Windows 10 End of Support: What It Means and How to Move to Windows 11

Support for Windows 10 ended on 14 October 2025. Your computer still starts up and your programs keep running, but Microsoft no longer ships updates. This guide explains exactly what changes, whether your PC is ready for Windows 11 and what your options are if it does not meet the requirements.

Short answer: Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025. Since then Microsoft ships no security updates, bug fixes or technical support. Your PC keeps working but grows less safe over time. Eligible computers upgrade to Windows 11 for free through Windows Update; older machines can take paid ESU or stay on Windows 10.

What does the end of Windows 10 support mean?

End of support means Windows 10 no longer receives maintenance. The last regular security update arrived in October 2025. From that point on, Microsoft patches no new vulnerabilities, fixes no bugs and offers no help desk support for the system. The operating system does not disappear, but every newly discovered security hole now stays open for good.

In practical terms, Microsoft stops delivering:

• Monthly security updates that close vulnerabilities.
• Bug fixes and stability improvements.
• Technical support through the official help desk.
• Updates for built-in components such as Microsoft Defender over time.

How serious is this for security?

On the day itself you notice little. The risk builds up in the months that follow. Attackers actively scan for systems without updates, because every freshly discovered flaw there will never be patched again. If you bank online, send email or handle sensitive files, an unsupported system becomes a growing liability. Antivirus software helps, but it does not replace the built-in security of the operating system.

How long can I keep using Windows 10?

Technically as long as you like: your PC keeps starting and working. It is wiser to treat this as a winding-down period. Without updates, every extra six months carries more risk, especially for online banking and work. If you stay on Windows 10 for now, plan a switch or ESU within a reasonable timeframe and, in the meantime, be extra careful with downloads, email attachments and unfamiliar links.

Can my PC run Windows 11?

That depends on the Windows 11 hardware requirements, which are stricter than those for Windows 10, especially around the processor and the security chip. Here is the minimum you need:

• Processor: a 64-bit CPU on the approved list (roughly Intel 8th generation or newer, AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer).
• Memory: at least 4 GB of RAM.
• Storage: at least 64 GB of free space.
• Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot enabled.
• Security chip: TPM version 2.0.

To be honest, some perfectly capable PCs miss the cut. Not because they are too slow, but because the processor falls just outside the approved list, or because TPM 2.0 is switched off in the BIOS. It pays to check carefully before you draw any conclusions.

How do I check whether my PC is eligible?

Use these three methods for a quick, clear answer:

• PC Health Check: download Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. It tells you at a glance whether your device qualifies and which component is blocking it.
• Check TPM: go to Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Device security to see the status of the security processor.
• tpm.msc: press the Windows key, type tpm.msc and press Enter. The top of the window shows whether TPM is present and which version is active.

Is TPM 2.0 turned off while your motherboard supports it? You can often enable it in the BIOS or UEFI (Intel calls it PTT, AMD calls it fTPM). After switching it on, a blocked PC sometimes qualifies for the upgrade after all.

Is the upgrade to Windows 11 free?

Yes. If your PC meets the requirements and runs an activated copy of Windows 10, the upgrade to Windows 11 is free through Windows Update. Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates; if your device qualifies, the upgrade appears there. Your files and programs stay in place during this upgrade.

Prefer a clean install, for example on a new SSD or to start fresh? Then you need a valid licence to activate Windows 11. A genuine product key activates both an upgrade and a clean install. At Licono you buy such a key at a low price and receive it straight away by email, with an invoice including VAT.

If you mostly work at home and do not need business features such as BitLocker drive encryption or access to a company network, Windows 11 Home is enough. For encryption, Remote Desktop or Hyper-V, Windows 11 Pro is the logical choice.

Does much change compared with Windows 10?

The switch is easier than many expect. Under the hood, Windows 11 works largely like Windows 10; your files, settings and most programs stay familiar. The biggest visible changes are the centred Start menu and taskbar, rounded windows and a refreshed Settings layout. If the new arrangement does not click straight away, you can move the Start menu back to the left in a couple of clicks. For most people, Windows 11 feels familiar again after a day.

What should I check before upgrading?

An upgrade usually goes smoothly, but it is worth preparing:

• Back up your important files, for example to an external drive or the cloud.
• Make sure you have enough free disk space (count on at least 64 GB).
• Keep your licence details handy in case you do a clean install.
• Connect your laptop to the charger and set aside time; the install can take half an hour or more.

What if my PC is not compatible?

If your PC falls outside the requirements, you do not have to buy a new one right away. Broadly speaking, you have these options:

• ESU (Extended Security Updates): Microsoft offers consumers a paid one-year bridge with critical security updates only. Treat it as a temporary patch, not a permanent fix.
• Stay on Windows 10: technically possible, but without updates the risk grows every month. If you do, limit sensitive tasks and keep solid backups.
• Replace or relicense your device: a slightly newer second-hand PC with a valid licence, or a fresh Windows 11 install on eligible hardware, is often cheaper than you would expect.

If you consciously stay on Windows 10 for now, at least make sure your installation is properly activated. With a valid Windows 10 Pro licence you keep every feature and stay ready for a later switch.

What does switching cost?

On eligible hardware the switch costs nothing: the upgrade through Windows Update is free. Costs only arise if you choose a clean install with a new licence, ESU as a temporary bridge, or replacement hardware. A genuine Windows 11 licence is affordable at Licono and delivered by email straight away, so you can activate a clean install immediately. That way you know exactly where you stand in advance, invoice with VAT included.

Which choice fits you? A decision path

Work through these steps from top to bottom:

• Is your PC eligible according to PC Health Check? If yes: upgrade for free through Windows Update, or do a clean install with a Windows 11 licence.
• Almost eligible, only TPM is off? Enable TPM 2.0 in the BIOS and check again.
• Not eligible, but you want to carry on for a while? Consider ESU for one year or stay carefully on an activated Windows 10.
• Device due for replacement? Pick eligible hardware and activate it with a genuine Windows 11 licence.

Conclusion

The end of Windows 10 support is no reason to panic, but it is a good moment to make a plan. First check whether your PC is eligible for Windows 11 and upgrade for free if you can. If your device is not compatible, choose deliberately between ESU, carrying on carefully with Windows 10 or new hardware. With a genuine, instantly delivered licence from Licono you take that step safely and without hassle, invoice and VAT included.