The one thing all Windows 10 users need to do by October

If you are still using a Windows 10 PC, Microsoft will very soon stop sending you free software updates unless you do one thing - although it might cost you.

October 14 is the day Microsoft officially retires Windows 10, no longer providing its millions of users worldwide with software and security updates. The firm would prefer you to update your machine to Windows 11, or barring that, buy a new computer altogether.

But as is often the case with the end of an operating system, things aren’t as simple as that. Figures show 43 percent of all Windows computers globally still run Windows 10, meaning they will technically be more unsafe after the October deadline, theoretically more vulnerable to cyber attack as emerging bugs and software flaws go unfixed.

Microsoft has decided to offer all Windows 10 users a way out, but only if you’re willing to pay $30 (£22) for the privilege. The firm is currently rolling out an option in the settings menu of Windows 10 devices offering users the chance to enroll in what it calls Extended Security Updates (ESUs), a yearlong offer of software updates until October 13, 2026.

According to Microsoft, these ESUs are free if you are logged in to a registered Microsoft account and agree to sync and backup your PC’s settings and apps to Microsoft’s cloud service.

If you don’t want to be logged into an account or commit to the cloud backup, you’ll need to pay the $30 fee. Alternatively, you can redeem 1,000 Microsoft rewards points, if you have somehow managed to accrue that many in your account (or knew they existed in the first place).

But the short yearlong extension, however you get it, can’t hide the fact Microsoft wants you to upgrade to Windows 11.

“Microsoft announced last October, the Extended Security Updates (ESU) consumer programme, which gives the option for eligible Windows 10 PCs enrolled in the programme to receive security updates,” the firm said on an information page on its website.

“The programme gives customers more time before moving to a Copilot+ PC or other Windows 11 device.

“Windows 10 PCs will continue to function. However, from 14 October 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide the following for Windows 10 devices:

• Technical support
• Feature updates or new features
• Quality updates (including security and reliability fixes)”.

Although Microsoft technically allows any Windows 10 PC to upgrade to Windows 11, your machine might not be able to run the operating system as stability as it does Windows 10 due to increased system requirements for the newer version. Along with at least a 1Ghz chip, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and more, your computer also needs to have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.

Without at least version 2.0 of this hardware chip component, your PC will not run Windows 11. You can read Microsoft’s instructions on how to check if your PC “might be enabled to meet this requirement”.

If it can’t meet the requirements, your options are to continue using Windows 10 without software updates or to get the year of ESUs. After October 2026, you’re on your own.