Microsoft plans to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. This means that the company won’t release security updates anymore for the operating system for free.
Media outlets will pick this up and some will create sensationalist headlines, for the clicks.
If you run Windows 10 systems, should you be worried about the end of support? The short answer: no you should not.
Here is why: as long as you have a contingency plan, you are good. Any of the following means that you do not really have to worry about end of support:
- You plan to upgrade to Windows 11 before support ends.
- You plan to stay on Windows 10 and pay Microsoft for one/three years of extended security updates.
- You plan to stay on Windows 10 and plan to pay 0Patch for security updates until at least 2030.
- You plan to make the switch to Linux.
- You plan to install ESU security updates without paying Microsoft.
- Your Windows 10 PC has no Internet connection and there is no local danger either.
What may not be such a good idea is to keep on running Windows 10 in an unsupported state.
Yes, there are plenty of good practices to keep a system malware-free, but even if you follow all of them, you risk infections.
In case you wonder, here is a list of these practices:
- Run a good content blocker.
- Keep essential programs such as web browsers up to date.
- Run a good security software.
- Avoid untrustworthy links and file downloads / attachments.
All of these reduce the chance of successful attacks against the system. Still, even with all of that in place, there is a chance that attacks may succeed. Rogue software or browser extension updates are one possibility, but there ise more.
Closing Words
Here is my suggestion: if you need more time, you could subscribe to Microsoft or 0Patch for a year to buy twelve months of extra security updates. You could extend that until at least 2030, as 0Patch promised to support Windows 10 until then at the very least.
The best option for a PC is either Windows 11, if you need Windows, or Linux. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
Windows 11:
- + Supports all apps and games that Windows 10 supports.
- + Easy upgrade, if the PC meets the minimum system requirements.
- + No extra costs for most users.
- – Problematic, if the Windows 10 PC does not meet the system requirements.
- – May not like the direction Windows is heading (regarding ads, AI, and functionality).
Linux:
- + Free and continued support is ensured.
- + Support for apps, games, and hardware is much better than it was five or ten years ago.
- + Privacy and security is much improved.
- – Migration is tricky.
- – It takes time to get used to Linux, even though that is much better than a decade ago.
- – Some apps or games do not work under Linux.
Have anything to add to the list? Feel free to do so in the comments below.
“The best option for a PC is either Windows 11, if you need Windows, or Linux”
Correct on Windows, 11 isn’t bad and has gotten better over time, Unfortunately MS has become such a crap corporation more tweaking is needed to screen out the annoyances but plenty of online assist (shutup 10/11, gpedit etc) and tutorials out there.
Don’t use Linux it’s for hobbyist and geeky loner types. Unstable for the most part and just awful desktop layouts. Lots of shilling in that community and hardcore types which dominate forums usually frown upon GUI development, they want everyone to type cryptic commands in a black box. Point and click innovations are almost non existent in Linux and are way behind the other major OS’es .
It’s best to focus on getting real work done on your operating system rather than spend countless hours fixing the OS itself which is way too common with Linux.
What’s wrong with Apple MACOS, that’s a viable and surprisingly stable system but hardly mentioned as an alternative? Very similar to Linux; it being a Unix based OS but much “prettier” design. Mac Minis are selling well so it’s definitely becoming a serious competitor to MS/Linux.
First point. Windows 11 was good almost from the start, but MS is gradually filling it up with bloat, ads and telemetry. So it is better option if you learn to remove them. In complete agreement.
Second point. You are stereotyping Linux users. They are tech-savvy, and they had to be, because up until pretty recently Linux used to be quite user unfriendly. However, in the last few years, few Linux distros became much more reliable for basic and high-tech stuff (not gaming). And just like with everything else, there is a learning curve. So if you’re not into tech at all or do not have time to mess around, it’s probably not for you. I consider myself mid-level tech-savvy, but I got so used to Windows, I am not in a rush to switch to Linux. But for next computer I will consider Linux preinstalled PC if it beats Windows PCs considerably on price.
Third point. Mac Minis are game changers. They are almost on the same level with Windows PCs at similar price points and probably more reliable. Still there is a learning curve, but not steep as with Linux.
“Some games” is incorrect. Many many games is more like it.
Even then, the games you can run on linux do not perform as well as they do on windows.
If I could run all my games on Linux, with all the current high end graphics technologies functioning, I would not be running windows.
“Rogue software or browser extension updates are one possibility, but there ise more.”
I am not worried about rogue software. I have allowed access to internet only to essential programs, and now I almost never download brand-new software without recommendations from sources I trust. However, extension updates are a real wildcard because unlike programs, they do change ownerships way more often. And by the time you here about that in the news, it could be too late. I am mostly worried about password and userscript managers.
A dilemma–one can upgrade to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware; there are several options. The processor may be an issue for a minority. Is there really that much risk in keeping Windows 10 as and relying on some decent security software?
Still not sure which route to take. LTSC is an option I prefer to avoid; I am thinking moving to Windows 11 is the most viable option that won’t disturb, hopefully not, the setup I already have. Install, keep files/programs and expect everything to work as if all the hardware and MS restrictions are fulfilled.
I’d add “You plan to make the switch to Mac” as an option, assuming you’re changing hardware anyway.
I agree with the above posters re Linux’s limitations. It’s (very good) geekware, but not a consumer product.
Even if you’re getting Win10 updates via LTSC or whatever, that doesn’t mean your apps will continue to support it forever. An OS that won’t run current (safest) versions of the apps I want is of no use. We’ve seen this happen to the Win7 die-hards, with even Firefox on its last Win7-compatible release.
Ultimately what will make me ditch Win10 is not MS, it’s Mozilla, Signal, Mullvad etc.