Windows 10 End of Life: Your Path Forward

The clock has run out. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. For millions of users still running Windows 10, this milestone marks a critical decision point for the future of their computing environment. While your Windows 10 computers will still function after October 14, 2025, without continued software and security updates, your PC will be at greater risk for viruses and malware.

What Does End of Life Actually Mean?

Microsoft no longer provides software updates, security fixes, or technical assistance to Windows 10 PCs. Version 22H2 will be the final version of Windows 10, meaning no new features or improvements are coming.

The real danger isn't that your computer will stop working—it's that once those cumulative updates stop, the operating system will no longer receive patches to protect it against new security vulnerabilities, making it increasingly risky to connect a Windows 10 device to the internet or use it for online activities like banking, shopping, or email.

Our Recommendation: Upgrade to Windows 11

We strongly recommend upgrading to Windows 11 as your primary option. This is the most secure, supported, and future-proof path forward. Microsoft recommends upgrading devices to Windows 11, a more modern, secure, and highly efficient computing experience.

If your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, you may be eligible for a free upgrade. To check if your PC is eligible for the free upgrade go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.

For Budget-Constrained Users: Understanding Your Options

We understand that not everyone can immediately upgrade to new hardware or Windows 11. For those on limited budgets who cannot consider migration at this time, there are interim solutions available—though none should be considered permanent replacements for upgrading.

Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU)

Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates program, but it comes with significant costs and limitations:

For Consumers:

• Windows 10 ESU program costs $30 and provides security updates for one additional year (until October 2026)
• You can extend Windows 10 support by linking your Microsoft account and syncing Settings to OneDrive for free, though users outside the EU also need to sync Settings to OneDrive
• Available as a one-time $30 purchase or through Microsoft Rewards points (1,000 points)

For Businesses:

• ESU starts at $61 per device for the first year, providing critical security patches
• The price doubles every consecutive year, for a maximum of three years
• Users who stick around through all three years of the program will end up paying around $427 per device
• If you decide to purchase the program in Year Two, you have to pay for Year One too, as ESUs are cumulative

Important Limitations:

• ESU enrollment does not provide other types of fixes, feature improvements, or product enhancements. It also does not come with technical support.
• Consumer ESU only extends support for one year, not three years like business versions
• Extended Security Updates are not intended to be a long-term solution but rather a temporary bridge

Third-Party Alternative: 0patch

For those exploring alternatives to Microsoft's ESU, 0patch is a third-party micropatch provider worth mentioning:

What 0patch Offers:

• 0patch offers five additional years of critical security patches until October 2030
• Pricing at approximately €25 ($28) annually for the Pro plan
• 0Patch is a micropatch provider that can apply security updates directly to the OS without restarting
• At its most basic tier, 0Patch provides security updates via micro-patches for free, though the free version only installs 0-day patches—security gaps in Windows that are not yet publicly known or for which there are no official patches

Important Considerations:
While 0patch may appear attractive for budget-conscious users, it's critical to understand that as long as original vendor's security updates are available and free, applying them as quickly as you can is recommended, since official fixes by developers knowing the product inside-out are generally preferable—and after October 2025, neither Microsoft's free updates nor 0patch can fully replace a proper Windows 11 migration.

Our Testing and Final Recommendation

We will be conducting testing with 0patch to evaluate its effectiveness as a temporary security solution for organizations and users who absolutely cannot migrate immediately. However, we want to be crystal clear: we still strongly recommend migration to Windows 11 as the only truly secure and sustainable path forward.

Any Extended Security Update program—whether from Microsoft or a third party—should be viewed as a temporary bridge, not a destination. ESUs should be viewed as a temporary solution rather than a permanent strategy, with increasing costs designed to encourage migration to newer, more secure operating systems.

Take Action Now

Don't wait until it's too late. Here's what you should do:

1. Check Windows 11 compatibility for your current hardware
2. Budget for upgrades if new hardware is needed
3. Plan your migration timeline – the longer you wait, the more vulnerable you become
4. If you absolutely must stay on Windows 10, evaluate ESU or 0patch as very short-term bridges only
5. Prioritize your most critical systems for migration first

The end of Windows 10 support isn't just a deadline—it's a security imperative. While your Windows 10 PC will continue to function, it will no longer receive regular security updates, making the device more vulnerable and susceptible to viruses and malware.

The best time to upgrade was yesterday. The second-best time is now. Contact us today to discuss your Windows 11 migration strategy.