The one thing all Windows 10 users need to do by | Tech News

If you might be nonetheless utilizing a Windows 10 PC, Microsoft will very quickly stop sending you free software program updates until you do one thing – though it may cost a little you.

October 14 is the day Microsoft formally retires Windows 10, no longer offering its tens of millions of users worldwide with software program and security updates. The firm would favor you to replace your machine to Windows 11, or barring that, buy a new pc altogether.

But as is usually the case with the tip of an working system, issues aren’t so simple as that. Figures show 43 % of all Windows computer systems globally nonetheless run Windows 10, that means they may technically be more unsafe after the October deadline, theoretically more weak to cyber assault as rising bugs and software program flaws go unfixed.

Microsoft has determined to offer all Windows 10 users a manner out, however provided that you’re prepared to pay $30 (£22) for the privilege. The firm is presently rolling out an option within the settings menu of Windows 10 gadgets offering users the prospect to enroll in what it calls Extended Security Updates (ESUs), a yearlong offer of software program updates till October 13, 2026.

According to Microsoft, these ESUs are free if you’re logged in to a registered Microsoft account and agree to sync and backup your PC’s settings and apps to Microsoft’s cloud service.

If you don’t need to be logged into an account or commit to the cloud backup, you’ll need to pay the $30 charge. Alternatively, you may redeem 1,000 Microsoft rewards factors, when you have in some way managed to accrue that many in your account (or knew they existed within the first place).

But the short yearlong extension, nonetheless you get it, can’t cover the actual fact Microsoft desires you to improve to Windows 11.

“Microsoft announced last October, the Extended Security Updates (ESU) consumer programme, which gives the option for eligible Windows 10 PCs enrolled in the programme to receive security updates,” the firm stated on an data web page on its web site.

“The programme gives customers more time before moving to a Copilot+ PC or other Windows 11 device.

“Windows 10 PCs will continue to function. However, from 14 October 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide the following for Windows 10 devices:

• Technical support
• Feature updates or new features
• Quality updates (including security and reliability fixes)”.

Although Microsoft technically permits any Windows 10 PC to improve to Windows 11, your machine won’t have the option to run the working system as stability because it does Windows 10 due to elevated system necessities for the newer model. Along with no less than a 1Ghz chip, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and more, your pc additionally wants to have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) model 2.0.

Without no less than model 2.0 of this {hardware} chip element, your PC is not going to run Windows 11. You can learn Microsoft’s instructions on how to test in case your PC “might be enabled to meet this requirement”.

If it will probably’t meet the necessities, your choices are to proceed utilizing Windows 10 with out software program updates or to get the yr of ESUs. After October 2026, you’re in your own.