There have been plenty of warnings about the consequences of Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 in October, but the latest advice from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) could trump them all.
The NCSC is part of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), part of the UK Government that helps advise the nation on the best practices when it comes to cyber security.
Though its advice is aimed mostly at businesses, the latest warning also applies to anyone still running Windows 10 at home.
“In spite of its advanced age, Windows 10 still has a sizeable number of users, and some organisations are reticent to upgrade to Windows 11,” the NCSC said in a blog post.
“A likely reason for this is very simple: to many people, Windows 10 works for them, and just doesn’t feel old.
“Devices that don’t meet Windows 11 hardware requirements – and are therefore unable to use the features that are needed to secure Windows – remain fundamentally vulnerable to attack,” the NCSC said.
Microsoft has confirmed it will stop sending out vital software and security updates for Windows 10 from October 14, 2025, bringing a technical end to the decade-old operating system that launched in 2015.
Windows 10 computers will continue to function perfectly well, but the lack of new security updates means that going forward, users will be at potential risk as new online threats emerge. Windows 11 PCs will get free software upgrades that patch these risks, but Windows 10 will not.
Windows 11 is available as a free update to anyone with a Windows 10 machine, but Microsoft publishes minimum system requirements you should check before upgrading. Computers with hardware that can’t cope with the newer operating system.
Naturally, you may resent the alternative route to Windows 11, which is to stump up the cash for a new PC. The NCSC seems to understand this, attempting to spin your potentially costly hardware upgrade into a positive.
“[I]f upgrading requires you to replace hardware, consider it an opportunity to address security vulnerabilities in your devices rather than simply the nuisance of replacing old hardware.”
Should you want to keep running Windows 10 past October, you do have an alternative way of keeping things up to date. Microsoft says it will charge users $30 (about £24) per year for Extended Security Updates, which will be available till 2028 to keep your computer running with the newest security software updates.
Microsoft has also confirmed it will provide all Windows 10 users with free security updates for Microsoft 365 apps until 2028, but the firm will stop sending those users feature updates for Microsoft 365 software in 2026.