Overview

• Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program keeps critical patches flowing through October 13, 2026, with enrollment via free OneDrive backup, 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a $30 purchase covering up to 10 devices.
• A new Windows Update toggle directs users to Microsoft Store trade-in and recycling options, dovetailing with marketing that spotlights Copilot+ and ARM-based PCs for those replacing older hardware.
• Consumer Reports sent a letter to Satya Nadella urging free Windows 10 security updates, joining PIRG and European advocacy groups that argue forced upgrades burden consumers and accelerate e-waste.
• Estimates point to a vast installed base still on Windows 10, with Consumer Reports counting about 650 million users and PIRG estimating up to 400 million PCs that cannot meet Windows 11 requirements.
• Security experts warn unpatched systems face elevated cyber risk and note antivirus is only a stopgap, with analysts adding that app compatibility may degrade over time on an unsupported OS.