Microsoft Inc. has announced it will stop providing updates for its Windows 10 operating system starting October 14, 2025.
The move has sparked criticism from consumer advocates and concerns among users who fear they will need to buy new computers to stay secure online.
The 2015-era operating system, once the backbone of millions of PCs worldwide, will no longer receive security patches or feature updates after the cutoff date.
“Such downloads were used to regularly patch the operating system because it had become the target of many cyberattacks,” a computer security expert at KnowBe4, Martin Kraemer, said.
What it means for users
Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11, which was released in 2021. For those whose PCs cannot run the newer OS, the company is offering a one-year security update extension for $30.
Consumer rights advocates have criticized the decision, arguing that many relatively new computers will become vulnerable or obsolete.
“The lack of backwards compatibility for certain Windows 10 machines sold only a couple of years ago is a blow to consumers’ pocketbooks,” said Consumer Reports.
In Europe, groups like France’s End Planned Obsolescence (HOP) have launched petitions demanding free security updates through 2030. Germany’s federation of consumer groups, Verbraucherzentrale, warned that the policy could force unnecessary computer purchases, increasing electronic waste and harming the environment.
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How many are affected
While Microsoft has not disclosed figures, Consumer Reports estimates that about 650 million people are still using Windows 10 as of August 2025. The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) projects that roughly 400 million of those PCs are not compatible with Windows 11.
Security and compatibility risks
Cybersecurity experts warn that users who remain on Windows 10 without updates will face growing risks from malware and hackers exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities.
“By receiving no updates, you’re no longer protecting yourself against the most recent cybersecurity risks,” Kraemer told AFP.
Beyond security, Windows 10 users could also face software compatibility issues over time. “Application vendors rely on the operating system vendor to provide certain features and functions. If these are not updated, the app vendor can’t be assured that their application will continue to function properly,” said Paddy Harrington of consulting firm Forrester.
Even up-to-date antivirus software cannot fully protect an unsupported operating system. Harrington suggested that users unwilling or unable to buy a new Windows 11-compatible machine could consider switching to alternative operating systems such as Linux, which is free and already powers many internet servers and Android smartphones.
“As long as your applications support that OS and your management and security tools will support it, it’s a good choice,” Harrington said.