Windows 10: one year before biggest Ctrl-Alt-Delete in history

All good things must come to an end. The countdown has begun for Windows 10 users — estimated to be more than a billion PC users worldwide.

Microsoft has announced that on 10 October 2025, the tech company will end support for the world’s most popular platform. This serves as a reminder for users who haven’t yet migrated to Windows 11 or another operating system.

Sixty-four per cent of Windows users are still using Windows 10, while only half as many have upgraded to the Windows 11 platform, which the company introduced in 2021.

So, it’s no surprise that the tech company is eager to transition everyone to the new platform which, they say, promises enhanced performance, productivity, improved design, and AI capabilities.

So much for the carrot: the stick is that the end of support for the world’s most popular computer system could spell trouble for users remaining loyal to the so-called “Ford Fiesta of the computing world.”

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Windows 10 end of support: what you need to know

According to Steve Haskew, group director of sustainability and growth at Circular Computing, while Windows 10 won’t grind to a halt next October — and Microsoft appears to be offering extended support (for a fee) to some customers — users will no longer be offered the same upgrades or protections.

No more patches

“Microsoft will no longer update or ‘patch’ Windows 10, meaning those haven’t transitioned will struggle to deal with bugs and potentially find themselves increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks,” he warned.

James McQuiggan, a security awareness advocate at training platform KnowBe4 added that cybercriminals will hold onto their newly discovered vulnerabilities and wait to use them after the product goes EOL (end of life) as they know the software will not be patched.

“Another factor to consider is the compliance risks, as many industries and regulations require using supported software. It means organisations could face penalties for not being compliant. In addition, they create a larger attack surface for attackers due to unsupported third-party applications and security tools,” McQuiggan added.

The security advocate added that Windows 11 offered enterprises additional advantages with security from zero-trust architecture, hardware-based isolation, and better integration with modern cybersecurity tools.

“Though the price of transitioning may seem alarming, it provides a quick return on investment (ROI) compared to that of a cyberattack or regulation fines from outdated software is likely to cost. Moving to Windows 11 also ensures that businesses are secure and reduce the risk of potential cyber threats,” he added.

Sustainable upgrades

Haskew added that the move could also precipitate a mountain of electronic waste, as users with hardware that can’t run Windows 11 will have to jettison ageing computers.

According to Microsoft, the basic system requirements for Windows 11 are a Processor with 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB or more of storage, a graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver, and HD display.

Haskew recommended users use Microsoft’s PC health tool to check if their devices are compatible with a free upgrade. If compatible, Windows 11 should take approximately an hour to install.

“Generally, you are looking for Intel Core i5/8th Generation and above supporting a TPM2.0 chip.

“If not, there are options — consider switching to different operating software like Google’s OS Flex, which can transform your old Windows-based device into a Chromebook.

“Above all, if you’re planning to make any change to your computer, back up your files first to avoid the risk of losing anything during the process. Also, make sure to recycle any unwanted equipment responsibly. Contact the retailer you bought it from for options or consider donating it to charity.”

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