Windows 10 support ending in 2025: What users need to know

Microsoft updated its support information page, where a new banner informs users about the upcoming end of support for Windows 10. The system will receive its last updates in October 2025, and from that moment, it will become potentially the weakest link in a computer's defense against security threats and hacker attacks.

Windows 10 can be updated for free to Windows 11, but not everyone wants to or can do so—mainly because some computers do not meet the minimum hardware requirements. Microsoft recommends that a new, compatible computer be considered in such cases. However, other solutions exist, including Windows in the cloud, which is one recommended option for business users.

The end of support for Windows 10 not only means no new features (though, theoretically, the system should not have received any new features for a long time since the release of Windows 11) but primarily the end of security updates. This results in being cut off from the monthly Windows Update packages, in which Microsoft patches anywhere from a dozen to several dozen security vulnerabilities, depending on the month.

If you decide to update from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on a compatible computer, performing a data backup is advisable. The update process is not particularly invasive theoretically, but in practice, danger can never be ruled out. The habit of taking backups should be one of the basics, especially before carrying out such a necessary installation.