What Happens When Windows 10 Support Dies in 60 Days and What Should You Do About It?

Should You Panic About Windows 10 Ending Support on October 14, 2025?

Microsoft has started the final countdown. Your trusty Windows 10 computer is about to lose support forever. The clock is ticking, and you have exactly 60 days left.

An important date is coming for Windows 10 users. On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop official support for most versions of its popular operating system. This date is now very close. It marks a significant change in how millions of computers will be protected and updated. Think of this as a final notice to prepare for what comes next.

After this date, the regular flow of monthly security updates will stop. These updates are vital. They protect your computer from new security threats that appear all the time. Without them, your personal information and files could become vulnerable.

What Happens When Support Ends?

When a software product reaches its “end of support” or “end of life,” the company that makes it stops creating updates for it. For Windows 10, this means:

• No More Security Updates: Your computer will not receive patches that fix security holes. This is the most serious consequence. It leaves your device open to viruses, ransomware, and other malicious attacks.
• No New Features: You will not get any new features or non-security improvements.
• No Technical Help: Microsoft’s customer service will no longer provide technical support for Windows 10 issues.

Your computer will still turn on and work. But it will slowly become less safe to use, especially for browsing the internet, checking email, or handling sensitive documents. Think of it like this. Your car still runs after the warranty ends. But if something breaks, you’re on your own. That’s what happens to Windows 10 after October 14.

Microsoft will stop sending updates to these versions:

• Windows 10 Home
• Windows 10 Pro
• Windows 10 Enterprise
• Windows 10 Education
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise

The company is also ending help for older Windows 10 versions from 2015.

Your Computer Will Show Warning Messages

When the support ends, your computer will start showing pop-up messages. These warnings will tell you:

“Your Windows has reached end of service”

“Get the newer version of Windows to stay up to date”

These messages appear in the corner of your screen. They also show up when you check for updates.

What Are Your Options?

You have three main choices. Each one has good and bad points.

Option 1: Do Nothing and Stay on Windows 10

You can continue using Windows 10 without updates. This is not recommended. While your PC will function, the risk of a security breach will increase every month. Over time, new software and hardware may also stop working correctly with the outdated system.

Option 2: Pay for Extended Support

For the first time, Microsoft is offering home users the chance to pay for continued security updates. This program, called ESU, will give you critical security patches for up to three years. It is a good choice if your computer cannot run Windows 11 but you want to remain protected. This is a yearly subscription service.

The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program gives you:

• Important security fixes
• Critical safety patches
• Protection from new threats

But this is just a band-aid solution. It won’t last forever.

Option 3: Upgrade to Windows 11 (Best Choice)

This is the path Microsoft recommends. Windows 11 is the newer operating system. It receives all the latest security updates and features. For most people, this is the best and safest option. The upgrade is free if your computer is compatible. You get:

• Regular security updates
• New features
• Better protection
• Long-term support

How to Prepare for the Change

You can take simple steps now to get ready.

Step 1: First, check your current Windows version.

How to Check Your Windows Version? Before you decide, find out which Windows you have. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows + R
2. Type “winver” and press Enter
3. A window will show your version

If you see “22H2” in the window, that’s the final Windows 10 version. No newer versions will come out.

Step 2:Next, check if your computer can run Windows 11.

Microsoft provides a free tool called the “PC Health Check” app to see if your hardware meets the requirements. The main requirements are a feature called TPM 2.0 and a system setting called Secure Boot. These help make your computer more secure. Can Your Computer Run Windows 11? Not all computers can upgrade to Windows 11. Your computer needs:

• A special security chip called TPM 2.0
• UEFI Secure Boot turned on
• Enough memory and storage space
• A newer processor

If your computer is too old, you might need to buy a new one. This is frustrating for many people.

Step 3: If you cannot upgrade, decide on your next step.

If your hardware is not compatible with Windows 11, your choices are to purchase the ESU plan to stay safe or eventually buy a new computer that runs Windows 11.

What If You Can’t Upgrade? Some people can’t move to Windows 11. Maybe their computer is too old. Maybe they can’t afford a new one. Here are some ideas:

What to Do If Your PC Won’t Update

Sometimes, a computer that should be able to update has trouble. If you find yourself in this situation, here are a few things to check:

• Free Up Space: Make sure you have at least 10 GB of free space on your main system drive (usually the C: drive). Windows updates need room to download and install.
• Check Update Settings: In some cases, especially on computers previously used for work, update settings may be blocked. You can go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update to check for any messages and trigger a new search for updates.
• Reset the Update Service: If updates constantly fail, a tool like the Windows Update Troubleshooter can help reset things to their default settings.
• Use the Media Creation Tool: As a final option, you can manually upgrade using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool. This tool lets you download the latest version of Windows and start the installation yourself. During the process, it will give you the choice to “Keep personal files and apps,” so you will not lose your data.

Consider these alternatives

• Buy the extended security updates for one more year
• Replace your computer with a newer one
• Switch to a different operating system
• Accept the security risks and stay careful online

Microsoft is serious about ending Windows 10. The company has warned people for years. Now the deadline is here.

Your best move is to upgrade to Windows 11 if you can. If not, consider paying for extended support while you figure out a long-term plan.

Don’t wait until the last minute. Start planning now. Your digital safety depends on it.

Remember, using an unsupported operating system is like driving without insurance. You might be fine for a while. But when something bad happens, you’ll wish you had protection.

This transition from Windows 10 is a necessary step in technology. By understanding your options and preparing ahead of time, you can ensure your computer remains a safe and reliable tool for your daily life.