// trantalk
Windows 10 has reached end of life: what it means for you
Windows 10 no longer receives free security updates, bug fixes or technical support from Microsoft. Your PC will still start and run, but it is no longer being protected against new threats.
What end of life means
- Security patches stop. New weaknesses are never fixed, so malware, ransomware and scams get easier.
- Bug fixes stop. Problems stay problems.
- Support stops. Microsoft will not help with Windows 10 issues.
- Software and hardware makers follow. Over time, new versions of programs and drivers stop supporting Windows 10.
Your options
1. Upgrade to Windows 11
If your PC meets Windows 11's requirements, upgrading is usually the simplest fix. Microsoft's PC Health Check tool shows whether a PC qualifies. Back up first.
2. Replace the PC
Many older PCs can't run Windows 11 officially. If it is more than five or six years old, replacing it is often better value than keeping it going.
3. Pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU)
Microsoft sells Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 as a short-term bridge. For businesses, ESU is a paid, per-device subscription that can be bought for up to three years after end of support, and the price rises each year. Microsoft also runs a separate, shorter consumer programme with its own rules and dates. ESU only covers security fixes, with no new features and no general support, so it buys time rather than fixing the problem. Check Microsoft's current ESU page, or ask us, for the exact terms.
4. Keep going as is (not recommended)
Cybercriminals target unpatched systems. If a Windows 10 PC has to stay for now, keep it off sensitive work, keep your antivirus and backups current, and plan its replacement.
What to do this week
- Make a list of PCs still on Windows 10 (Settings, System, About shows the version).
- Check they have a recent, tested backup.
- Decide for each one: upgrade, replace or ESU.
We can audit your PCs, tell you which can upgrade and handle the rest. Call (07) 4837 1201 or send us a message.
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