When you should update and what it means for you

Imran Rahman-JonesTechnology reporter andLiv McMahonTechnology reporterGetty ImagesMicrosoft is encouraging customers to replace to Home windows 11There is a giant change coming for many individuals who use Home windows computer systems. Microsoft is ending help for its Home windows 10 working system, which signifies that after Tuesday 14 October, these computer systems could also be in danger.It is because safety updates will cease, making units extra susceptible to assault.Microsoft is encouraging folks to improve without spending a dime to Home windows 11 – however not all computer systems will be capable to do this. “The tip of help for Home windows 10 is shaping as much as be a catastrophe for each shoppers and the setting,” stated Nathan Proctor, senior director at US client group PIRG. So, what does it imply for you?Who’s affected?Home windows is the world’s hottest pc working system, with Microsoft saying it’s used on over 1.4 billion units across the globe.Round 43% of those have been utilizing Home windows 10 in July 2025, in response to Statcounter.Within the UK, client information Which? estimates there may very well be 21 million folks nonetheless utilizing Home windows 10.In September, it ran a survey which discovered a couple of quarter of these customers have been planning to proceed to make use of it even after Microsoft’s official help ends.About one in seven stated they deliberate to purchase a brand new pc.Different client teams have criticised the top of Home windows 10 help, saying it’ll result in pointless spending and environmental waste.”Individuals are bored with dwelling in a world stuffed with short-lived units we will not repair, or lose software program help or are in any other case pressured into the waste stream,” stated Mr Proctor, who campaigns for the fitting to restore within the US.He added: “We deserve tech that lasts.”What do I have to do?Microsoft is basically giving private customers two choices: Replace to Home windows 11, or signal as much as obtain prolonged safety updates for 12 months.These will be completed within the “Privateness and Safety” part of your settings.Individuals who personal PCs eligible for Home windows 11 can improve without spending a dime.Nonetheless, many individuals “must buy new units – even supposing their present computer systems work simply high-quality,” stated Mr Proctor.In case you do not wish to improve immediately, or your machine is just too previous for Home windows 11, you’ll be able to signal as much as a scheme which is able to proceed a very powerful safety updates till October 2026.That is referred to as Prolonged Safety Updates (ESU) – nevertheless it doesn’t supply any technical help or different software program updates.Individuals dwelling within the European Financial Space will get it without spending a dime by registering. For different customers to get it without spending a dime, they should have up to date to the most recent model of Home windows 10, have a Microsoft account and backed up their PC settings.In any other case, it’s important to pay a $30 (£22) charge or use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards factors to entry ESU.For business organisations utilizing Home windows 10, it’ll price $61 per machine.The precise quantity you pay will depend on the place on the earth you reside.Getty ImagesWhat’s altering?Since its launch in 2015, Microsoft has stored Home windows 10 going with frequent software program updates.These have been used to tweak or add new options, in addition to patch safety points and bugs.The corporate recommends customers improve to Home windows 11 without spending a dime – however some older units will not be capable to run the brand new working system.Additionally it is making it more durable to make use of Home windows 11 with out a Microsoft account – and one technique to prolong the lifetime of your Home windows 10 machine additionally requires a Microsoft account.Some customers choose to not log in with a Microsoft account for privateness causes.What is the danger?Microsoft will cease sending important safety updates and fixes to Home windows 10 PCs.That may make your machine extra susceptible to threats equivalent to viruses or malicious software program – as you will not get the most recent defences in opposition to assaults.We’ve seen various high-profile cyber-attacks in current months, to companies starting from retailers to automotive producers and even a nursery chain.Firms may additionally “discover it difficult to take care of regulatory compliance with unsupported software program”, Microsoft Client Chief Advertising Officer Yusuf Mehdi wrote in a weblog publish.You may additionally discover different software program might lose some performance as builders cease sending their newest options to older working methods.