Windows 10 end of life on Oct 14, 2025: what to do now

TL;DR:

Windows 10 stops getting updates on October 14, 2025.
Your PC will keep working, but security fixes end.
Microsoft offers a one-year ESU for Home users, from $0 to $30.
Businesses can buy up to three ESU years, starting at $61 per device.
Best path, if eligible, is a free upgrade to Windows 11.

Windows 10 reaches end of support on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft ends security updates, bug fixes, and free technical help for Windows 10 Home and Pro version 22H2. Your computer will still run, but it will no longer receive new security patches.

Microsoft has confirmed that 22H2 is the final Windows 10 feature update. Monthly security releases continue only through October 14, 2025.

What changes for you

Windows Update will stop delivering new security updates to Windows 10.
Microsoft support will not take Windows 10 incidents.
New vulnerabilities will remain unpatched, raising risk over time.

If you rely on Microsoft 365 apps, note that Microsoft aligned support with this date, with later clarifications for some scenarios. Either way, staying on an unpatched OS increases risk, even if apps keep working. Plan to upgrade.

Your options, ranked by safety

1) Upgrade to Windows 11 if your PC is eligible

Most Windows 10 PCs released in recent years can move to Windows 11 at no cost. Use Windows Update, the Installation Assistant, or installation media. Check system requirements first, like TPM 2.0 and supported CPUs.

Microsoft has promoted this path for months. It remains the most secure choice for home users and small firms.

2) Enroll in Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU)

If you need more time, Microsoft offers ESU to keep receiving critical and important security fixes after October 14, 2025.

For home users (Consumer ESU):

One year of security updates, through October 13, 2026.
Three ways to enroll:
1. Free if you turn on Windows settings sync,
2. Free with 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points,
3. One-time purchase of $30 or local equivalent.
You can apply the same ESU license to up to 10 devices on the same Microsoft account.
Enrollment appears in Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update.

Microsoft first announced consumer ESU in October 2024 and priced it at $30 for one year. The current consumer page adds the free enrollment methods and explains region variations.

For organizations (Commercial ESU):

Up to three years of ESU, sold annually.
Year One price is $61 USD per device in volume licensing. The price doubles each year.
ESU is also included at no extra cost for Windows 10 VMs in certain Microsoft cloud services.

3) Replace the device

If your PC cannot run Windows 11 and ESU does not fit your plans, consider a new Windows 11 PC. Some regions also have trade-in and recycling programs to reduce costs and e-waste.

4) Consider another OS

Some users will choose Linux or ChromeOS Flex to extend hardware life. This can be a good stopgap for web and office use, but check app needs first. Independent reports highlight e-waste and access concerns for millions of older PCs.

How to enroll in ESU (home users)

On Windows 10 22H2, open Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update.
Select Enroll now when the ESU banner appears.
Sign in with a Microsoft account.
Choose enrollment method: settings sync, Rewards points, or $30 purchase.
Confirm and complete. Updates resume after end of support.

Important notes:

Consumer ESU does not include feature updates or general support. It only delivers security fixes.
Devices must run Windows 10 version 22H2 and be signed in with an admin Microsoft account.
You can enroll any time until October 13, 2026, but you remain exposed until you enroll.

What about government and business environments?

Public agencies and companies still on Windows 10 are buying ESU and accelerating Windows 11 deployments. Several guides and newsrooms report last-minute migrations, with risk and cost rising the longer the delay. Commercial ESU keys and coverage begin after the end-of-support date and are cumulative by year.

Security impact

Once updates stop, attackers can reuse fixed bugs from newer Windows versions to target Windows 10. Over months, unpatched systems fall further behind. ESU narrows the gap but is time-limited. This is why Microsoft urges moving to Windows 11 now.

Quick checklist: pick your path

Situation	Best next step	Why
Your PC meets Windows 11 specs	Upgrade in place	Most secure, free update
Your PC fails Windows 11 checks, you need 6–12 months	Enroll in Consumer ESU	Keeps security fixes through Oct 13, 2026
You manage a fleet	Buy Commercial ESU Year One	Buys time for staged migration
You cannot enroll or upgrade	Replace device or switch OS	Reduce risk and maintain app support

Sources for each option are in the list at the end.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting until after October 14, 2025 to decide. Plan now.
Staying on 21H2 or older. Move to 22H2 before enrolling in ESU.
Assuming apps alone keep you safe. The OS needs patches.
Buying gray-market keys. Use official enrollment and licensing routes. Microsoft

Why it matters

Windows 10 still runs on hundreds of millions of PCs. Unsupported systems raise cyber risk for homes, schools, and small firms. ESU offers a bridge, not a destination. The safest long-term fix is a supported OS on supported hardware.

What happens next

On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 leaves support. From October 15 onward, security gaps grow with each new disclosed flaw. Expect more upgrade prompts in Windows 10, plus region-specific ESU details and programs to ease the shift. Microsoft Support+1

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