Windows 10

Windows 10 has officially reached "End of Life" on October 14, 2025. While this should not be a surprise to anyone using Windows 10, there is still a very large population of computers using this operating system. 

"End of Life" means Microsoft will no longer provide security updates to patch the operating system for known exploits. In the updates that were released October 14, 2025 there were six such exploits known as "Zero Days".

Your computer will still work but users will be at greater risk, how much risk will be dependent on what you do on the web and what sort of links you click on. Unfortunately stats are not produced, that I know of, that distinguish between corporate and retail versions and this is important as corporate versions are still being supported. Regardless there is still a large retail base using the Windows 10. To assist in the transition Microsoft has created the "Extended Security Updates" program more commonly referred to as ESU. 

The ESU program will extend the availability of security updates to retail users to October 13, 2026 thus giving users one more year to make the transition to a supported OS. Whether or not Microsoft extends these updates further remains an unknown. My opinion is they will not extend it. It is worth noting that other major tech companies all have similar "End of Life" strategies for hardware and software, look no further than your cell phone for examples. 

The process to "Enroll" in the ESU program is very straight forward and there is no cost if you allow Microsoft to backup your computer settings. There is a requirement to have a Microsoft account, something a lot of people all ready have and use on a daily basis to sign into their computers. If you don't have a Microsoft account you can create one for free. Before you create a Microsoft account please ensure you don't already have one, I'd be happy to discuss this with you.

There is a concern that you are giving up some of your personal information, think privacy, if you accept this option to backup your computer settings. For those that share this concern you can choose to spend $30 USD to avoid the backing up your settings, you still need a Microsoft account.

There are other commercial options available and some of these will provide support for the next three years. 0Patch is one such option.   

To enroll in Microsoft's ESU program open Windows "Settings" and click on the heading "Update and Security". The enroll option should be there as a link, in blue. Click on the link and follow the prompts. You can enroll at any time before the program ends, I recommend enrolling before November 11, 2025 when the next security updates are released. 

To confirm your enrollment open the "Update and Security" heading, in "Settings", and look in the right hand corner of the display. The words "Your PC is enrolled to get Extended Security Updates" should be displayed. If it says "Your computer does not meet Windows 11 requirements", you are not enrolled. 

I strongly recommend you do something to regain supported status until such time as you make the move to a supported OS.

Technology 411 is available to help and there are lots of articles on the web regarding ESU and the alternatives. There are also alternatives when it comes to buying Windows 11 computers that I would be happy to discuss with you. Any computer bought must meet the Windows 11 hardware specifications. Some computers being sold run Windows 11 but do not meet the hardware specifications. In my opinion this will lead to future issues and will likely prevent Windows 12 from being installed. 

The time to take action is now and the call is free.