Just About 3 Weeks to Go… Don’t Be Tempted!
Microsoft will officially end its free support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. While your computer will still function after this date, continuing to use it without official support is not recommended due to several significant risks.
Here’s why Windows 10 users should not be tempted to use Windows 10 past its end-of-support date:
1. Security Vulnerabilities – The #1 reason you should not use Windows 10 after October 14, 2024.
This is the most critical reason. After the end-of-life date, Microsoft will no longer release free security updates or patches. This means that any newly discovered vulnerabilities in the Windows 10 code will remain unpatched, leaving your system exposed to potential exploits.
Cybercriminals actively look for and exploit these unpatched flaws, creating a widening security gap over time. This makes your PC a prime target for malware, ransomware, and other cyberattacks.
Zero-Day Exploits: These are attacks that take advantage of a newly discovered vulnerability before a patch can be created and distributed. Without support, your Windows 10 system will be permanently vulnerable to any zero-day exploits discovered after October 14, 2025.
Third-Party Software: While you might use a third-party antivirus, it cannot fix vulnerabilities in the operating system itself. Many software developers will eventually stop supporting Windows 10, further increasing your risk exposure.
2. Lack of Technical Support
After the end-of-life date, Microsoft will no longer provide any technical assistance for Windows 10. If you encounter a bug, a system crash, or any other issue, you’ll be on your own to find a solution.
No Free Support: This includes troubleshooting guides, phone support, and online assistance from Microsoft.
Increased Costs: You may need to pay a third-party IT professional for issues that would have previously been covered by Microsoft support.
3. Software and Hardware Incompatibility
Over time, new software and hardware will be developed to be compatible with newer operating systems like Windows 11. Your Windows 10 PC will likely face increasing compatibility issues.
Application Limitations: New versions of applications may not install or function correctly on an unsupported OS.
Driver Issues: New peripherals and hardware components may not have drivers available for Windows 10, limiting your ability to upgrade your PC’s capabilities.
You Can Use Windows 10 Safely After October 14, 2025, with Microsoft’s ESU or 0patch
If you don’t want or can’t afford a new computer and your current Windows 10 computer does not support Windows 11, you have low-cost options, such as Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (for $30 or less for one year) or 0patch which you can buy for around $27 (USD) per year. While Microsoft’s ESU is only offered for one year, 0patch promised to provide security patches for Windows 10 for at least 5 years.
Don’t be tempted to use your Windows 10 computer past October 14, 2025, without Microsoft’s ESU or 0patch. You’ll be taking risks you don’t want to take.
If you have a Microsoft account you can continue to get FREE windows security updates until October 2026.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/get-free-windows-10-security-updates-through-october-2026-2-ways/
Irene, there’s a lot of ifs in this article. If you’ve earned enough points, if you backup with OneDrive. Microsoft is not very upfront what “free” means. I’d be careful there. The program does not start until October 14, 2025. I’m skeptical of the “free” with a MIcrosoft account No one will know until October 14, 2025. And the first update wont’ be released until November.
Microsoft will begin the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 after the end-of-life date, which is October 14, 2025. While the program itself starts after that date, Microsoft has made the enrollment process available to users ahead of time. The first security update requiring an ESU key will be the November 2025 security update.
For consumers, Microsoft has provided a few options for enrolling in the ESU program, including both paid and free options that require syncing with a Microsoft account. These enrollment options began rolling out in waves to users in the months leading up to the end-of-life date.
What about us elders on fixed income who can’t even afford a tiny yearly fee? What do we do?
Stop using Windows. To carry on using it could end up by costing you a lot more
You can install LInux free. It has many Windows- like features. But taking chances using Windows 10 after October 14, 2025 puts you and your computer at considerable risk. According to many (and I’m not one) ESU is free with a Microsoft account. A Microsoft account is free, You can use any email address for a Microsoft account. Just about everyone using Windows 10 is using a Microsoft account,
Help I never got a notice from Microsoft to go to them to get this upgrade so I can contintue to use my Pc. How di I get it? Thanks