Windows 10 has reached the end of support: what it means for your computers

Windows 10 reached the end of its support life on 14 October 2025. Computers running it still switch on and still work, which is exactly why this is a problem that is easy to ignore. This article explains what has changed and what your options are.

What end of support means

Microsoft no longer releases free security updates for Windows 10. Every month, new vulnerabilities are found in Windows and fixed in Windows 11; the same vulnerabilities often exist in Windows 10, and there they stay open. Attackers know this and target older systems deliberately. Over time, software makers also stop supporting their programs on Windows 10, and cyber insurers ask specifically whether you are running any unsupported operating systems.

Which computers are affected

On any computer, open Settings, then System, then About, and look at the Windows specifications. For managed clients, our monitoring already lists which computers run which version, and we flag Windows 10 machines on your monthly report.

Option one: upgrade to Windows 11

Computers made from about 2018 onwards can usually be upgraded to Windows 11 free of charge. The upgrade keeps your files and programs. Microsoft's requirements include a recent processor and a security chip called TPM 2.0, so some older machines are excluded even if they feel fast enough. We check eligibility for each computer and schedule upgrades outside working hours.

Option two: replace the computer

A computer too old for Windows 11 is typically six or more years old and nearing the end of its useful life anyway. Replacing it is usually the better value compared with paying for extended updates on ageing hardware. See Buying a new computer for work; we take no margin on hardware.

Option three: Extended Security Updates

Microsoft offers paid Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 for businesses, for up to three years, at a price that rises each year. This is a bridge, not a destination: it buys time for a computer that runs software not yet ready for Windows 11, or spreads replacement costs over a longer period. We can arrange it where it makes sense.

What we recommend

Do not keep an unsupported computer on the business network without a plan. For managed clients we propose a plan per computer, upgrade or replace or extend, with the cost of each, and we carry it out in stages so nobody loses a working day. Email hello@bitnode.tech if you would like us to review your computers.