The Looming End of Windows 10 Support and the Future of pcs
The official end of support for Windows 10 is rapidly approaching, raising concerns among security experts and driving a surge in the PC market. Microsoft will cease support on October 14th, 2025, leaving systems vulnerable too emerging threats without continued security updates.
Security professionals warn that continuing to use Windows 10 beyond this date poses important risks. Charaka Goonatilake, CTO at Panaseer, likened it to “leaving an open front door in a hazardous neighborhood,” highlighting the potential for permanent exposure to newly discovered vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals are anticipated to actively target unsupported systems with malware, phishing attacks, and ransomware.Beyond security,compatibility issues with newer software and hardware are also expected to increase.
Microsoft offers a temporary solution through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, providing critical security patches for Windows 10 for one year, until October 2026. The program is available for purchase,costing $30 for private users,but also offers free access under specific conditions. Users can obtain the ESU updates for free by linking their PC settings to a Microsoft account and utilizing Windows Backup with OneDrive, or by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. Notably, citizens of the European Union are eligible for the ESU program without the requirement of using Microsoft cloud services. It’s important to note that the ESU program is a limited-term solution, offering security updates only and excluding new features or technical support.
The impending end of support is already impacting the PC market. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), global PC sales increased by 9.4 percent to 75.8 million devices in the third quarter of 2025. Analysts attribute this growth directly to the approaching deadline, labeling it an ”immediate catalyst.”
However,many users are hesitant to upgrade,citing cost concerns or hardware incompatibility.This reluctance could lead to a substantial increase in electronic waste. Canalys estimates that up to 240 million PCs could become obsolete as their resale value diminishes without ongoing operating system support.
Looking ahead, the industry is shifting towards AI-powered PCs. Gartner predicts that AI PCs will achieve a 31 percent market share by the end of 2025, and become standard by 2029. This technological advancement is expected to further accelerate the transition away from older operating systems like Windows 10.
As millions of users navigate these challenges – balancing security risks, upgrade costs, and environmental impact - the era of Windows 10 is drawing to a close, marking a significant shift in the landscape of personal computing.
