Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025. PCs still run, but Microsoft no longer provides ordinary security updates, feature updates or technical assistance for Windows 10. The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned organisations in July 2025 to prepare for that deadline; for users still on Windows 10, the practical choices now are to upgrade an eligible PC, check whether Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) are available for their circumstances, or replace an ineligible device.
What the NCSC warning said—and what has changed
On 14 July 2025, Josh D, a Device Security Researcher at the NCSC, published guidance for organisations preparing for Windows 10’s approaching end of support. The warning was aimed at organisations, not issued as a new consumer alert. It highlighted the risks of continuing to use an unsupported operating system and noted that some older PCs would not meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements.
The NCSC urged organisations to prioritise migration. It wrote: “In summary, we strongly advise any organisation that isn’t already on Windows 11 to prioritise migrating before Windows 10 becomes legacy in October 2025.” That deadline has passed. Microsoft confirms that Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025, so the decision now is how to move from a Windows 10 PC or manage the transition safely.
Will a Windows 10 computer stop working?
No. End of support does not turn off a Windows 10 PC; it can continue to start and run programs. The important change is that Microsoft has ended ordinary security updates, feature updates and technical assistance for Windows 10. Without routine security updates, the computer faces greater exposure to malware and other threats over time. That does not mean every unsupported PC will be attacked, but continued use carries more risk.
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What are the options for a Windows 10 PC?
| Option | When it may fit | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrade the existing PC to Windows 11 | Windows Update or Microsoft’s PC Health Check says the device is eligible. | Use Microsoft’s compatibility check for that specific PC; do not assume eligibility based only on age or brand. |
| Use consumer Extended Security Updates temporarily | You need more time to move on from Windows 10 and meet Microsoft’s current program rules. | Microsoft’s live consumer instructions for your location; current UK enrollment terms, cost and duration are not established here. |
| Replace the PC | The current device is ineligible for Windows 11, or you prefer a new computer. | Choose a PC that supports Windows 11 and weigh the purchase cost against the device’s expected useful life. |
Microsoft describes upgrading an eligible PC, using ESU as a transition measure, and buying a Windows 11-capable PC as possible paths. Replacement is one option—not a requirement for every Windows 10 user.
How to check whether a PC can run Windows 11
- Check Windows Update: on the Windows 10 PC, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check whether Windows 11 is offered for that device.
- Run Microsoft PC Health Check: if you need a compatibility assessment, use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app and follow its result for the PC.
- Review the requirements if the check reports a problem: Microsoft’s Windows 11 requirements include hardware and security features. The NCSC specifically called out TPM 2.0, UEFI and Secure Boot as examples that may make migration difficult on older PCs.
- For a managed computer, ask IT: if an employer or other administrator manages the device, follow that organisation’s upgrade process rather than changing it independently.
Use Microsoft’s Windows 11 system requirements and the compatibility checks to assess an individual device; a PC’s age or manufacturer alone does not establish whether it qualifies.
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Can you still get Windows 10 security updates?
Microsoft’s consumer ESU program may provide a temporary way to continue receiving security updates for an eligible Windows 10 device, subject to Microsoft’s current rules. ESU is a bridge, not a replacement for moving to a supported operating system. The reviewed official guidance does not establish the exact current UK consumer enrollment terms, cost or duration, so check Microsoft’s live Windows 10 end-of-support guidance for the offer and instructions that apply to your location.
What organisations should do with PCs that cannot migrate yet
The NCSC’s 2025 warning was directed at organisations. Its advice was to prioritise migration, with ESU as a temporary measure for devices that could not be upgraded in time. Where a device cannot move immediately, organisations need to plan migration and weigh the risk of continued use of obsolete technology against the cost of replacement or upgrade. The NCSC’s obsolete products guidance addresses that general risk-and-cost tradeoff.
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For an organisation, a single unsupported PC may be part of a larger managed fleet. Migration planning should therefore account for IT administration and organisational needs, rather than treating an employee’s device as an unmanaged consumer upgrade.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose your next step
- If the PC is eligible and suitable for your needs, check the Windows 11 upgrade route first.
- If you need a short transition period, verify whether consumer ESU is available to you and what its current terms require.
- If the PC is ineligible, compare the cost of replacement with the remaining useful life of the device and the risk of continuing to use an unsupported system.
Microsoft’s Windows 10 end-of-support guidance explains the end date and available user paths. Its Windows 11 requirements page covers compatibility.
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