This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/14/what-does-the-end-of-free-support-for-windows-10-mean-for-its-users
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us
From Tuesday Microsoft will not provide free assist as customary for Windows 10, an working system that’s utilized by tens of millions of pc and laptop computer homeowners all over the world.
Figures for September counsel 4 in 10 of these utilizing Microsoft Windows worldwide have been still using Windows 10, regardless of the introduction of its successor, Windows 11, in 2021.
What is occurring to Windows 10?
After 14 October 2025, Microsoft will not present customary free software program updates, safety fixes or technical help to Windows 10 PCs.
This means computer systems operating the software program will nonetheless work however it should steadily grow to be extra susceptible to viruses and malware as bugs and safety holes are found.
Microsoft says the extra up-to-date system, Windows 11, “meets the current demands for heightened security by default”.
What’s the danger?
If Windows customers do nothing, they might grow to be significantly susceptible to hackers who’re drawn to wide-scale systemic weaknesses.
The shopper group Which? warned that about 5 million British pc customers plan to proceed utilizing units operating the software program.
Wherever on this planet you’re, by persevering with to make use of Windows 10 you’ll put your self prone to cyber-attacks, information theft and scams.
Criminals “are going to target people, they are going to exploit weaknesses and they are going to want to steal your data,” says Lisa Barber, the editor of Which? Tech journal.
How do I scale back the risk?
The most simple transfer is to replace to Windows 11 at no cost.
If your PC is lower than 4 years outdated it should in all probability be capable to run Windows 11. To discover out, test your pc specs. The minimum specifications for Windows 11 are 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, however computer systems additionally want a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0), which shops credentials in a safe chip, much like all trendy smartphones.
Microsoft has a free tool to check whether or not a pc operating Windows 10 will assist Windows 11 and Which? has an online tool to test compatibility based mostly on the processor in your pc.
What if my pc lacks the mandatory {hardware} to improve to Windows 11?
Doing nothing might depart you susceptible to malware and different safety breaches. One possibility is to enroll in Microsoft’s one-year extended security update, which is able to guarantee safety till 13 October 2026.
That provides you with one other 12 months to plan for the tip of assist and make different preparations.
Signing up is free in case you log into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account to sync your settings, in any other case you have to to pay $30, plus tax, or redeem 1,000 reward factors.
Is there a substitute for Windows 11?
Other pc working methods can present secure and safe use for PCs that can’t improve to Windows 11.
One resolution is to put in Linux, which is a household of free working methods that are available in numerous flavours or “distributions”.
Make certain you again up all of your recordsdata to an exterior drive or comparable secure storage, as changing Windows is prone to wipe them or make them onerous to entry.
One of the preferred and user-friendly variations of Linux is Canonical’s Ubuntu, which is free, open supply and supported with safety updates. You will want a USB flash drive to put in it rather than Windows, however Canonical has a step-by-step guide you can follow.
Bear in thoughts that whereas loads of software program helps Linux, not all Windows apps could have Linux variations.
Alternatively, if most of what you want a pc for will be carried out utilizing a browser, Google presents a model of its light-weight ChromeOS that may be put in on a variety of PCs at no cost. Check that your model is supported after which observe Google’s ChromeOS Flex installation guide. You will want a USB flash drive.
Buy a brand new pc
If your pc can not set up different software program otherwise you want Windows, then one other different is just to purchase a brand new PC with Windows 11 and assist.
Many retailers function trade-in schemes that take again your outdated pc for recycling and provide a small low cost on new fashions. Alternatively, refurbished Windows 11 machines are extensively out there from numerous retailers, equivalent to Currys, marketplaces equivalent to Back Market and producers, equivalent to Dell for decrease price.
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/14/what-does-the-end-of-free-support-for-windows-10-mean-for-its-users
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us
