Time is running out for Windows 10. On 14th of October 2025, Microsoft will cease providing technical help and security updates to Windows 10. This means any system still running that operating system after that date will be vulnerable to new viruses, malware and software exploits. Worryingly, five million people in the UK are still using this OS.
A survey performed by consumer advocate and advice service Which? showed that over a quarter of people currently using Windows 10 intended to continue to use it, and had no plans to upgrade to Windows 11. 39 percent of respondents indicated plans to upgrade their device to a newer one that could support Windows 11.
Those choosing to stay on Windows 10 after the end-of-support deadline will no longer receive critical Windows updates, which include security patches to fix potential exploits, along with new features. It is common practice for hackers, viruses, worms and other malware to target out-of-date software that contains known vulnerabilities, putting users of unsupported operating systems like Windows 10 at risk.
In some cases, this is a systemic problem. Extremely large organisations or businesses are often reluctant to move to new equipment and operating systems. This can be for a variety of reasons, including compatibility with highly specialised software or hardware, or simply down to lack of budget.
As many customers have found when trying to upgrade older PCs or laptops, the requirements for Windows 11 can block progress. Users of older devices have found themselves thwarted, usually by the requirements for UEFI, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and Secure Boot. A lot of older machines lack these features entirely.
Users, businesses and organisations have found themselves faced with the dilemma of if they should junk perfectly functional but incompatible hardware, or take the risk and go without the security updates. The Which? survey suggests a concerning number have chosen the latter option.
For those who plan on sticking with Windows 10 a while longer, it is probably worth redeeming your right to an extra year of updates before the deadline hits.
