Today is the official end-of-support date for Microsoft’s Windows 10. That doesn’t mean these PCs will suddenly stop working, but if you don’t take action, it does mean your PC has received its last regular security patches and that Microsoft is washing its hands of technical support.
This end-of-support date comes about a decade after the initial release of Windows 10, which is typical for most Windows versions. But it comes just four years after Windows 10 was replaced by Windows 11, a version with stricter system requirements that left many older-but-still-functional PCs with no officially supported upgrade path. As a result, Windows 10 still runs on roughly 40 percent of the world’s Windows PCs (or around a third of US-based PCs), according to StatCounter data.
But this end-of-support date also isn’t set in stone. Home users with Windows 10 PCs can enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which extends the support timeline by another year. We’ve published directions for how to do this here—while you do need one of the Microsoft accounts that the company is always pushing, it’s relatively trivial to enroll in the ESU program for free.
It’s interesting to see the end of support for Windows 10 marked today. Change is always a big deal in the tech world, and it will be intriguing to see how users adapt moving forward. Thanks for sharing this update!
Absolutely, change can feel daunting, especially with technology evolving so quickly. It’s worth noting that while support is ending for Windows 10, many users might find the transition to Windows 11 smoother than expected, given the familiar interface and features.
considering how these updates can enhance security and performance. While it might seem overwhelming now, embracing these changes can lead to a better overall experience in the long run. Plus, exploring new features can be quite exciting!
You make a great point about the importance of updates for security and performance. It’s interesting to think about how transitioning to the latest operating systems can also provide new features that improve user experience. Staying informed can definitely make the process less daunting!