Your computer may still work, but its support status has changed

Support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. This does not mean computers suddenly stopped turning on; the system may continue to work. What changed is that free security fixes, feature updates, and technical support for the operating system are no longer provided under standard support. Continuing to use an internet-connected computer that handles email or stores personal files without accounting for this change creates a risk that grows over time.

Buying a new computer in a panic is not the only option. To make the right decision, consider the device’s Windows 11 compatibility, intended use, essential applications, need for security updates, and your budget together. Your goal is not to “make the old computer safe forever,” but to create a dated, verifiable plan for moving to a supported setup.

Start by taking inventory of the device and system

Go to Settings > System > About and note the processor, RAM, system type, and Windows version. Use Windows Update to check whether you are running Windows 10 version 22H2—the final version—and have installed the latest available updates. Then use Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool or the eligibility notice in Windows Update to determine the device’s official Windows 11 upgrade status.

Do not look only at processor speed. Windows 11 has several requirements, including a supported processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, sufficient storage, and compatible firmware. If TPM or Secure Boot appears to be disabled, do not immediately conclude that the device is incompatible; the feature may be present in the hardware but disabled in the UEFI settings. However, bypassing the requirements with random registry tricks found online is not the same as completing an officially supported, reliable migration. Check the manufacturer’s model page and BIOS updates, and secure your recovery keys and backup before changing any firmware settings.

Compare the three main migration paths

The first option is to officially upgrade the existing computer to Windows 11. For compatible devices, this is generally the least expensive choice. Before upgrading, confirm Windows 11 support for your printer, scanner, accounting software, VPN client, and specialized hardware drivers. Create at least two separate backups, and make sure one is stored on media that is not permanently connected to the computer.

The second option is to enroll in the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates program, or ESU. ESU is a limited bridge that provides additional time for migration; it does not provide new features, general technical support, or assurances for every third-party application. Microsoft’s consumer program may require a specific edition of Windows 10 22H2, current patches, and a Microsoft account with administrator privileges. Consumer ESU may not be available for commercially managed, domain-joined computers or devices enrolled in mobile device management. Because enrollment options and end dates may vary by country or as the program is updated, read the terms shown in Microsoft’s own interface before making a purchase.

The third option is to replace the device or move to a different operating system that is still supported. When choosing a new computer, consider not only current performance but also repairability, RAM and storage capacity, ports, and the manufacturer’s update history. If you are considering an alternative operating system, use a live USB or a separate test device to verify that your critical applications and peripherals actually work. Changing operating systems requires data backups, time to learn the new system, and application compatibility.

Understand the limits before enrolling in ESU

For the “Enroll now” option to appear in Windows Update, the device may need to be running an eligible version, be fully updated, and be signed in with the correct account. If the option is missing, do not download an “ESU activator” from a third-party website. First install pending updates, restart the computer, confirm the version, and review the official eligibility requirements.

Having ESU does not automatically make your browser, PDF reader, office suite, and other programs supported. Check the lifecycle of every critical application separately. Microsoft may publish a security-update schedule for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 that differs from the operating system’s schedule; this distinction does not mean Windows 10 as a whole is supported again. Perpetual releases such as Office 2021 also have their own support end dates.

Prepare your data and accounts for migration

Create an inventory of documents, photos, browser bookmarks, email archives, license keys, and application settings. Seeing a cloud-sync icon does not prove that you have a complete backup. Test restoration by opening a few randomly selected files on another device. If you use BitLocker or device encryption, make sure the recovery key is accessible and belongs to the correct account.

Do not forget your password manager, passkeys, and two-step verification recovery codes. Make sure the old computer is not your only remaining verification method for signing in to your account on the new device. Download or record printer drivers and the license-transfer rules for paid applications in advance.

Make a decision with firm dates

Divide your plan into four dates: inventory and backup this week; compatibility testing within two weeks; ESU enrollment, an upgrade, or a device order on a specific date; and secure erasure of the old device after migration. If you use ESU, put the final migration date on your calendar without waiting for the program to end. Using an unsupported computer only offline may reduce the risk, but threats from USB drives, the local network, and subsequently installed software do not disappear entirely.

If you plan to sell, donate, or recycle the old device, first confirm that your data opens on the new system. Sign out of your accounts, deactivate licenses, and use the manufacturer’s secure reset method. This turns the end of support into a controlled technology-renewal process rather than pressure to make an unplanned purchase.

Research sources: https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows/Deployment/Updates-Lifecycle/windows-10-support-has-ended-on-october-14-2025 https://support.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows/windows-10-programme-esu-consumer-extended-security-mises-%C3%A0-jour-33e17de9-36b3-43bb-874d-6c53d2e4bf42 https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows/privacy/change-privacy-settings-in-windows<figure class="article-inline-image"><img src="/api/media/019ffc1c-e0fb-74dc-9265-500db83c85ae?v=8830" alt="User checking a desktop computer’s hardware compatibility" width="1200" height="675" loading="lazy"></figure><figure class="article-inline-image"><img src="/api/media/019ffc1c-e15e-7673-ad28-435575d6b60d?v=8594" alt="Person securely transferring files from an old computer to a new device" width="1200" height="675" loading="lazy"></figure>