End of Windows 10 support: Complete guide to deciding your next step

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The end of Windows 10 support is closer than it seems, and it's normal for questions to arise about dates, risks, and real options for staying protected. In this article, you'll find Everything you need to know to make a decision with peace of mind: the official schedule, what it means to stop receiving patches, ways to access additional updates, and what options you have if your computer can't upgrade to Windows 11.

Not all situations are the same: in Europe and the United States there are different ways to get an extra year of patches, and companies have specific programs and functions of a technical support manager. Also, if you are considering renewing equipment or extending the life of the current one, There are practical recommendations on memory, storage, and exchange/recycling programs with which you can save and reduce waste.

Key dates for the end of Windows 10 support

Windows 10 has been receiving major updates for years, but its cycle ends with two milestones. The first affected the penultimate version, and the second marks the definitive end of the system. It is convenient to have both dates clear to plan.

• June 11th, 2024: End of support for Windows 10 21H2. If you're still on that branch, it was recommended to update to 22H2 whenever possible to maintain security patches.
• 14th October 2025: End of support for Windows 10 22H2 (the latest version) and therefore public end of life for Windows 10. From that day on, there will be no free security updates.

These deadlines affect all home and business users. Once the deadline has passed, the operating system It will not stop starting, but it will be more exposed to vulnerabilities that will no longer be fixed with free patches.

What end of support really means

When a Microsoft product reaches the end of support, the company stops sending improvements and fixes. In Windows 10, this means There will be no new features or security updates, even if a serious breach is discovered after the end date.

Today, Windows 10 no longer receives updates, but it does receive monthly patches. Without support, future bugs and vulnerabilities will remain unfixed. This may increase the risk of attacks, including UEFI bootkits, especially if you connect your computer to the Internet, install new software, or handle sensitive information.

Over time you will also notice that certain apps and new peripherals will no longer be compatibleDevelopers prioritize versions of Windows with current support, so some applications will be dropping support for Windows 10 in their latest releases.

Important: Although Windows 10 continues to work, in environments that require high security (business, education, administration) Maintaining an unpatched system is not a prudent option and it is convenient to have remote technical supportIn the domestic sphere, exposure is also growing, and it is worth considering the alternatives we review below.

Official options to continue receiving patches in Windows 10

Microsoft has opened ways to extend the receipt of security updates in Windows 10 for a limited time. These options vary by region and user type (domestic or business).

An additional year free in Europe

Users in the European Economic Area have an advantage: after signing in with their Microsoft account on the computer, can access an extra year of free security updates for Windows 10. This extension comes after pressure from various European consumer organizations that demanded that millions of users not be left unprotected.

Among these initiatives, the request of the French association Halte à l'Obsolescence Programmée stands out, which requested free patches until 2030, and the German Consumer Federation's warning about the impact on purchasing freedom. Euroconsumers also issued a statement confirming the company's approval of the additional free year in Europe.

United States: Two free paths and choice via Windows Update

In the United States, Microsoft offers two options for opting for an additional year at no cost: back up to the cloud using the Windows Backup app or redeem 1.000 Microsoft Rewards points. Selected users within the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will see a prompt in Windows Update and can choose their preferred option.

This approach aims to keep a portion of the Windows 10 user base covered while promoting the transition to Windows 11, balancing security and adoption of the most recent system.

The payment method: ESU for individuals and businesses

In addition to the free options, there is the option to pay for extended security updates. For home users, The public reference is $30 for one year Additional patching. For organizations, the ESU program allows for up to three years, with a pricing structure that increases year-over-year.

A relevant detail: in Windows 10, For the first time, ESU is also offered to private users.Until now, these extensions were aimed almost exclusively at business environments. However, this is a temporary solution: the extension doesn't extend indefinitely, so migration to a supported system will eventually be necessary.

Buying a Windows 11 PC: Partners, Recycling, and Trade-In

If you decide to renew your equipment, the Windows ecosystem has multi-partner exchange and recycling programs, both manufacturers and large retailers, to facilitate the transition to a Windows 11 PC and give your device a second life.

OEMs include Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung, while global distributors include Best Buy, Boulanger, Costco, Currys, Elkjøp, Fnac, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, MediaMarkt & SATURN, Officeworks, Sharaf DG, and Walmart. Many of these brands and chains offer plans to trade in your old equipment. and receive a discount or financial compensation when purchasing a new one.

Additionally, the Microsoft Exchange Program allows Recycle your PC safely and responsibly and get money back If the device is eligible, you can find out the value of your used equipment through official channels and ensure that the return and recycling process follows appropriate environmental criteria.

As a general note when talking about purchases, remember that prices can vary over time and that, in some cases, Certain commercial links may generate a commissionIf you're going for a new PC, also consider whether it has dedicated AI capabilities (NPUs), considering potential obsolescence in 3–5 years.

Upgrade or speed up your current hardware: requirements and recommended improvements

If your computer is relatively modern, it may meet the requirements for Windows 11. The most determining point is the TPM 2.0 and processor typeMany computers have a TPM but it's disabled, so it's a good idea to check the UEFI/BIOS and enable it if available.

For computers that don't meet any of the requirements, there's a setting to allow the upgrade at your own risk. Microsoft provides a registry key that enables upgrades in unsupported cases. If you decide to go this route, make backups and understand the risks. (your device may not receive full support or some features):

reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup /f /v AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMorCPU /d 1 /t reg_dword

Of course, there are limits: certain processors lack instructions needed for Windows 11 And there's no shortcut to fix it. In those cases, you'll have to stay with Windows 10 (with the ESU options) or consider other alternatives.

If you prefer to invest in specific improvements, manufacturers like Kingston recommend Increase memory and opt for fast SSDs To give the machine a bit of breathing room. For reference, more than 16GB of RAM improves everyday multitasking, and 32GB is desirable in scenarios where you plan to integrate tasks with local AI in the medium term.

In storage, Windows 11 requires at least 64 GB for the system, but ideally you should have A large and fast SSD that can handle intensive loadsThis way, you can delay purchasing a new PC until the market matures and AI models offer a better value.

Alternatives beyond Microsoft: 0patch, LTSC and other avenues

There are third-party solutions that promise extend the security of Windows 10 beyond the official deadline. One of the most talked-about is 0patch, which commits to providing micropatches for vulnerabilities until 2030. It's an interesting option for specific environments, always considering its coverage and trust model.

Another possibility is to consider Windows 10 LTSC, the branch of Long-Term Support Aimed at critical or industrial devices. However, its license and terms are not designed for general home users, and you should carefully review whether this is appropriate for your situation.

For those who do not want to continue on Windows, a Linux distribution can be a valid solution, especially on computers that do not meet the requirements for Windows 11. Still, if your priority is to keep Windows applications and workflows, ESU and Windows 11 migration paths are often more straightforward.

Meanwhile, specialized media outlets point out that Microsoft is projecting what computers will be like in 2030 and the importance of interaction beyond touch. There are also informative pieces about the evolution of Windows from its beginnings to today, in case you fancy a historical review while planning your next step.

Can I continue using Windows 10 after the end of support?

Yes. When the date arrives, your Windows 10 PC will will continue to work; it won't be blocked or rendered unusable. The difference is that you won't receive any more free security patches. This means that, over time, the risk of attacks will increase, and some apps will no longer be updated for that version of Windows.

If your financial situation is tight and you can't upgrade your computer or system, seriously consider free or low-cost options to keep patches for at least an extra year (depending on your region). Doing nothing means accepting increasing risks, especially if you handle sensitive data or work online daily.

In the business world, the option of doing nothing not recommended For compliance and security reasons, opt for ESU, planned migration, and/or gradual fleet renewal based on total cost of ownership criteria.

Affected devices and ranges

The end of support impacts all PCs running Windows 10, regardless of the manufacturer. To give you an idea of ​​the scope, Dell's environment includes families such as Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, as well as fixed and mobile workstations. This diversity reflects the fact that we are talking about millions of consumer and professional devices worldwide.

If you own one of these devices, the recommendations in this article apply equally: review ESU options, consider migrating to Windows 11 if feasible, or consider hardware upgrades and trade-in/recycling plans. The brand or range does not change the need to plan.

Upgrade to Windows 11 without paying an extra license

If your PC meets the requirements, upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free with your valid licenseThe installer will recognize the activation, and you won't need to purchase a new key. Make sure TPM 2.0 is enabled in the UEFI/BIOS and that your CPU is on the supported list.

On computers with TPM disabled, simply go into the firmware settings and enable it (sometimes it appears as fTPM or PTT depending on the manufacturer). If you still don't meet any requirements, one possible way is to use the registry key to allow unsupported upgrades, always understanding that You may lose certain support guarantees:

reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup /f /v AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMorCPU /d 1 /t reg_dword

If you don't have an official license, you can consider the Windows Insider Program to download previous builds (beta or Release Preview). In this case, it's worth keeping in mind that: in exchange for testing early versions, you may encounter errors and frequent changes.

Buy wisely: AI yes or no, and how to stretch your budget

If you're considering a new PC, the "AI PC" dilemma is real. Models with NPUs often have higher price and compatibility concerns initial, while one without an NPU could fall short in 3–5 years if local AI functions become popular. Consider your use case and time horizon.

In any case, for an orderly and sustainable transition, support your decision on the OEM and retailer trade-in and recycling programs cited: Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and chains such as Best Buy, Boulanger, Costco, Currys, Elkjøp, Fnac, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, MediaMarkt & SATURN, Officeworks, Sharaf DG and Walmart.

And remember, as the AI ​​PC offering matures, you can upgrade your current machine with more RAM and SSDs to extend its usefulness. Go from 8 to 16 or 32 GB It makes a big difference if you work with a lot of tabs, basic video editing, or AI-assisted tools.

As a background trend, various analysts point to a decade with new ways of interacting beyond touch (voice, gestures, contextual AI). Whatever your immediate decision, It is advisable not to rush and align the purchase and real needs. of the next few years.

Windows 10 will enter its final stretch with options for those who need extra time (free in Europe or under certain conditions in the US, and paid via ESU). If you have a compatible PC, the jump to Windows 11 is direct and without a license fee; if not, There are hardware upgrades, exchange programs, and alternative avenues. that allow you to move forward without compromising your safety.