Once thought of as 'the last version of Windows', worringly, it's now approaching the end of its support lifetime.
"In 2015 Microsoft released Windows 10 saying that it should be the last Windows release, i tought it wolud turn into something like a service, recieving constant upgrades, but looks like Microsoft just lied to all of us, 6 years later here we are, i'm stuck with a 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor and when 2025 comes i'll be completely abandonned by Microsoft, no more security upgrades, no more support, no more of Windows 10 at all, that's a really dirty marketing strategy..."
—Microsoft on 'the last version of Windows'
Windows 10 strutted onto the scene in 2015 with the bold promise that it would be the last version of Windows.¹ “This is it,” Microsoft whispered, seductively, “we’re just going to keep updating it forever.” And many of us, still emotionally recovering from Windows 8’s identity crisis, nodded cautiously and clicked “Update.”
And for a while, it worked. Windows 10 became the comfy hoodie of operating systems—familiar, flexible, and only occasionally infuriating. It patched up the worst mistakes of Windows 8 (remember full-screen apps that hijacked your entire desktop like a clingy ex?) and reintroduced the Start menu, proving that yes, Microsoft can listen sometimes. Features came and went with each major update—some great (virtual desktops), some… confusing (hello Cortana, goodbye Cortana). But all in all, it held up.
Now, in a twist that surprises absolutely no one, Microsoft has changed its mind. Windows 10 is heading off into the great unsupported beyond on October 14, 2025. After that, no more updates. No more patches. No more security cuddles. It’ll still run, like an old refrigerator humming in the garage, but you probably shouldn’t rely on it forever. Especially if you value things like privacy, stability, and not getting surprise ransomware with your morning coffee.
Danger, Will Robinson!
After Microsoft's support for Windows 10 ends on 14th October , 2025, users will face several significant risks. Without ongoing security updates, systems become increasingly vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and zero-day exploits. Additionally, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, leaving users to rely on outdated resources or third-party services. Compatibility issues may also arise as new software and hardware are designed for newer operating systems, potentially causing essential applications to stop working or new devices to lack proper driver support. While Extended Security Updates (ESUs) are available for a fee, they are not a long-term solution and only delay the inevitable transition to a newer OS.
1: "The risks of staying with Windows 10 after End Of Life"
So naturally, we look to Windows 11. And here’s where things get a little sticky.
You see, not everyone gets an invitation to the Windows 11 party. Microsoft now wants you to have all sorts of fancy hardware just to upgrade. A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0? Required. A CPU from this century? Also yes. In fact, even some machines bought within the last 10 years are politely shown the door for being just a tiny bit too old. It’s like being turned away from a nightclub because your shoes aren’t quite shiny enough.
Maybe your laptop actually has TPM 2.0 but it's hiding, slyly disabled in the BIOS. Or maybe your processor is technically capable, but not on Microsoft’s Very Official Approved List of CPUs. Either way, if your machine doesn’t pass the checks, Windows 11 won’t let you in without a bit of hackery—and Microsoft won’t promise you updates if you force your way through the back door.
So what are your options?
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Buy a new computer. If you’ve been itching for an excuse, there you go.
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Stick with Windows 10. But after 2025, you’ll be doing so without a safety net. Like walking a tightrope made of unsupported software.
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Jump ship entirely. (There are some penguin-flavoured alternatives out there. Just saying.)
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Pay for extended support, maybe. If Microsoft eventually offers it to individuals, it’ll likely cost you, and you'll still be on borrowed time.
All of this might leave a bad taste, especially for users who thought Windows 10 would go the distance. It was supposed to be the one—the stable, ever-evolving platform that didn’t ask for much. And now it’s being phased out, just when we finally got used to where everything is in the Settings menu.
Still, it’s not the end of the world. But it is the end of an era—and for many machines, the beginning of some difficult decisions. Upgrade, replace, patch, or just ignore and hope for the best. Meanwhile, Windows 10 will live on for a while yet—quietly updating, mostly behaving, and occasionally reminding you that yes, one day soon, it’s going to need to retire.
You might want to start planning that retirement party now. There will be cake. But probably no drivers. If you decide to switch away, there are plenty of people eager to help, even websites emerging to help people migrate (at https://endof10.org/, for one).
¹ Actually, Microsoft never officially said this, one of their overenthusiastic managers said it at a developer's conference, the media picked it up and ran with it for a touchdown.
xclip -o | wc wc -w
716
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