RIP Windows 10: Experts warn of urgent issues as | Tech News

This week, Microsoft will finish help for Windows 10. As of October 14, 2025, the firm will no longer present free software program updates for the decade-old PC working system.

First launched in 2015 as the successor to Windows 8, Windows 10 was itself outmoded by Windows 11 in 2021. But for the final 4 years Microsoft has supplied these nonetheless utilizing Windows 10 with common function and security updates.

That ends this week. If you need to keep utilizing Windows 10 in your PC it’s going to nonetheless work, however consultants are warning that you could be be at heightened risk of cyber assaults in future.

Consumer watchdog Which? final week stated it estimates 21 million people within the UK are nonetheless utilizing Windows 10, with 5.4 million of these desiring to proceed to make use of it after October 14.

Which? stated these people ought to “act now to avoid security risks” and urged people to contemplate updating their machines to Windows 11, which Microsoft gives as a free software program replace.

“If you have a home laptop or PC running Windows, now is the time to check which version you’re using and if it’s Windows 10 or older, make a plan of action,” stated Lisa Barber, Editor of Which? Tech.

“If you don’t act, you could become more vulnerable to hackers and scams.

“Luckily, in most cases there will be a free and easy solution available to you – whether that’s upgrading to Windows 11, or, if your computer is older and not compatible, opting for the one-year free extension to Windows 10 as a temporary measure.”

Microsoft is offering this one 12 months free extension of Windows 10 updates as half of its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which requires customers to sync their knowledge to Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud providers. Otherwise, it prices $30.

But some older Windows computer systems could not meet the minimal system necessities for Windows 11, leaving you confronted with shopping for a new PC if you wish to be protected.

“[W]ith Windows 10’s end-of-support scheduled for October 14, 2025, many users will transition to Windows 11 to continue receiving security updates,” stated Anna Larkina, Web Content and Privacy Analysis Expert at Kaspersky. “After this date, unsupported Windows 10 systems will be at increased risk from unpatched vulnerabilities, encouraging upgrades to the newer operating system.”

“Despite privacy considerations, transitioning to Windows 11 remains preferable for most Windows users due to the regular security updates that patch emerging vulnerabilities, which is especially important in the first year after the OS’s release, when new threats are more common.”

It’s thought that people ditching their functioning however doubtlessly at-risk Windows 10 PCs might create pointless e-waste.

“When operating systems like Windows 10 enter the end of support, this can become problematic for users, especially businesses,” stated Mark Wall of Business Waste, a business waste management firm.

“As cybersecurity becomes an increasingly important issue, many consumers and businesses are finding that they cannot afford to take risks when it comes to device security.”

The company estimates the tip of Windows 10 help might end in 14.4 million “obsolete” PCs within the UK, which might in flip generate 12,805,100kg of metals going to waste.