With its intuitive interface, robust security features, and many improvements over its predecessors, it quickly became the go-to operating system for millions. However, as with all good things, the time has come for Windows 10 to start its journey towards the end of its support lifecycle.

This article will explore what this means for you, the consumer, and how to prepare to transition to a newer operating system.

Understanding End of Support

Before we dive into the specifics, it’s essential to understand what “end of support” actually means. Microsoft provides two types of support for its operating systems: mainstream support and extended support.

• Mainstream Support: This includes all the primary updates, including security updates, new features, and performance improvements. Mainstream support for Windows 10 ended on October 13, 2020.
• Extended Support: This phase focuses primarily on security updates and bug fixes without adding new features. Windows 10 will end its extended support on October 14, 2025.

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide updates or security patches for Windows 10. Any vulnerabilities discovered after this date will not be patched, exposing your system to security risks.

Why Is Microsoft Ending Support for Windows 10?

Several factors drive the decision to end support for an operating system.

Firstly, it allows Microsoft to focus its resources on newer technologies and operating systems, ensuring they remain competitive and secure. Additionally, it encourages users to migrate to newer versions, which typically offer enhanced features, better performance, and improved security.

Windows 11, released in October 2021, represents the next step in Microsoft’s vision for the future of personal computing. With its advanced features, such as a redesigned user interface, improved performance, and enhanced security measures, Windows 11 aims to provide a more modern and efficient computing experience.

What Are the Implications for Consumers?

The end of support for Windows 10 carries several implications for consumers. Understanding these can help you make informed decisions about how to proceed.

1. Security Risks – Perhaps the most significant concern is the increased security risk. Once Microsoft stops providing security updates, any new vulnerabilities discovered in Windows 10 will remain unpatched, making your system an easy target for cybercriminals and malware.
2. Software Compatibility – As time progresses, software developers will gradually stop supporting Windows 10. This means that new applications and updates to existing software may not be compatible with Windows 10, potentially leading to issues with functionality or performance.
3. Hardware Compatibility – Similar to software, hardware manufacturers will also start focusing on newer operating systems. This could result in a lack of driver support for new hardware, making it challenging to use the latest peripherals and devices with Windows 10.
4. Technical Support – While Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10, third-party technical support may still be available. However, this support will likely come at a cost and may not be as comprehensive as the support provided by Microsoft during the extended support phase.

Preparing for the Transition

Given the potential risks and challenges associated with the end of Windows 10 support, it’s crucial to start preparing for the transition to a newer operating system. Here are some steps you can take to ensure a smooth transition:

1. Evaluate Your Current System – Evaluate your current system to determine if it meets the requirements for Windows 11. Microsoft has provided a tool called the PC Health Check app, which can help you assess whether your system is compatible with Windows 11. You can start planning for the upgrade if your system meets the requirements. If not, you may need to consider purchasing a new device.
2. Backup Your Data – Before making any changes, ensure all your important data is backed up. This includes documents, photos, videos, and any other critical files. Using cloud storage solutions or external hard drives can provide extra protection for your data.
3. Plan Your Upgrade – Once you’ve determined that your system is compatible with Windows 11, plan your upgrade. Microsoft offers a free upgrade to Windows 11 for eligible Windows 10 users. You can check for updates through Windows Update or download installation media from Microsoft’s website.
4. Consider Alternatives – If your system is incompatible with Windows 11 and you’re not ready to invest in a new device, consider alternative operating systems. Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora can provide a secure and modern computing experience without new hardware.
5. Stay Informed – Stay informed about the latest developments regarding Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft regularly updates its support documentation and provides guidance on making the transition as smooth as possible. For the latest information, visit the [Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/) website.

Making the Transition

Transitioning to a new operating system can be daunting, but it can be a smooth and rewarding experience with the right approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Check for Compatibility – Use the PC Health Check app to verify if your current system is compatible with Windows 11. The minimum system requirements include a compatible 64-bit processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, and TPM version 2.0. For a detailed list of requirements, visit the Windows 11 specifications page.
2. Backup Your Data – Ensure all your important data is backed up to an external drive or cloud storage. This step is crucial to prevent data loss during the upgrade process.
3. Download Windows 11 – If your system is compatible, you can download Windows 11 through Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. If Windows 11 is available for your device, you’ll see an option to download and install it.
4. Perform the Upgrade – Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade process. The installation will take some time, and your computer may restart several times. Once the upgrade is complete, you’ll be greeted with the new Windows 11 interface.
5. Restore Your Data – After the upgrade is complete, restore your data from the backup and ensure that all your files and applications are functioning correctly.

Conclusion

The end of support for Windows 10 marks the beginning of a new era in personal computing. While it brings certain challenges, it also opens the door to new opportunities with Windows 11 and other modern operating systems.

By preparing in advance and making informed decisions, you can ensure a smooth transition and continue to enjoy a secure and efficient computing experience.

As we approach October 14, 2025, remember the importance of staying updated and proactive. Whether you upgrade to Windows 11 or explore other options, the key is to plan ahead and make the transition as seamless as possible.

For more detailed information and guidance, visit the official Microsoft Support website, which provides regular updates and insights on technology trends.

Stay informed, stay secure, and embrace the future of computing.

For the sweet, sweet price of $2.

Yikes!

This report from the Korea Times reveals that not only is there a growing number of such leaked keys being sold, Microsoft is in no position to stop the illegal sales of these keys. Which comes as an absolute surprise, more so when you consider the following detail.

Microsoft is, in fact, unable to determine where these product keys are coming from in the first place!

A Microsoft Korea official was quoted as saying:

“It is almost impossible to know where products keys are leaked from as Windows is a widely used operating system and there are too many leakage cases. Product keys distributed through online shopping platforms are mostly unfit for general consumers and are vulnerable to security issues.”

Not exactly sure about that last bit, but whatever, man.

For comparison purposes, a genuine Windows 10 product key costs about 200,000 won in South Korea, which comes in at about $165 at today’s currency exchange rate. These leaked keys from third-party retailers cost only 2,500 won, or $2 give or take.

Most of these listings were published on Coupang and TMON, two of the biggest online shopping platforms in the country.

Needless to say, Microsoft has reached out to both to block the sale of these illegal keys.

What a time to be alive!

However, it seems that abandoning this version of the OS will be anything but easy.

While the risks of staying on an unsupported version of Windows are tremendous, it appears that consumers are businesses are not all that worried about it. Windows 7 remains super-popular among not just end users and very small businesses but enterprises as well.

All this has been revealed in research conducted by Kaspersky, via anonymous data that was collected with user consent. It shows that 38% of the consumers are still on Windows 7, with a similar share also recorded in the very small business market.

Interestingly, when it comes to SMBs and enterprises, the percentage is even higher, with 47% of the devices in these domains currently running Windows 7.

Alexey Pankratov, Enterprise Solutions Manager, Kaspersky:

“Statistics show that a significant share of users, both businesses and individuals, still use workstations running an outdated or approaching end of lifecycle OS. The widespread use of Windows 7 is concerning, as there is less than six months to go until this version becomes unsupported.”

That said, users have finally moved beyond Windows XP and Vista, so that is a net positive.

And even better news is that Windows 10 is becoming the preferred choice for everyone. As far as consumers are concerned, 53% of them are currently on the latest and greatest version of Windows, while VSBs have hit an even higher mark of 55%.

Only 47% of SMBs and enterprises have upgraded to Windows 10.

But this is a figure that is continually on the rise.

Thankfully.

This version is more commonly known as the Creators Update.

And apparently, there are still quite a few users running the Enterprise and Education flavors of this version. Even as end of support it will be reached in about a month from now — October 9 will be the last time the Creators Update will get updates.

After which no security patches will be made available for this version of the OS.

You may recall that Microsoft actually released Windows 10 version 1703 early 2017. The Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core flavors of this version of the operating system reached the end of life on October 8, 2018.

However, as part of its lifecycle policy, the Enterprise and Education SKUs continue to be serviced even after the consumer variants are retired.

It is for this reason that Redmond warns:

“There is no extended support available for any edition of Windows 10, version 1703. Therefore, it will no longer be supported after October 9, 2019 and will not receive monthly security and quality updates containing protections from the latest security threats.

To continue receiving security and quality updates, Microsoft recommends that you update your devices to the latest version of Windows 10.”

Saying it straight.

The next long-term destination for these users is Windows 10 Version 1809, which is what customers are recommended to upgrade to. Also known as the infamous October 2018 Update, this particular version of the OS will be supported until May 11, 2021, as per Microsoft’s servicing policy.

Of course, support for the Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations and IoT Core SKUs will be pulled a year earlier, as usual.

It is a clear sign that there are folks out there that still like the look and feel of the old OS more than the latest one that Microsoft offers.

This concept, which you can take a look at below, images a mix of the super-famous Windows XP and the modern features that have made Windows 10 what it is. It is, essentially, the best of both worlds, with improvements across practically all key areas.

Designed by Kamer Kaan Avdan, the concept proposes a dark theme in Windows XP, to go with a dynamic wallpaper that changes according to the time of the day.

Well, this is shown best via moving pictures, so here you go:

Radical!

The modern Windows 10 features are mixed with traditional Windows XP elements like the classic Stat Menu, which as you may have noticed lacks support for Live Tiles. Which is not all that surprising, considering Microsoft itself appears to be moving away from the concept.

Overall, a great effort.

As for the chances to officially see a modern version of Windows go live, with this style of Windows XP, well, let’s just say that it’s next to zero.

All we can do is enjoy this creation, and remiss about those happier times.

As in, there is not a lot new in this version of the preview.

You can check out the details here, but basically, the only noteworthy new option is in Settings to lets apps be restarted when the user sings out and back in again. Pretty small addition, as far as additions go, but there you have it.

Can’t have the world every time, right?

Microsoft terms this as control over restarting apps at sign-in. Applications can register for restart, and this actually is helpful in a few situations like enabling you to get back to what you were doing if you need to restart your PC.

This option is not exactly new, though.

Previously it was tied to the “Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device” option under Sign-in options in accounts settings. But Redmond now provides more explicit control over when Windows automatically restarts apps that were open when you restart your PC

As you can guess, this option will roll out with 20H1, and can prove to be quiet a lifesaver in certain cases for some users.

Additionally, there are some UI changes to the Feedback Hub, with new interface elements for feedback search to go with options for reporting similar feedback. There is also a new achievement page, which you can take a glance at below.

This relatively small changelog is not surprising, expected even.

And that is because the last week release landed on Friday, and the build number is only slightly higher than build 18963. Still, if you like to test Windows 10 preview builds on your system, then this one is another neat addition to check out.

This is an app that has been a staple of the OS for a very long time

Ever since Windows 1.0, as a matter of fact, when it was released on that fine day in 1985.

And over the years, this program was updated with every release of Windows, whether via new features or improved user interface. Last time Microsoft gave it a look was in the most recent release of the operating system, the May 2019 Update.

But the thing is, since this program is tied to the OS, any features, fixes and improvements warrant an operating system update — similar to the case of the Edge web browser before it was freed from its shackles due to the engine change to Chromium.

Now that Note pad has been moved to the Microsoft Store, the software titan can update it like any other app that the repository houses.

The software giant actually made this change with build 18963 of the operating system that was made available for testing to Insiders in the Fast Ring of the preview program last week.

And soon enough, the Notepad app made an appearance on the Microsoft Store.

You can check out its listing below. But for now, not a whole lot has changed when you install the app from the Store. This is an initial release after all, designed to make the app independent from Windows updates.

Oh, and installing the app from its Store listing will not be possible unless you are enrolled in the Fast Ring of the Windows Insider Program.

Still, give it a looksie below.

Download: Windows Notepad

What with it landing itself in a tangle with the US government recently.

One where it lost access to American technologies, including processors from AMD and Intel, and software from Google and Microsoft.

Anyway, that’s just how things work these days.

We have not heard much on the matter, but what little details have surface show that the development of this replacement operating system is coming along nicely. More than that, all these efforts are also being supported by large technology firms in China.

According to this new report, companies like Tencent, OPPO and VIVO sent employees to Huawei to test the new operating system, which is known internally as HongMeng, but may launch as Ark OS.

And one takeaway from all this is that this universal operating system comes with substantial speed increases, at least compared to existing version of Android. There are claims that it is at least 60% faster than Android, though Windows numbers are not yet available.

Remains to be seen just how much of an impact this new operating system can make on the market, and whether it will result in a change how Android and Windows devices are produced and sold.

At the very least, we have a new contender, a new challenger.

And that is always a tad scary.

Unlike some other applications, WhatsApp had been getting regular updates on Windows powered phones. But even it has set its sights on retirement, with the company revealing that it would no longer work on this particular operating system come January 2020.

And while users still have half a year to prepare for the demise of WhatsApp on Windows Phone, there is another milestone that approaches next month.

That of the app being pulled from the Microsoft Store in early July.

As revealed by the developers:

“You’ll no longer be able to use all Windows Phone operating systems after December 31, 2019, and WhatsApp might not be available in the Microsoft Store after July 1, 2019. Because we no longer actively develop for these operating systems, some features might stop functioning at any time.”

Straight from the FAQ.

Of course, none of this is surprising, as developers have been giving up on Windows 10 Mobile applications left and right. Microsoft itself is pushing users away from its mobile platform, and other companies saying goodbye is only logical.

Sad, but logical.

This is, obviously, the new flavor of the Microsoft Edge browser, built using the Chromium engine.

And it can be installed on PC running either Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 as part of its testing program. Previously, Microsoft had only released previews for Windows 10 and macOS, but now the company is ready for the older platforms.

Straight from the Microsoft Edge team:

“Delivering the next version of Microsoft Edge to all supported versions of Windows is part of our goal to improve the web browsing experience for our customers on every device, and to empower developers to build great experiences with less fragmentation.”

Noble goal.

As you would expect from a new browser on an old operating system, Microsoft Edge does offer the same look and feel as its Windows 10 sibling, but these versions are missing several of the new features and additions, including the dark theme.

Luckily, Redmond has promises to add a few of these options soon, as the priority right now is to allow users to take the new browser for a test drive on these old operating systems.

Right now, only the Canary build of Microsoft Edge is available for these three OS, but Microsoft has confirmed that the Dev channel would be released on older Windows very soon as well. That said, there is no indication when the final, stable version of Edge will be available for these users.

Should not be too far off.

In the meantime, be sure to download your Microsoft Edge preview builds from here for your specific version of Windows.