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

Windows 10 end of support: what changed on 14 October 2025

The Windows 10 end of support took effect on 14 October 2025: on that date, Microsoft ended standard support for the system. It is the “end of life” of Windows 10 in the technical sense: the system keeps working, but Microsoft no longer maintains it.

Since that date, a Windows 10 PC no longer receives:

• monthly security updates, unless it is covered by the ESU program;
• bug fixes and improvements to the system;
• technical assistance from Microsoft.

What does not change: the computer starts, your software opens, your files stay where they are. Nothing was switched off overnight; the real issue is security over time.

Can you still use Windows 10? Yes, with your eyes open

A Windows 10 PC remains fully functional. So the right question is not “does it still work?” but “what level of risk do I accept, and for how long?”.

What keeps working

• Windows 10 still activates normally, including after a full reinstall.
• Most browsers and third-party antivirus programs still publish their own updates.
• Your installed applications keep running as before.

What becomes risky over time

• Any flaw discovered after 14 October 2025 stays unpatched on a system without ESU coverage.
• As flaws pile up, an unmaintained system becomes an ever easier target.
• Software vendors gradually drop systems that have reached end of life.

Uses that handle sensitive data are the most exposed: online banking, shopping with a saved card, the email account that resets all your other passwords, tax or administrative procedures. Files stored on the machine matter just as much: photos, documents and archives are the favorite target of ransomware, which relies precisely on flaws that were never patched.

In practice, a backup PC that rarely goes online runs a limited risk. A main computer used daily for the web, email, banking or shopping is far more exposed.

What to do now: your options compared

No need for catastrophism: your machine will not stop tomorrow. There is, however, a decision to make between three scenarios.

For a compatible PC used every day, the third option is the lasting one: a Windows 11 Home key costs €8.90, Windows 11 Pro costs €9.90, and the machine gets regular security updates again.

If you still choose to stay on Windows 10 for a while, reduce your exposure: keep your browser and antivirus up to date, back up your files regularly, protect your accounts with two-factor authentication and be extra careful with attachments and unexpected links.

ESU: a bridge, not a destination

ESU stands for Extended Security Updates, Microsoft’s official extension for systems past their end of support. For home users, Microsoft announced it for one year only, until 13 October 2026, with security fixes only: no new features and no technical support. In the European Economic Area, enrollment was free with a Microsoft account; elsewhere, Microsoft asked for a settings backup, Rewards points or a one-time fee. Organizations can pay for additional years through Microsoft’s commercial program. Our detailed article on Windows 10 end of support options and ESU covers the conditions. In every case, ESU only postpones the question: when it ends, the same decision comes back.

Is your PC compatible with Windows 11? Check in two minutes

Before deciding, check your machine’s compatibility: it is free and quick.

The key requirements

• a recent 64-bit processor: as a rule, Intel 8th generation, AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer;
• at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage;
• Secure Boot in UEFI mode;
• a TPM 2.0 chip, present on most recent PCs but sometimes disabled in the BIOS.

Two ways to check

1. Open Settings, then Windows Update: on an eligible PC, the offer to move to Windows 11 appears there.
2. Download Microsoft’s PC Health Check app: it tells you exactly which requirement is blocking, if any.

Read the detailed result: each requirement is listed with its status, which avoids concluding too quickly that your PC is incompatible. If TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is reported missing, the feature is often just disabled at the factory. Restart the PC, open the BIOS/UEFI (Del, F2 or F10 depending on the manufacturer), enable the TPM option (called “PTT” on Intel boards and “fTPM” on AMD), then run the check again: the verdict often changes.

Still negative, this time because of the processor or a TPM chip that is truly absent? All is not lost: our guide to installing Windows 11 without TPM 2.0 explains the possible workarounds and their limits. And if you choose to stay on Windows 10, a Windows 10 key such as Windows 10 Pro at €9.90 still lets you activate or reinstall the system properly.

Moving to Windows 11: the real cost and the steps

If your Windows 10 is already activated and the PC is compatible, the upgrade itself is free and your license follows. You need a new key when Windows 10 is not activated, when you reinstall on a machine without a digital license, when you build or buy a PC without a license, or when you want to move from Home to Pro. At Euro Shop Key:

• Windows 11 Home at €8.90: the edition for typical personal use;
• Windows 11 Pro at €9.90: with BitLocker, Remote Desktop and advanced management;
• Windows 11 Pro + Office 2021 Pro Plus bundle at €24.90: to renew system and office suite in a single order.

The key is sent by email within minutes and activates on Microsoft’s official servers. It is a perpetual license: paid once, valid for life on your machine, with no subscription. Payment is secure, by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Bancontact, and your invoice shows VAT.

The migration, step by step

1. Back up your important files (documents, photos, browser bookmarks) to an external drive or the cloud.
2. If you need a license, order your Windows 11 key and get it from your inbox.
3. Start the upgrade from Windows Update or with the Windows 11 Installation Assistant: files and applications are kept.
4. If Windows asks for it, enter your key under Settings, System, then Activation.

Once Windows 11 is in place, let Windows Update download the latest fixes and drivers: that regular maintenance is exactly what Windows 10 no longer gets, and it is the whole point of the migration.

Prefer a fresh start? Follow our complete guide to formatting and reinstalling Windows 11. And if you are taking the opportunity to change computers, here is how to transfer your Windows license to a new PC.