Windows 10 End of Support: What Should You Do Now?

Where things stand in October 2026

Microsoft stopped providing free security updates, bug fixes and technical support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. Windows 10 PCs still switch on and run, but any new security hole Microsoft finds is not fixed unless the PC is enrolled in Extended Security Updates (ESU).

There are two ESU routes, and they work very differently:

Business ESU is cumulative: if you join in year two you also pay for year one. Microsoft's consumer ESU page now states the programme ends on 12 October 2027, after Microsoft extended it in June 2026. Prices and dates come from Microsoft's ESU documentation as checked in October 2026.

Step 1: check whether each PC can run Windows 11

Open Settings, then Update and Security, then Windows Update. If the PC is eligible, you will usually see an offer to upgrade to Windows 11. You can also run Microsoft's PC Health Check app. The usual blockers are:

• TPM 2.0 turned off or missing. Many PCs have it but it is disabled in the BIOS (look for Intel PTT or AMD fTPM).
• Secure Boot turned off, or the drive using the old MBR layout instead of GPT.
• An unsupported processor, typically Intel 7th generation or older, or AMD Ryzen 1000 series.

The first two can often be fixed in settings. An unsupported processor means the PC should be replaced. Workarounds that bypass the checks exist, but Microsoft does not support them and you may not get updates, so we do not recommend them for business PCs.

Step 2: upgrade the PCs that can

1. Back up the PC, or check OneDrive is syncing Desktop, Documents and Pictures.
2. Check your key software and printers support Windows 11. Most do, but older accounting, CAD and practice management versions may need updating first.
3. Run the upgrade from Windows Update or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Allow an hour or so per PC.
4. After the upgrade, sign in, check apps, printers and mapped drives, and run Windows Update until nothing is left.

Businesses with several PCs can manage the upgrade centrally with Microsoft Intune. See device management with Intune.

Step 3: decide on PCs that cannot upgrade

For a business, the choice is usually between paying for ESU while you budget for replacements, or replacing now. Because business ESU doubles every year and gives security fixes only, it makes sense for a small number of machines with a specific reason to wait, such as specialist software that is not yet certified on Windows 11. For general office PCs, replacement is normally better value.

Keep in mind that Windows 10 without ESU counts as unsupported software. That fails the security update rules in Cyber Essentials, explained in our guide to Cyber Essentials, and may matter to your cyber insurer.

Home users and sole traders using a personal Windows 10 PC can enrol in consumer ESU through Settings, then Windows Update. Your PC needs version 22H2 and the latest updates installed first.

When to call dijitul support

We can check every PC in your office remotely, tell you which can upgrade and which cannot, fix TPM and Secure Boot settings where possible, run the upgrades, and move files and settings onto new laptops for the rest. If you need ESU for a few machines while you budget, we can help you work out the cost and enrol them.

Upgrades and setups are £45 an hour + VAT. Our £99 a month + VAT Complete plan includes 3 hours a month and IT helpdesk support for your team, which covers a phased upgrade for most small offices. Related: PC and laptop support, new starter IT setup and plans.

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