Overview

• Microsoft will stop Windows 10 updates on October 14, 2025, ending security patches and official support.
• The Extended Security Updates program runs through October 13, 2026, with enrollment via OneDrive backup, 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a $30 license that covers up to ten devices.
• Windows 10’s update settings now surface a link to the Microsoft Store Online Trade-in Program, offering trade-in values or recycling for older PCs.
• Consumer Reports counts about 650 million Windows 10 users, and PIRG estimates up to 400 million PCs cannot meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements.
• Security experts caution that unpatched systems will be attractive targets and some apps may stop working reliably, while alternatives like Linux, ChromeOS, or unsupported Windows 11 installs carry trade-offs.