Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10, what will be the impact on users?

 Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10, what will be the impact on users?

Microsoft has announced the date when it will end support for its most popular operating system (OS), Windows 10. Starting October 14, 2025, the company will no longer provide all types of technical support, new features, and the most important security updates for Windows 10.

Even after this date, Windows 10 will still run on your computer, but it will be at a greater risk of viruses, malware, and other cyber attacks. This announcement by the company has raised the question of what to do now for millions of Windows 10 users around the world.

As the end of support for Windows 10 approaches, users need to make the right decision in time according to their needs and budget. Microsoft has suggested that users upgrade to Windows 11 or buy a new computer. However, users also have other options, such as paying an additional fee to get security updates for a while or switching to an alternative operating system like Linux.

What happens after support ends?

Windows 10 users may face various serious problems after Microsoft ends support. The biggest concern is security. After security updates are discontinued, hackers can easily target newly discovered vulnerabilities in the operating system. As cyber attacks continue to evolve, the chances of your data and personal information being stolen on old and insecure systems are very high.

After October 2025, Microsoft will no longer officially support any technical issues that appear in Windows 10. Users will have difficulty resolving bugs, connectivity, or other problems in the software.

Gradually, other companies will also stop making their software and hardware compatible with Windows 10. This may cause new apps and devices such as printers and cameras to not work on your old operating system.

Without regular updates, the speed and reliability of the system may decrease. Problems such as slow computer performance, frequent hangs, and data loss may begin to appear.

What to do now?

Microsoft's first and most recommended solution is to upgrade to Windows 11. If your computer is eligible, the upgrade is completely free. However, your device must meet certain hardware requirements for Windows 11. These include TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and certain modern processors.

This is why very old computers, and in some cases computers purchased a few years ago, may be ineligible for Windows 11. According to one estimate, this will result in about 400 million PCs being thrown away worldwide, even though they are in working condition, creating a huge e-waste problem.

You can use Microsoft's PC Health Check app to check if your PC is eligible for Windows 11.

If your computer is not eligible for Windows 11 or you do not want to upgrade immediately, Microsoft has also introduced a temporary solution. The company has launched the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for this. Under this, ordinary users will be able to receive security updates for an additional year, i.e. until October 13, 2026. There are three options to get this feature.

One of which is to pay a direct fee of $30 for one year of security updates. Another is to use Windows Backup to sync your data via OneDrive for free. However, if you have more than 5 GB of data, you may have to buy additional OneDrive storage, which is indirectly equivalent to paying a fee.

The third option is to redeem 1,000 Rewards points earned by using Microsoft services (such as Bing Search, Edge browser). However, this is only a temporary solution for one year, not a long-term one.

Should you switch to the Linux operating system?

Linux is a great option for those who want to give their old but working computers a new lease of life instead of throwing them away. A global campaign called ‘End of 10’ is encouraging Windows 10 users to switch to Linux.

Linux operating systems are often free and do not require new hardware or licensing fees. Linux has fewer ads and spyware than Windows, which helps protect your privacy.

Since old hardware can be reused, it also helps reduce e-waste and protect the environment. Modern Linux distributions like Linux Mint and Zorin OS are not as complicated as they used to be, and come with a very simple and Windows-like interface.

The last option is to buy a new computer

If your current computer is not compatible with Windows 11 and you don't want to go through other options, the last option is to buy a new computer with Windows 11 installed. New devices offer better performance, stronger security, and all the latest features.