A major change is here for millions of Windows users:
As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10, marking the end of a 10-year era.
That means no more free security patches, bug fixes, or technical support — leaving many users and organizations vulnerable to new cyber threats.
Who’s Affected
Windows remains the most popular operating system globally, running on over 1.4 billion devices.
According to Statcounter, 43% of those devices still use Windows 10.
In the UK alone, around 21 million users are estimated to still be on Windows 10—many plan to continue using it despite the risks.
Consumer advocates warn that this could create millions of unprotected systems, increasing both cybersecurity and environmental concerns as people are pushed to replace otherwise functional hardware.
“The end of support for Windows 10 is shaping up to be a disaster for both consumers and the environment,”
— Nathan Proctor, PIRG Senior Director & Right-to-Repair Advocate
Your Options
Microsoft offers two main paths forward:
1️⃣ Upgrade to Windows 11 — Free if your PC meets the hardware requirements.
2️⃣ Enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU) — Provides essential security patches until October 2026.
For consumers, ESU is:
- Free if you enable Windows Backup or link a Microsoft account
- $30 USD (or 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points) per year if not
- Free for users in the European Economic Area (EEA)
For businesses, ESU licenses cost about $61 per device for the first year.
If your PC can’t run Windows 11, ESU offers a simple way to stay protected for another year without upgrading hardware.
3️⃣ Is there any other solution??
YES, there is!!
💡Microsoft now allows installing Windows 11 on computers that don't meet the official requirements.
The following steps need to be completed:
✅ Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
✅ Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup.
✅ Right-click on a space in the right-hand pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
✅ Name the new value AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU.
✅ Double-click on the new value and set its data to 1.
✅ Click OK to save the change and close the Registry Editor.
✅ Reboot your PC.
✅ Run the Windows 11 setup.exe from your installation media (like a mounted ISO file). The installer should now bypass the hardware checks.
What Happens If You Don’t Update
Without security updates, Windows 10 will become increasingly vulnerable to new exploits and ransomware attacks.
Unsupported systems may also:
- Lose compatibility with modern software
- Fail compliance checks for regulated industries
- Face a higher cyber risk from unpatched vulnerabilities
Recent attacks, from retailers to manufacturers, show how quickly outdated systems can become entry points for larger network breaches.
Beyond Microsoft
If upgrading isn’t an option, you can extend the life of your machine securely by switching to an open-source OS like Linux or Ubuntu, both of which support older hardware efficiently.
Final Advice from Alcaeus Services
Your security depends on staying current.
Whether through ESU, migration to Windows 11, or transitioning to Linux, don’t leave your devices without updates.
🔐 Outdated systems are cybercriminals’ easiest target. Stay ahead — patch, protect, and plan your next move.
