Windows 10 has been incredibly popular, running on countless computers for almost ten years, but Microsoft is now retiring it. The company will soon stop supporting Windows 10 and concentrate all its efforts on Windows 11 and newer versions.
If you’re still using Windows 10, you might be wondering what happens next. Will your computer still work as usual? How long will programs like Microsoft 365 and the Edge browser continue to receive updates and support? And will you still be protected from security threats? It’s not always easy to find clear answers, and Microsoft has some policies that might surprise many users.
As a Windows 10 user, I’ve been trying to figure out what’s going on with its end of life, and I found 14 really helpful facts that explain everything – what’s happening right now and what will change once support officially ends. It’s good to be prepared, so I thought I’d share what I learned!
Facts you probably don’t know about the End of Life for Windows 10
These are some of the facts regarding the end of Windows 10.
1. The exact date for Windows 10’s End of life
Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, marking the end of its 10-year lifespan since it first launched in 2015.
This is an obvious fact, but it is worth mentioning nonetheless.
2. PCs won’t stop working after the end of life
Even after October 15, 2025, your Windows 10 computer, apps, and drivers will still work as usual. What’s changing is that Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates, bug fixes, or new features – the operating system itself won’t be turned off.
3. PCs won’t become insecure immediately
Even after the deadline passes, your computer won’t suddenly be vulnerable. Microsoft will release the final security update for Windows 10 on October 14th, but it won’t immediately leave your system unprotected on October 15th.
Initially, using an older operating system might not cause any problems. But over time, security flaws will be discovered, and that’s when it becomes increasingly risky to continue using it.
It’s best to get your device ready now, rather than waiting until support is no longer available.
4. Antivirus isn’t enough to keep using Windows 10
While antivirus software is essential for guarding against viruses and hackers, it’s only one part of keeping your computer safe. Regularly updating your operating system is also crucial for maintaining security.
In other words, an antivirus isn’t enough to keep using an unsupported operating system.
5. The Extended Security Updates free option requires a Microsoft account
Most people know about Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. It offers an extra year of important security updates for those who aren’t quite ready to upgrade to a newer version.
While this service normally requires payment, the company is offering it for free. To use it, you’ll need to sign in with a Microsoft account, no matter where you are in the world, even if you’re in Europe.
6. European users have different ESU requirements
If you’re in the European Economic Area (EEA) and want to continue receiving Extended Security Updates, you’ll need to sign in with your Microsoft account.
The main difference for European users is that they aren’t required to connect their settings or back up files to Microsoft’s cloud storage. However, they still need to sign in with their Microsoft account. If they don’t, their device will become unlinked after 60 days.
After the initial 60 days, users can simply sign in with their Microsoft account again to start receiving updates.
If you’d rather use a local account, you can buy the software for a one-time fee of $30 US dollars (or the equivalent in your currency). This is different from other regions, where a one-time purchase always requires signing in with a Microsoft account.
7. Extended support is only available for the version of Windows 10
Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 are only available for certain versions, specifically Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations.
This program version doesn’t work on computers set up for kiosks, those connected to an Active Directory network, devices using Microsoft Entra, or systems managed with Mobile Device Management (MDM).
8. Windows 10 ESU enrollment doesn’t have a deadline
While it’s best to join the program before support ends, you can still sign up anytime before October 14, 2026. Keep in mind that this program won’t extend support beyond October 13, 2026, no matter when you enroll.
9. You can sign up to 10 PCs with the same Microsoft account
Microsoft keeps track of which devices have the Extended Security Program turned on using your account. With one account, you can enable the program on up to 10 computers.
Choosing the one-time purchase lets you add devices without any extra fees.
10. Microsoft plans to support Defender Antivirus until 2028
Even though Microsoft no longer fully supports Windows 10, its built-in antivirus, Microsoft Defender, will still get important security updates until 2028. This is mainly because businesses paying for the Extended Security Program will continue to receive support for three more years.
11. Microsoft plans to support Edge until 2028
Microsoft Edge will continue to receive updates even after general operating system support ends on October 14, 2025. It’s expected to be maintained on Windows 10 devices for at least another three years – until 2028 – to support business and commercial users.
12. Microsoft 365 apps will continue getting updates
Even after Windows 10 stops receiving support, your Microsoft 365 apps (like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) will still work. Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for these apps until 2028, but you won’t get any new features or improvements beyond that point.
If you want to receive new features and improvements, you’ll have to upgrade to Windows 11.
The company also points out that using older, unsupported operating system versions can lead to performance problems and make applications less reliable over time.
On October 14th, Microsoft will stop providing support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 on all platforms. While Office 2021 and 2024, along with their long-term service release (LTSC) versions, will still work, they won’t receive support on Windows 10 after this date.
13. Windows 10 LTSC is not an official option
Generally, you can’t upgrade from regular Windows 10 to Windows 10 LTSC. It’s not designed for most typical computers.
While it’s possible to upgrade from Windows 10 Home or Pro to IoT Enterprise LTSC or Enterprise LTSC, these versions are only available to businesses with the proper volume licensing agreement or through a computer manufacturer (OEM).
Windows 10 LTSC is a special edition of the operating system built for devices that need long-term stability and fewer updates. It’s designed for situations where consistent performance and minimal changes are important.
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC is designed to work best with devices that are built for specific tasks, like factory computers, robots, checkout systems, and ATMs.
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC is built for everyday use on important devices, specialized computers, and systems that need to stay stable for a long time.
Some users choose these versions because they don’t get updates as often and are supported for a longer time. The Enterprise LTSC version is supported for five years, and the IoT version for ten.
14. Windows 11 installs on unsupported PCs will keep them unsupported
You can still try to install Windows 11 on older devices, but Microsoft doesn’t officially support it. This means your device won’t receive updates or security patches, and may not work reliably.
If your computer is no longer supported, you won’t be able to get official help from the manufacturer. While you might still receive updates, they may not function as expected.
Even though there are some downsides, upgrading older computer parts is still a good idea. It lets you keep using your computer longer, rather than throwing away perfectly good pieces or being stuck with software that’s no longer protected from security threats.
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2025-09-28 01:11