Microsoft will officially end security updates and technical support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. This decision means that the approximately 400 million devices still using the system worldwide will face increased cybersecurity threats. While Microsoft claims these devices will continue to function, experts warn that systems without security updates will become prime targets for hackers.
Data shows that as of October 2025, Windows 10 will still have approximately 400 million active users worldwide, accounting for 32.18% of Windows users on the Steam platform. Microsoft strongly recommends users upgrade to Windows 11, but many older devices are unable to meet the new system's requirements due to hardware limitations. Windows 11 requires a 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage, and support for the TPM 2.0 security module, which excludes many older devices.
To alleviate this issue, Microsoft has launched the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. For a fee of $30 or 1,000 Microsoft Points, users receive an additional year of critical security updates, extending support to October 13, 2026. However, this program only provides basic security patches, without feature improvements or technical support, and requires devices to be running Windows 10 version 22H2.
Cybersecurity experts criticized Microsoft for using device security as a commercial bargaining chip, forcing users to continue paying without upgrading their hardware. Some users expressed understanding of Microsoft's need to push for technological updates, but the forced retirement of still-functional devices could be a waste of resources.
