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    Windows 10 End of Support: What Happens in October 2025 and Your Options

    Windows 10 support ends October 14, 2025. Learn what that means for your PC and what steps you can take to stay safe and up to date.

    4 min read 5 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026
    1

    Check your current Windows version

    ~20s
    Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type "winver" (without quotes), and press Enter. A small window will appear showing your Windows version number. If it says "Windows 10," this guide applies to you.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: If you see "Windows 11," your computer is already on the newer version and you do not need to worry about this deadline.

    2

    Run the PC Health Check tool

    ~21s
    Go to microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11 on your browser and look for the "Check compatibility" section. Download the PC Health Check app and run it. It will tell you in plain language whether your PC can upgrade to Windows 11 or not.

    Warning

    Only download this tool from the official Microsoft website. Do not trust pop-up ads claiming your PC needs an upgrade — those are often scams.

    3

    Upgrade to Windows 11 if your PC qualifies

    ~27s
    If the PC Health Check tool says your computer is compatible, go to Settings > Windows Update and look for the option to upgrade to Windows 11. The download is free and will keep all your files and apps in place. The process takes 30–60 minutes, so plug in your laptop and keep your PC on.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Back up important files to an external drive or a cloud service like OneDrive before upgrading, even though upgrades rarely delete files.

    4

    Consider a new PC if your computer is not compatible

    ~20s
    If the Health Check tool says your PC cannot run Windows 11, think about whether the computer is more than 5–6 years old. Older PCs may struggle with modern software anyway. Buying a new PC — even a budget model — will give you faster performance, longer security support, and peace of mind.
    5

    If you keep Windows 10, take extra precautions

    ~24s
    If upgrading is not possible right now, make sure Windows Defender (the built-in security tool) is turned on. Avoid clicking unfamiliar links or email attachments. Back up your files regularly. Check the FTC website (consumer.ftc.gov) for guidance on staying safe online with older software.

    Warning

    Running an unsupported version of Windows for a long time is a real security risk. Plan to upgrade or replace your PC within the next year.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: Windows 10 End of Support: What Happens in October 2025 and Your Options

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    On October 14, 2025, Microsoft stopped releasing security updates for Windows 10. This is called the "end of support" date, and it is an important milestone for anyone still running Windows 10 on their computer.

    What does "end of support" actually mean? It means Microsoft no longer releases patches — small software fixes that close security holes — for Windows 10. Before this date, hackers who discovered a weakness in Windows 10 would be stopped by an update Microsoft pushed out. After this date, those weaknesses may stay open permanently. Your computer will keep working, but it becomes more vulnerable to viruses, scams, and attackers over time.

    Your main options are: upgrade to Windows 11 for free (if your PC qualifies), buy a new PC that already runs Windows 11, pay for Microsoft's Extended Security Updates program (available for businesses and some consumers at extra cost), or switch to a different operating system such as ChromeOS Flex or a Linux distribution designed for everyday users.

    The upgrade to Windows 11 is free for eligible computers. To check whether your PC qualifies, Microsoft released a tool called PC Health Check, available on Microsoft's website. The main requirement is a processor (the "brain" of the computer) made after around 2018, plus a security chip called TPM 2.0 that most newer computers already have.

    If your computer cannot run Windows 11 and you choose to keep using Windows 10 after the deadline, make sure you have a good antivirus program running, avoid clicking unknown links or attachments, and back up your important files regularly. However, a new PC is the safest long-term solution.

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    Official Resources

    Microsoft SupportHow-To Geek — WindowsGCFGlobal — Windows Basics

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    Windows 10 End of Support: What Happens in October 2025 and Your Options — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure