Windows 10 End of Support: What to Do in 2026
Since 14 October 2025, Microsoft no longer provides free updates for Windows 10: no more monthly security fixes, no more new features. Your PC keeps working, but every month that passes leaves it a little more exposed. There is no need to panic — here are your concrete options, from the simplest to the most cautious, so you can decide with your eyes open.
What "end of support" really means
Your computer will not switch itself off overnight. However, security flaws discovered after this date are no longer patched. Over time, some software and browsers will also stop supporting Windows 10. The risk is gradual: the longer you stay on an unpatched system, the wider the attack surface grows.
Option 1 — Upgrade to Windows 11 for free
If your PC is compatible, this is the most sensible route. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update: the upgrade is offered free of charge for eligible machines. Windows 11 requires, among other things, a recent processor, Secure Boot, and a TPM 2.0 chip. To check, use Microsoft's PC Health Check app.
Option 2 — Extend with Extended Security Updates (ESU)
Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme for consumers: it prolongs the delivery of critical patches by a year, giving you time to plan the next step calmly. It is a transitional solution, not a destination: it covers security only, not new features.
Option 3 — Harden a PC that stays on Windows 10
If you must stay on Windows 10 for now, reduce the risks:
- Keep an up-to-date browser and an active antivirus (Windows Security keeps working for a while).
- Turn on regular backups of your important files.
- Be extra careful with emails, attachments, and downloads.
- Where possible, avoid sensitive tasks (online banking) on an unprotected machine.
End of support is not a reason to panic, but it will not fix itself if you ignore it. The real risk is deciding nothing at all.
Option 4 — Replace the machine (or consider Linux)
If your PC is more than 8 to 10 years old and not compatible with Windows 11, a new computer may be the most reasonable choice in the long run. In that case, plan to transfer your data cleanly. For light office and web use, a friendly Linux distribution can also add years of life to an old PC, though it takes some getting used to.
How to decide in 30 seconds
To find your bearings without getting lost in the detail:
- PC compatible with Windows 11? Take the free upgrade: it is the default choice.
- PC recent but not eligible? Extend temporarily with ESU while you weigh things up.
- PC old and sluggish day to day? A new computer or a move to Linux will last longer.
- In every case, back up first and keep an up-to-date browser in the meantime.
Beware of fake solutions
End of support attracts scams: fake "Microsoft" emails pressing you to pay for an update, sites offering cut-price Windows 11 keys, or miracle software claiming to "extend" Windows 10. Always go through official channels — Windows Settings and Microsoft's website — and be suspicious of any offer that arrives by email or phone. A legitimate upgrade is never demanded of you in a rush.
Above all: back up
Whichever option you choose, start with a full backup of your documents, photos, and passwords. A migration or reinstall always goes more smoothly when your data is safe on an external drive or in the cloud. Make sure, too, that you know the credentials for your online accounts and your email: that is often where the nasty surprises hide when the time comes to switch machines.
The shortcut: let Yuna7 do it
Checking Windows 11 compatibility, upgrading without losing your data, setting up a backup, and hardening security is a lot of technical decisions. You simply say "my PC is still on Windows 10": Yuna7 analyses your hardware, points you to the most suitable option, prepares the backup, runs the upgrade, and verifies everything works — asking for your approval at every sensitive step.
