By Adam Smart, Ecokeys Support Engineer — Last updated 25 August 2026

When Did Windows 10 Support End?

Microsoft ended normal support for the standard Windows 10 platform on 14 October 2025.

For a normal Windows 10 installation that is not covered by an applicable Extended Security Updates programme, Microsoft no longer provides:

• normal Windows 10 security updates and fixes;
• new Windows 10 feature updates;
• general Windows 10 software servicing; or
• standard technical support for Windows 10.

You can also read Microsoft's official Windows 10 end-of-support guidance.

Does Windows 10 Still Work After End of Support?

Yes. Windows 10 did not deactivate or stop starting on 14 October 2025.

A Windows 10 computer may continue to:

• start normally;
• run installed applications;
• access files;
• connect to the internet;
• use compatible printers and peripherals; and
• perform many of the same tasks it performed before support ended.

The important difference is that an unsupported Windows installation is no longer receiving the normal operating-system security servicing it previously received.

What Are Windows 10 Extended Security Updates?

Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme provides a temporary way for eligible Windows 10 computers to continue receiving certain security updates after normal support has ended.

ESU primarily covers critical and important security updates. It does not restore Windows 10 to its previous fully supported status.

ESU does not normally provide:

• new Windows 10 features;
• general product improvements;
• non-security feature development;
• normal Windows 10 technical support; or
• a permanent extension of the Windows 10 lifecycle.

Windows 10 Consumer ESU

For eligible personal computers running Windows 10 version 22H2, Microsoft's Consumer ESU programme can provide additional security-update coverage for one year after normal support ended.

The consumer ESU period runs until 13 October 2026.

Eligibility and enrolment should be checked through Microsoft's current Windows Update and ESU guidance rather than relying on old pricing or enrolment instructions, as Microsoft's available enrolment options can change.

What happens when Consumer ESU ends?

Once the Consumer ESU period ends on 13 October 2026, a normal personal Windows 10 device will no longer receive those extended Windows 10 security updates through that consumer programme.

Consumer ESU should therefore be viewed as extra time to complete the move away from Windows 10, rather than a reason to keep an ageing system indefinitely.

Windows 10 End of Support for Businesses

Businesses can face a more complicated migration because they may have multiple computers, specialist software, managed networks, older peripherals or applications that cannot immediately move to Windows 11.

Microsoft provides a separate commercial ESU programme for organisations that require additional time.

Commercial Windows 10 ESU can provide critical and important security updates through annual coverage for up to three years after Windows 10's normal end of support:

Businesses should check more than Windows compatibility

Before moving business PCs to Windows 11, check:

• specialist applications;
• accounting and database software;
• printer and scanner drivers;
• industry-specific hardware;
• VPN and remote-access software;
• security software;
• network authentication requirements; and
• any centrally managed device policies.

What about compliance?

Businesses handling customer, employee or regulated data should review whether continuing to operate an unsupported operating system affects their own security policies, contractual requirements, cyber-insurance conditions or regulatory obligations.

There is no single rule that means every organisation using Windows 10 automatically becomes non-compliant after a particular date. The position depends on the organisation, the data being handled, the controls in place and the regulations or contracts that apply.

What Does Windows 10 End of Support Mean for Microsoft Office?

This is especially important because the Windows lifecycle and the Office lifecycle are not the same thing.

Microsoft 365 Apps

Microsoft 365 Apps are no longer formally supported on Windows 10 now that Windows 10 itself has reached end of support.

The applications may continue to work, and Microsoft has said it will continue providing Microsoft 365 security updates on Windows 10 until 10 October 2028 to help customers during the transition.

That does not mean Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 has returned to a fully supported configuration. Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11 to avoid increasing reliability and compatibility problems over time.

Office 2021 and Office 2024

Perpetual versions such as Office 2021 and Office 2024 have their own product-support lifecycles.

Microsoft currently lists Office 2021 and Office 2024 as supported on Windows 10 with exceptions while the Office product itself remains within its support lifecycle.

The important exception is that if a problem is caused by or related to the unsupported Windows 10 operating system rather than Office itself, Microsoft may not support that problem.

Microsoft's current explanation is available in its Windows end-of-support guidance for Office and Microsoft 365.

Is It Safe to Keep Using Windows 10?

The risk increases the longer an unsupported operating system remains in use without applicable Extended Security Updates.

New vulnerabilities continue to be discovered in operating systems, applications and hardware. When a normal Windows 10 installation is no longer receiving Microsoft's security fixes, newly discovered Windows vulnerabilities may remain unpatched on that PC.

The risk is greater on computers that:

• regularly access the internet;
• receive email attachments;
• download files;
• store sensitive information;
• are used for online banking or business activity;
• connect to other computers on a network; or
• are relied upon for customer or company data.

Antivirus software remains useful, but it is not a replacement for operating-system security updates.

Can Your Windows 10 PC Upgrade to Windows 11?

Many Windows 10 computers can move to Windows 11, but Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10.

A supported Windows 11 installation requires, among other things:

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip
• Memory: at least 4 GB RAM
• Storage: at least 64 GB
• Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot capability
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0
• Graphics: DirectX 12 compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver
• Display: 720p display larger than 9 inches diagonally

The processor must also be supported by Microsoft. A processor being faster than 1 GHz does not by itself make the computer eligible.

Is the Windows 11 upgrade still free?

Microsoft continues to provide the Windows 11 upgrade without an additional Windows charge for eligible Windows 10 PCs that meet the Windows 11 requirements.

Windows Update can indicate whether an eligible computer has been offered the upgrade.

What If Your Windows 10 PC Cannot Run Windows 11?

Do not assume immediately that the computer must be replaced.

First identify why it failed the Windows 11 compatibility check.

TPM 2.0 may simply be disabled

Many compatible PCs contain firmware TPM support that is disabled in UEFI settings. Depending on the hardware, this may appear as Intel PTT, AMD fTPM or another security-device setting.

Secure Boot may be disabled

Some PCs fail the check because Secure Boot is not enabled or because the computer is currently configured to use legacy BIOS mode.

Firmware and boot settings should not be changed without understanding the system configuration and backing up important information first.

The processor may genuinely be unsupported

If the processor or underlying platform is not supported by Windows 11, replacing the computer may be more sensible than attempting to force Windows 11 onto unsupported hardware.

Should You Buy a Windows Licence Just Because Windows 10 Support Ended?

Not necessarily.

If Windows 10 is already correctly activated and the computer qualifies for the normal Windows 11 upgrade, you may not need to purchase another Windows licence simply to move that PC to Windows 11.

Before buying anything, check:

• which Windows edition is installed;
• whether Windows is already activated;
• whether the PC supports Windows 11; and
• whether you actually need Windows 11 Home or Pro.

If you do need a new licence after checking your current activation and Windows 11 compatibility, you can browse our Windows 11 and Windows 10 licences and compare the available editions before purchasing.

What Should Windows 10 Users Do Now?

Windows 10 End of Support: Final Verdict

Windows 10 reaching end of support does not mean every Windows 10 computer became unusable overnight. It does mean that remaining on a normal unsupported Windows 10 installation now requires a deliberate decision rather than simply doing nothing.

For a PC that meets the Windows 11 requirements and supports the applications and peripherals you need, moving to Windows 11 is generally the strongest long-term option.

For a computer that genuinely cannot move to Windows 11, Extended Security Updates can provide additional transition time where the device is eligible. That time should be used to plan a supported replacement rather than treating ESU as a permanent solution.

For a broader comparison of the two operating systems, see our Windows 10 vs Windows 11 guide.

Frequently Asked Questions