After a decade of service, Windows 10 will lose official support in October 2025, leaving millions of users facing a critical decision

Microsoft’s Windows 10, once hailed as “the last version of Windows you’ll ever need,” is approaching its sunset. On October 14, 2025, the operating system that has powered over a billion devices worldwide will officially reach the end of support, marking the end of an era for what became Microsoft’s most widely adopted OS.

What “Going Dark” Means

When Windows 10 goes dark, Microsoft will cease providing:

• Security updates and patches
• Technical support and assistance
• Software updates and bug fixes
• Feature enhancements

While the operating system will continue to function on existing devices, computers running Windows 10 after the cutoff date will become increasingly vulnerable to security threats, malware, and compatibility issues with newer software.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Despite the release of Windows 11 in 2021, Windows 10 has maintained remarkable staying power. Recent data shows that Windows 10 still commands approximately 65% of the Windows market share, far outpacing its successor. This means that hundreds of millions of devices will need to upgrade, replace, or accept the security risks associated with running unsupported software.

Why the Resistance to Upgrade?

Windows 11’s strict hardware requirements have created a significant barrier to adoption. The requirement for TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and specific CPU generations has rendered countless perfectly functional computers ineligible for the upgrade, forcing users to choose between purchasing new hardware or remaining on Windows 10.

Options for Users

As the deadline approaches, Windows 10 users have several paths forward:

Upgrade to Windows 11 if their hardware meets the requirements. Microsoft offers free upgrades for compatible devices.

Purchase new hardware that comes with Windows 11 pre-installed, though this represents a significant expense for individuals and organizations.

Pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU), which Microsoft is offering to consumers for the first time. This program will provide critical security updates for an additional fee, allowing those not ready to transition to buy time.

Switch to alternative operating systems such as Linux distributions, though this requires technical knowledge and adaptation.

Accept the risks of running unsupported software, a choice that security experts strongly advise against.

The Enterprise Challenge

For businesses and institutions, the end-of-life of Windows 10 presents a significant logistical and financial challenge. IT departments worldwide are scrambling to audit hardware inventories, budget for replacements, and coordinate migration plans. The cost of upgrading entire fleets of computers could reach billions of dollars across industries.

Environmental Concerns

The hardware requirements for Windows 11 have sparked criticism from environmental advocates, who warn of the potential for massive electronic waste. Millions of functional computers may be discarded simply because they cannot run the newer operating system, raising questions about sustainability in the tech industry.

Microsoft’s Position

Microsoft has defended the Windows 11 hardware requirements as necessary for enhanced security features and better performance. The company argues that modern security threats necessitate modern hardware capabilities and that the TPM 2.0 requirement is essential for protecting users in an increasingly perilous digital landscape.

The Extended Security Updates program represents Microsoft’s acknowledgment that the transition will take time and that users need flexibility during this period.

What Comes Next

As October 2025 approaches, the pressure on Windows 10 holdouts will intensify. Software developers will gradually drop support for the aging OS, security vulnerabilities will accumulate, and compatibility issues will multiply.

For the millions still running Windows 10, the message is clear: the lights are going out, and the time to prepare is now. Whether through upgrade, replacement, or alternative solutions, users must confront the reality that Windows 10’s remarkable ten-year run is nearing its end.

The question is no longer whether Windows 10 will go dark, but whether users will be ready when it does.