What Happens When Windows 10 Support Ends? Risks, Costs, and Migration Options

According to Microsoft’s roadmap, Windows 10 will cease receiving free security updates on October 14, 2025, making systems more susceptible to malware, viruses, and other cyber threats once updates stop.

Windows 10, released in 2015, has enjoyed a ten‑year lifespan with numerous updates, becoming one of the most successful operating systems after Windows XP and Windows 7.

Just 27 days later, Windows 10 will officially reach its “end of life.”

Although Microsoft promotes Windows 11, its higher hardware requirements—such as the mandatory TPM 2.0 chip—prevent many older devices from upgrading.

TPM is a security chip on the motherboard that stores encryption keys tied to the computer, enabling better protection. While most modern PCs include TPM, many machines that are six to seven years old, even high‑spec ones, may lack it.

Microsoft stresses that TPM 2.0 will be required for all future Windows versions, meaning devices without it cannot use the new OS.

For many users, the only option is to purchase new hardware.

Microsoft offers a paid “Extended Security Updates (ESU)” service for Windows 10 users, allowing them to pay $30 (≈ 213 CNY) per year for critical and important security updates after mainstream support ends, with a maximum of three years extending protection to October 2028.

This service requires a Microsoft account, which is also needed to sign in to Windows 11, a barrier for some Windows 10 users.

The policy has drawn criticism; Consumer Reports sent an open letter to Microsoft’s CEO urging an extension of free security updates for Windows 10.

Data from Consumer Reports shows that as of August 2025, about 46.2 % of global users (roughly 200 – 400 million PCs) still run Windows 10, many of which cannot meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements.

Such a large user base would be exposed to security risks if Microsoft stops providing updates.

Consumer Reports also argues that Microsoft’s ESU plan adds financial burden and may force users to stay within the Microsoft ecosystem, potentially expanding its market share at the expense of competitors.

The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) warns that up to 400 million still‑usable PCs could be prematurely discarded, creating waste and environmental impact.

In addition to Windows 10, Microsoft announced that support for two older Office suites (Office 2016 and Office 2019) will also end on October 14, 2025, with no further security patches, bug fixes, or technical support.

Microsoft recommends moving to the subscription‑based Microsoft 365 cloud service, which includes the full Office suite, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, and AI‑powered Copilot features, offering automatic updates and higher security.

For devices that cannot immediately transition to the cloud or need offline operation, Microsoft suggests upgrading to Office LTSC 2024, a locally installed version designed for environments without regular feature updates or internet connectivity.