microsoft. "Modern cyberattacks rarely go straight for the crown jewels," Microsoft warned in a blog post.
"Instead, they probe for weak points in the systems that hold the keys: outdated operating systems, legacy infrastructure, and unsupported endpoints."
While this warning was primarily aimed at businesses using Windows 10, it also applies to individual consumers. Using the unsupported software doesn't guarantee problems, but the message is clear - action is needed, reports the Express.
In its recent Digital Defense Report, Microsoft disclosed that over 90 percent of ransomware attacks target "unmanaged devices lacking proper security controls".
Currently, the only way to secure Windows 10 is through Microsoft's Extended Security Update (ESU) program, accessible via your PC's Settings menu.
The ESU program comes at no cost if you're logged into a Microsoft account and agree to sync your PC's settings to OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage service.
After doing this, the company will continue delivering monthly security updates to protect you, but only for one additional year.
This means you're protected until October 2026, at which point you'll need to reassess your options.
Microsoft is still providing all Windows 10 users with a complimentary upgrade to the latest Windows 11 operating system, which you can also download through the Settings menu on your device.
Navigate to the Windows Update area to check if the download is ready.
However, keep in mind that Microsoft has established minimum system requirements for Windows 11, meaning there's a foundation of suggested hardware specs needed to run the updated software effectively.
If your computer doesn't satisfy these requirements, it's not recommended to download Windows 11, as your device may have difficulty functioning correctly.
After you've ruled out the ESU program or the complimentary Windows 11 installation, the only remaining choice for staying technically secure by Microsoft's standards is to purchase a new computer that operates Windows 11.
"Hackers don't need to break your strongest lock," Microsoft said. "They just need to wait until you leave a window open."
While you might be fine running Windows 10 without software updates, particularly if your PC isn't frequently online or is used for offline activities like playing local media files, using a word processor, or gaming, Microsoft's stance is clear.
If you're connected to the internet and are running Windows 10, it's time to think about upgrading to Windows 11.
This may be frustrating if your Windows 10 computer is working just fine, but it's worth noting that Microsoft has provided free support for Windows 10 for a decade.
That's significantly longer than most other free commercial software. For comparison, Samsung and Google only promise seven years of software support for many of their new Android smartphones.