Windows 10 Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary with Only 10 Weeks of Support Left

Windows 10 has reached its milestone of ten years since its launch on July 29, 2015. With less than ten weeks of support remaining, users face a critical choice. Although extended support is available through various options—including linking a Microsoft account, redeeming 1, 000 Microsoft Rewards points, or paying a fee of $30—those who do not opt for this will experience the end of official support on October 14, 2025.

It’s remarkable to reflect on how long Windows 10 has been a part of our computing lives. For many, including myself, it marked a significant transition from academia to the professional world. Users welcomed the return of a traditional start menu after the controversial tiled interface of Windows 8. Windows 10 rid itself of several frustrating issues, making it a preferred choice for countless individuals.

The Impending End of Windows 10

As we approach the end-of-life (EOL) date for Windows 10, it’s essential to understand what this means for users:

Your device will no longer receive updates, which includes security patches and new features.
Over time, applications may become incompatible with Windows 10, leading to potential malfunctions or failures.
Technical support from Microsoft will not be available for issues encountered on your PC.

Fortunately, there is an opportunity to extend the end-of-life support. By enrolling in the Extended Security Update (ESU) program for a one-time fee of $30, users can receive an additional year of security updates until October 13, 2026.

Alternatively, syncing your settings with Microsoft’s cloud service or using 1, 000 Microsoft Rewards points are viable ways to extend your support period without additional cost.

For enterprise users, Microsoft has also outlined a separate extension option priced at $61 per PC. This ESU program for enterprises spans three years, although the exact pricing for this service isn’t detailed on Microsoft’s official page.

If your Windows machine operates on Microsoft 365 or utilizes a virtualized environment, you will automatically receive these benefits and won’t need to purchase the ESU.

Why Transition to Windows 11?

Windows 11 represents a significant evolution from Windows 10, marking an unavoidable advancement for users. While Windows 10 served as a substantial upgrade over Windows 8.1, it is now poised to be phased out. This transition is fairly typical—operating systems naturally evolve, and Microsoft has high expectations for users to adopt its latest version.

The new features in Windows 11, such as Snap Layouts, enhanced Phone Link functionality, and revamped Start Menu and File Explorer, truly elevate user experience. However, the difficulty lies not just in upgrading the OS but often in upgrading the physical hardware itself.

Recognizing this challenge, Microsoft is promoting Copilot+ PCs, which come equipped with advanced AI capabilities. This development coincides with a greater push towards more powerful computing solutions, making the launch of Windows 11 an opportune moment for both software and hardware manufacturers.

Unfortunately, Windows 11’s stringent hardware requirements can be a hurdle for many. The demands for Secure Boot and TPM (Trusted Platform Module 2.0) can disqualify users who possess otherwise capable systems. Secure Boot is generally manageable, but TPM 2.0 has proven to be a stricter barrier since many devices cannot simply integrate a physical TPM chip to meet this requirement.

Security enhancements in Windows 11 rely heavily on TPM and Secure Boot, and circumventing these requirements significantly undermines the potential security benefits of the operating system.

Consequently, many Windows 10 users find themselves at a crossroads: upgrade their device to meet Windows 11’s requirements, continue using Windows 10 until application support wanes, or explore alternative operating systems, such as Linux, to prolong the life of their current hardware.

Source&Images