What “end of support” actually means

First, the good news: your computer still works. Windows 10 won’t crash, your programs will keep running and your files are right where you left them. Microsoft ended support – it didn’t activate a self-destruct sequence.

But here’s the thing: since October 14, 2025, Microsoft no longer patches security vulnerabilities in Windows 10. And new ones are discovered regularly – not every few years, but every month. That means every newly found weakness stays wide open. Permanently.

Should you panic? No. But you should be honest with yourself: with every month that passes without updates, the attack surface grows. That’s not a theoretical risk – it’s the entire reason Microsoft (and every other software vendor) releases security updates in the first place.

It gets especially dicey where money and personal data are involved: online banking, email and online shopping. Not because an attack is guaranteed tomorrow – but because if one happens, you probably won’t notice until it’s too late.

Option 1: Windows 11

The most obvious step – and the one Microsoft is pushing hardest. But there’s a catch that Microsoft doesn’t talk about nearly as much.

The hardware hurdle: Windows 11 requires something called a TPM 2.0 chip and Secure Boot. In plain English: computers built before roughly 2018 often don’t meet these requirements. Your PC can be in perfect shape, fast enough for everything you do – and Windows 11 still won’t install.

You can check whether your machine qualifies using Microsoft’s free PC Health Check tool. It takes seconds.

You’ll find guides online on how to bypass the TPM check. That’s not recommended: Microsoft has made it clear that such installations aren’t guaranteed to receive updates. You’d be swapping one problem (no support for Windows 10) for another (potentially no support for your unofficial Windows 11 installation either).

What changes day to day: If you’re coming from Windows 10, there’s an adjustment period. The Start menu is centered (you can move it back to the left), the taskbar has fewer customization options and the Settings app has been reorganized. Most programs run without issues, but the new interface feels unfamiliar at first. Give it a week or two and you’ll generally settle in.

Watch out for OneDrive: If you do a clean install of Windows 11 or set up a new PC, be aware that Microsoft now turns on OneDrive by default and automatically syncs your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Music and Videos folders to the cloud – without explicitly asking. It sounds convenient, but in practice it regularly causes confusion: files suddenly appear in different locations, the free 5 GB of cloud storage fills up fast and if you accidentally delete something in the cloud, you might lose it locally too. You can turn the sync off after the fact, but you have to know it’s there in the first place.

If the PC Health Check gives you the green light, Windows 11 is the easiest path for most people. The upgrade is currently still free and can be launched through Windows Update.

Option 2: Linux

If your older computer doesn’t support Windows 11, you’ll sooner or later stumble across Linux as an alternative. The question is: does it actually work for regular people?

The honest answer: it depends on what you use your computer for.

For the things most people do every day – browsing the web, writing emails, editing documents and managing photos – Linux works beautifully. The browser is the same (Firefox or Chrome), email clients like Thunderbird look identical and for Office work there’s SoftMaker Office, which runs on Linux and reliably opens and saves Microsoft Office files.

The gentlest on-ramp is Linux Mint. Its interface is deliberately modeled after Windows: Start menu in the bottom left, taskbar at the bottom and file manager just like you’re used to. If you can navigate Windows 10, you’ll find your way around Linux Mint within minutes.

Where it gets tricky: Specialized software can be a problem. Certain tax applications like TurboTax or H&R Block’s desktop software don’t run on Linux. Some printers don’t have Linux drivers. And if your employer requires a specific VPN client, it may not be available for Linux.

Before you switch, it’s worth taking an honest inventory: which programs do you actually use on a regular basis? Are there Linux versions or workable alternatives? If you’re unsure, you can boot Linux Mint from a USB stick and try it out without changing anything on your existing system.

If you can’t give up certain Windows programs but want to use Linux for everyday tasks, you can also install both systems side by side – a so-called dual-boot setup. When you turn on your computer, you simply choose which operating system to start.

Option 3: buy a new PC

This sounds like the most expensive option at first. But if your computer is already eight years old or more, it’s sometimes the most practical one.

A new PC comes with Windows 11 preinstalled, meets all hardware requirements and runs noticeably smoother than Windows 11 squeezed onto older hardware that barely scrapes past the minimum specs. You also get faster SSDs, more RAM and better power efficiency – things you’ll notice immediately in daily use.

Important to know: You can take your data with you – documents, photos, music and bookmarks. What you can’t take are your installed programs. Those will need to be reinstalled on the new machine. Before you make the switch, back up everything that matters to an external drive or USB stick.

Solid new PCs start at around $400 to $500. For everyday tasks – web browsing, email, Office and photos – that’s more than enough.

Option 4: macOS

Switching to Apple is another possibility worth at least mentioning – even if it’s not for everyone.

What’s in its favor: macOS is a solid, well-maintained operating system. Apple delivers regular security updates, the hardware is high-quality and long-lasting and the integration between hardware and software is generally seamless.

What’s against it: Apple machines are more expensive than comparable Windows PCs. A MacBook Air starts at around $1,100, an iMac at roughly $1,300. Then there’s the ecosystem effect: once you’re in the Apple universe, you tend to stay there – and you pay Apple prices for accessories, adapters and services.

Not every Windows program runs on Mac, either. For most everyday tasks there are alternatives – including SoftMaker Office for macOS – but when it comes to specialized software, particularly for work, you should check carefully whether everything you need is available.

For people who already use an iPhone or iPad and don’t mind the price difference, a Mac can be a great choice. As a blanket recommendation for everyone, it doesn’t quite fit.

Option 5: Microsoft’s ESU program

What a lot of people don’t realize: for the first time, Microsoft is offering an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for individual consumers – not just businesses.

In the European Economic Area (which includes the EU): the program is free through a Microsoft account. Users there receive the extended security updates at no cost through October 12, 2027 – and, unlike in other regions, without needing a OneDrive cloud backup or Microsoft Rewards points.

Outside the European Economic Area: there are three ways to enroll, all covering you through October 12, 2027. You can get ESU free by enabling Windows Backup, which syncs your settings to OneDrive, or by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or by paying a one-time $30.

The requirement in both cases: you need a Microsoft account linked to your Windows 10 PC and you must sign in with it at least once every 60 days. If you switch to a local account after activating ESU and don’t log in regularly, you risk having the extended updates suspended.

Let’s be clear about what’s going on here: Microsoft isn’t being generous. The Microsoft account requirement is a calculated move. Anyone who’s been getting by without a Microsoft account – and there are plenty of those people – now has to create one and use it regularly. Microsoft gains millions of users who are more tightly bound to its ecosystem. The “free” options are free for the user, but they’re not free for Microsoft – that’s the point.

Microsoft has since extended the program’s window. It still isn’t meant as a permanent solution, but as a bridge to buy time while you figure out your next move, it makes sense.

Option 6: just keep going

And then there’s the option that most people will probably choose: do nothing at all.

That’s your right. Nobody is going to force you to switch your computer or reconfigure anything. Windows 10 keeps working, your programs keep running and in everyday use you won’t notice a difference at first.

But let’s not kid ourselves: the risk grows over time. Security vulnerabilities become public knowledge, attack tools get built around them and Windows 10 no longer gets patches.

If you choose this route, you should at least take a few precautions:

• Keep your browser, your antivirus software and all your other programs up to date – even though Windows itself no longer gets updates.
• Be extra careful with email attachments and links.
• Consider moving sensitive activities like online banking to a different device – a phone or tablet with an up-to-date operating system is enough for that.
• Make regular backups of your important data.

It’s not a catastrophe to keep using Windows 10 for a while. But it is a risk you’re choosing to accept – and you should be honest with yourself about that.

Which option fits you?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Your PC passes the PC Health Check: Upgrade to Windows 11 – the easiest path.
• Your PC is too old for Windows 11, but you mostly use a browser, email and Office: Linux Mint is worth a serious look.
• Your computer is eight years old or more: A new PC is probably the smartest investment.
• You want to buy some time: Microsoft’s ESU program extends security updates through October 12, 2027. In the European Economic Area, it’s free through a Microsoft account without backup or Rewards points. Elsewhere, you can get it by enabling Windows Backup, redeeming 1,000 Rewards points or paying a one-time $30.
• You already use Apple devices and don’t mind the cost: A Mac is a solid option.
• You don’t want to change anything right now: Then at least keep the precautions above in mind.

Microsoft has every right to end support for an operating system – no software company can maintain products forever. But you have every right to take your time and figure out the best next step for your situation. Don’t let anyone rush you – not Microsoft and not the doomsday headlines.

What’s your plan?

Have you already made the switch? Tried Linux? Or are you sticking with Windows 10 on purpose? Let us know in the comments – we’d love to hear about your experience.