Overview
- Starting October 14, Windows 10 machines continue to operate but stop receiving security patches and bug fixes.
- Microsoft is providing users in the European Economic Area an extra year of no-cost updates under an extended support arrangement.
- Outside the EEA, unpatched systems become more vulnerable to cyberattacks due to the end of security updates.
- The Public Interest Research Group urges Microsoft to extend free updates globally, and consumer groups are pressing U.S. authorities for a one-year reprieve similar to the EU.
- StatCounter reported in July that Windows 11 overtook Windows 10 by installations, yet many PCs do not meet Windows 11 hardware requirements cited by PIRG.