It’s official, Windows 10 is dead – What now?
Microsoft has pulled Windows 10’s life support – Here’s what you can do now
Today is October 14th, the day that Microsoft pulled the plug on Windows 10. The OS’ life support has ended, and users can no longer expect free security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for the OS. Windows 10 is dead. Microsoft wants you to move on.
Millions of people around the world still use Windows 10, and the good news is that your devices won’t suddenly stop working. Even so, Microsoft ending its OS support is a big deal, and it’s only a matter of time before this becomes a problem for users. It’s only a matter of time before a vulnerability or bug is uncovered that will make Windows 10 unsafe. When this happens, Microsoft has no plans to update Windows 10 and address the issue, at least for regular users.
Windows 10 is dead. What can I do now?
Windows 10 users now have five options: upgrade to Windows 11, buy a new PC, move to Linux, get extended security coverage, or do nothing. Doing nothing isn’t a good option. It’s only a matter of time before Windows 10 becomes vulnerable to attack. If you want a secure PC, you will need to do something.
The first, and easiest option, is to upgrade to Windows 11. That said, not all Windows 10 PCs are Windows 11 compatible. Microsoft’s new OS supports new hardware security features, which are a mandatory part of the OS. If your device doesn’t support Windows 11, you will likely need a new PC to maintain a secure computing experience.
The next easiest option is to opt for Extended Security Updates. This will give your Windows 10 PC security updates until October 13th 2026. For Windows 10 users who can’t upgrade to Windows 11, this option allows you to keep Windows 10 secure for a little while longer. However, this is merely a stay of execution.
For most Windows 10 users, Extended Security Updates will come at a cost. Details for these options are available here.
Windows 10 users in the EEA get free extended security coverage
For Windows 10 users in the EEA, Extended Security Updates are available for free to all who are signed into a Microsoft account. This applies to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and all 27 member states of the European Union.
Microsoft was forced to give EEA users easier access to extended Windows 10 updates following pushback. Microsoft did not give the same privileges to users in other regions. Simply put, it is in Microsoft’s best interest to force Windows 10 users to upgrade, so they are pushing them to.
Not all Windows 10 PCs can upgrade to Windows 11
If you don’t want to upgrade to newer hardware and don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11, installing Linux may be an option worth considering. Yes, you will need to learn how Linux works, but many modern Linux distributions are very user-friendly. Ubuntu Mint and Elementary OS are good options for Windows users who want a familiar user interface.
Windows 10 is dead, and if you are still using the OS, you need a plan. You need to upgrade to a new OS to ensure security moving forward. Hopefully, this article has helped you plan for the post-Windows 10 world.
You can join the discussion on the death of Windows 10 on the OC3D Forums.
