Microsoft’s Windows 10, still the second most widely used operating system on desktop computers and laptops, will reach the end of its official support in October 2025.

The tech giant first launched Windows 10 in July 2015, and now, after a decade, is preparing to discontinue its updates and security support.

🔸 Support Ends on October 14, 2025
After this date, Windows 10 will continue to work on PCs and laptops, but Microsoft will stop releasing software and security updates. Users will also be encouraged to switch to Windows 11 for better security and performance.

Currently, about 43% of computers worldwide still run Windows 10. Many users either prefer it over Windows 11 or own systems that don’t meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements.

Users Now Have Three Main Options:

1. Upgrade to Windows 11 (Free)
   • If your computer supports Windows 11, you can upgrade for free through the Windows Update menu.
2. Buy a New PC
   • Purchase a new computer with Windows 11 pre-installed, or switch to an alternative operating system like macOS or Chrome OS.
3. Stay on Windows 10 with Extended Security Updates (ESU)
   • If you can’t upgrade right away, Microsoft offers a free Extended Security Update (ESU) option for one more year of security updates.

How to Get the Free Extended Security Updates (ESU)

If a PC doesn’t receive updates, it becomes increasingly vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks. The ESU program keeps your Windows 10 secure for another 12 months — and now, it’s free for eligible users.

Step 1: Make Sure Your PC Is Up to Date

Go to Settings → System → About and verify your computer has the latest Windows 10 updates installed.

Step 2: Use an Administrator Account

Ensure you’re logged in with an administrator account, not a guest or limited user profile. You can check this in Settings → Accounts → Your Info.

Step 3: Check Windows 11 Eligibility

If your PC is eligible for Windows 11, the upgrade option will appear automatically. You can choose to upgrade now — it’s still free.

Step 4: Sign Up for ESU

Go to Settings → Update & Security, and look for the “Enroll now” link.
If you don’t see it, make sure your system is fully updated.

Step 5: Choose the Update Method

When you click Enroll now, you’ll see several options. The easiest one is “Back up your PC settings”, which is free but may take time because of the data backup process.

To qualify for the free ESU:

• Your Windows account must be linked to Microsoft’s cloud service.
• You’ll receive 5GB of free OneDrive storage for backup; beyond that, you’ll need to pay for extra space.

You can exclude certain folders (like Documents, Pictures, or Videos) from backup via Settings → OneDrive to save space.

After you’ve signed in, a pop-up will appear saying “Add this device to receive Extended Security Updates.”
Click “Add device to Enroll”, and your computer will continue receiving critical updates for another 12 months — completely free.