4 Minutes
Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10, a milestone that marks the close of a decade for one of the most popular PC operating systems — yet millions of users aren’t ready to leave it behind.
Why this matters: a platform that refused to fade
Released on July 29, 2015, Windows 10 became a staple for businesses, gamers and everyday users by fixing many of the missteps of previous releases. Today, Microsoft will no longer deliver regular security patches, feature updates, or technical support through Windows Update. That doesn’t mean every device becomes immediately vulnerable, but it does change the risk profile for users who stay put.
Who’s still on Windows 10?
Even as Windows 11 adoption climbs, statistics show Windows 10 remains widespread. Roughly 40% of Windows users still run Windows 10, and about 30% of PC gamers continue to use it — numbers similar to what Windows 7 had when its support ended. For many, the decision isn’t preference so much as practicality: hardware bought during the Windows 10 era may not meet Windows 11’s stricter requirements.
Microsoft kept a door open — but with a price
In an unexpected move, Microsoft offered Extended Security Updates (ESU) to home users for a limited time, a program that was previously aimed at businesses. Home users can pay for an extra year of security fixes — effectively a temporary lifeline for people who can’t or won’t upgrade their hardware right now.
- Why pay? To keep receiving critical security patches beyond end-of-support.
- Who benefits? Users with older machines, small businesses delaying upgrades, or anyone unwilling to move to Windows 11 today.
Hardware rules that reshaped an ecosystem
One of the major factors pushing people to stay with Windows 10 are the hardware requirements Microsoft set for Windows 11: supported 8th-gen (or newer) Intel CPUs, AMD Zen 2 (or newer) processors, and a TPM module. Those requirements left millions of otherwise perfectly usable PCs without an official upgrade path, driving many to keep using Windows 10 until they replace their hardware.
For users weighing options, the math is simple: buy a new PC, retrofit hardware where possible, or accept the security trade-offs and stay on Windows 10 until the device reaches end-of-life.
AI, Copilot and the future of Windows
Microsoft’s roadmap now centers on Windows 11 and AI-driven features like Copilot, Recall and Copilot+ devices. These additions aim to reframe the OS as a productivity and AI platform, but they’ve also sparked debate: are these features essential, or just another layer of marketing? Privacy and usability concerns — especially around tools that capture activity or push voice interaction — have left some users skeptical.
There’s also a sense that Microsoft learned from Windows 10: when the company listened to feedback and focused on core user needs, the result could be a widely loved release. Many users are watching closely to see whether future versions will balance innovation with those fundamentals.
What users can do now
- Evaluate risk: devices without security updates are more exposed to threats over time.
- Consider ESU: short-term protection if upgrading isn’t an option this year.
- Plan upgrades: if you need Windows 11 features, check hardware compatibility and upgrade timelines.
- Explore alternatives: some businesses are switching to managed environments or virtual desktops as interim solutions.
Windows 10’s end-of-support is a pivotal moment, but not the immediate end of the road for many users. Whether Microsoft’s next major version will win back skeptics depends on balancing technical progress with practical compatibility and respect for user choice.
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