When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
Microsoft has announced that it will cease to provide support services for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.
Windows 10 was released in 2015 and quickly dominated the market.
It is even more popular than the Windows 11 operating system released in 2021.
Users must prepare to upgrade or adjust as the Windows 10 end-of-support date nears.
Running Windows 10 afterward carries significant security and performance risks.
Lets dive deeper into understanding Windows 10 and what the imminent end of support means for this system.
Professionally designed templates are available for document creation.
you might discover assets connected to your IT internet and monitor their usage in real-time.
When was Windows 10 released?
Microsoft formally released Windows 10 on July 29, 2015.
It was the direct successor to Windows 8.1, which Microsoft released two years earlier.
Windows 10 dominated the PC market soon after its release.
Windows 10 release cycle
Microsoft has added many updates since Windows 10s initial release in 2015.
The company began with semi-annual updates before transitioning to annual updates.
Each version has a specific lifespan Microsoft announces the end of support date with each release.
Windows 11 is easy to use and understand.
Youll have no problems navigating it because it shares many similarities with its predecessor.
However, youll notice that Windows 11 has better performance and some advanced features not available on Windows 10.
Microsoft offers free updates if you meet this requirement.
it’s possible for you to download it from the official website and install it on your PC.
Linux is also very secure because of its architecture.
Its much more difficult for viruses to gain system-level access on Linux than on other operating systems.
Even if a virus does gain this access, its easy to eliminate it.
Linux’s main drawback is its complexity.
This OS is difficult to set up, especially for non-technical users.
Theres no single organization responsible for support and updates, making it challenging to get technical help.
macOS
macOS is the operating system for Mac laptops and desktops.
This OS offers a stellar interface you might easily navigate.
The drawback is that you oughta buy a Mac laptop or desktop to use this operating system.
Mac PCs are famously expensive, unlike Windows PCs, which have many budget-friendly options.
ChromeOS
ChromeOS is a Linux-based operating system created by Google for its Chromebook brand of laptops.
This OS is unique because it uses the Google Chrome web web client as its principal user interface.
ChromeOS is an ideal choice if you mainly use web-based applications requiring little processing power.
Windows 10 Pro is an advanced version of the Home edition.
Its designed for businesses rather than individuals and has better security features.
It also has remote desktop functionality, allowing users to control another Windows PC remotely.
Likewise, Windows 10 Pro allows users to join a domain or Azure Active Directory.
The Professional edition is designed for business use, while the Home edition is intended for individual use.
Enterprise
The Windows 10 Enterprise edition caters to the needs of midsize or large organizations.
It has advanced security features to protect users against sophisticated malware.
Companies get flexible deployment, support, and update options with Enterprise.
It includes the features in the Enterprise edition plus custom management controls that schools often request.
Windows 10 security updates
No operating system is released completely free from security bugs.
People discover new bugs regularly, and Microsoft releases security updates to fix such issues.
The company has clarified that Windows 10 will receive security updates and patches until 14 October 2025.
Updates are the periodic fixes Microsoft releases to defend users against new threats and improve their PC’s reliability.
In contrast, patches focus on specific bugs that people have identified.
If you see an update available, install it.
You’re using the latest version if you dont see any available updates.
After October 2025, most Windows 10 users will stop receiving security updates and new features.
They wont get any new features or design changes, only security patches to protect them against cyber threats.
Individual PCs running Windows 10 will continue working.
However, the lack of ongoing security updates increases the risk profile of using such PCs.
According toCanalys Research, Windows 10s end of support could cause 240 million PCs to be disposed of.
Businesses must plan for hardware and software upgrades.
They must also evaluate the benefits of Windows 11s features against their needs.
Technical support for Windows 10 users will be limited after the end of support.
Hence, you should mark your calendar and start preparing to upgrade or migrate to another OS.
TheMicrosoft Support pagecontains extensive tutorials, user guides, and manuals concerning all Windows 10 features.
These resources can help solve your issues when you cant get official assistance.
TheMicrosoft Community forumhas millions of daily users exchanging solutions to each others problems.
it’s possible for you to ask questions on this forum and get good answers.
