More than seven years since its launch on July 29, and Windows 10 is finally approaching the end of its supported lifespan. According to Microsoft, users of Windows 10 can expect the official drop of updates and technical support in October of 2025. While Windows 10 will still function after this point, users must take greater care to protect themselves, or see if they can update their machine to Windows 11.
“Windows 10 Devices” (CC BY 2.0) by DobaKung
What Stays the Same?
In practical terms, practically every use you have for Windows won’t change after update support is removed. For example, if you enjoy browsing and interactive entertainment like Slingo bingo games, you’ll still be able to play as you can today. So, titles like Capital Gains and Constitution Hill will still be secure and safe, and they’ll still run just as well on PC as on tablets and smartphones. This will be the case for every use and piece of software that doesn’t specifically require Windows 11.
The Big Difference
The only real change that users will experience is the slow but steadily increasing potential for security risks that appear once Windows security updates stop being patched in, and when tech support stops. You might never suffer an attack after this point, or you could get unlucky within a few months. This is a total gamble, so it’s best to be proactive.
Keeping Your Computer Safe
The easier way you can try to keep your computer safe is to look for an upgrade directly to Windows 11. There is a problem here, however, in that some of the Windows 11 minimum requirements might not fit all devices. This can be an issue with system firmware and TPM on some systems, that could require hardware changes to fix in some instances.
If you can’t go the upgrade route, then an alternative solution is to be more diligent about security practices. Windows Defender is a powerful security tool running in the background of Windows 10, but once it stops seeing updates, more of the work will be up to you.
To this end, it might be a good idea to download some free malware scanning tools like those from Malwarebytes and keep them running regular scans. These will keep being updated for the foreseeable future, so they’ll be able to plug the gaps that Windows 10 leaves.
You’ll also need to be more diligent about what you download, and where you access the internet. We’ve talked about Wi-Fi without an internet provider here at Know World Now before, and these forms of access will become riskier without updated Windows firewalls in place. Connect only to places you know are safe; never open a .exe file you’re unsure about, and be careful not to install any optional programs that piggyback on the apps you use.
“Windows Update” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Christiaan Colen
Being stuck without security support isn’t great for users, but it’s a natural part of the Windows lifecycle. At least there are free and legal upgrade options for compatible devices that can be found with Google searches, which can help alleviate the issue. If you do find yourself stuck on Windows 10, remember to be more careful when October of 2025 rolls around, until you can finally find a replacement device.
