Windows 10 End of Life (Text Version)

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Windows 10 is about to expire—and Microsoft expects you to toss your PC.

Windows 10 has reached “end of life” as of October 14, 2025. That means Microsoft will stop supporting it normally. There will be no more feature updates, and standard security updates will stop.

Outdated computers are vulnerable to cyber attacks, so people are advised to switch to Windows 11. Here’s the problem with that—

Windows 11 requires computers built with TPM 2.0. That means most computers over five years old can’t install Windows 11, no matter how powerful they are.

* Windows 11 installations can be “hacked” to get around the TPM requirement, but there’s no guarantee the operating system will keep working or stay safe.

Microsoft knows this will lead people to toss their computers. Computers ineligible for Windows 11 have seen this in their Updates panel:

A section of text that says, “Your PC doesn’t currently meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11.” Below this text are two links: “Windows 11 system requirements,” and “Learn about options to trade-in or recycle your PC.”

Estimates tell us this could lead to as many as 400 million working computers being thrown away.

Even for computers that can switch, Windows 11 is considered too invasive by many. Its most controversial feature is Copilot’s Recall, which regularly takes screenshots of what users are doing.

Windows has been known to change settings after updates. Even if the user disables invasive features—or removes them—there’s no guarantee they will stay gone.

The widespread security risk of using Windows 10 will increase every day after October 14, 2025. Here are three things you can do other than throwing away your device:

1. Enroll in Windows’ Extended Security Updates

If you need to keep using Windows 10, enroll for security updates. Microsoft’s ESU (Extended Security Updates) program will provide security updates until October 2026.

There are some ways to enroll​ for free, but if they don’t work for you, it’s $30 USD per account for consumers. Organizations can enroll longer, at higher cost.

* European Economic Area consumers won the right to enroll for free.

2. Try an open source operating system

Windows and Mac aren’t the only operating systems.

In 1991, Linus Torvalds wanted to use his new computer exactly how he wanted, so he started writing his own operating system. That project became Linux, an open source kernel that’s been used to make countless open source operating systems.

In other words, there are operating systems you can use for free.

Linux systems aren’t for everyone, though. Solving technical issues often means visiting forums, and some apps just won’t work outside of Windows or Mac.

Still, if you’re able and willing to learn, there are benefits to going open source. Linux operating systems—called “distributions”—tend to use less telemetry than premium systems (they collect less user data), and some can run on desktops too weak for “normal” operating systems.

Here are some popular distributions:

Linux Mint

Designed to be easy on people coming from Windows. Makes it easier to dual-boot (you can install it while keeping Windows)

Fedora

Trades stability for compatibility with newer hardware and software. Updates more often to stay on the “bleeding edge”

Arch Linux

A playground for those who love to customize. Expects you to build it yourself

3. Help others prepare and take action

Every Windows device that isn’t updated poses a risk to other Windows devices.

Depending on how networks and files are shared, all it takes is one machine to start a chain of infections. Networks of outdated Windows devices is how NotPetya happened in 2017 (this malware caused billions in damage).

Don’t ignore this problem. Keep your devices safe, and warn others about what’s coming.

• Warn others to secure their devices
• Pressure Microsoft and policymakers to provide ESU for free, like in the European Economic Area
• Support people and projects that make leaving Windows easier

This Windows panic isn’t a one-off event. Experts see this as part of a trend of companies taking control away from consumers, often while claiming they’re keeping us safe.

Abandoning hundreds millions of computers to malware problems does not keep us “safe.” If we’re dooming the planet with e-waste, what are we saving anyway?

The recent boycott of Sinclair in support of James Kimmel proves what many have been saying for a long time: When not caring costs them money, corporations put people first.

When we really decide that enough is enough—not when we’d think it’d be safer, but while most of us are still alive—we can take the planet back with the press of a button.

Don’t take Microsoft seriously when they act like your only option is to do whatever they say. Remember the computer you paid for is yours.

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“Hundreds of businesses beg Microsoft not to kill off free Windows 10 updates”

Craig Hale

https://www.techradar.com/pro/hundreds-of-businesses-beg-microsoft-not-to-kill-off-free-windows-10-updates

“Microsoft forced to make Windows 10 extended security updates truly free in Europe”

Tom Warren

https://www.theverge.com/news/785544/microsoft-windows-10-extended-security-updates-free-europe-changes

“Microsoft Windows 10: Your Old PC is Now Trash!”

Dave Plummer (Dave’s Garage)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGj0rVZGfuk

“Retrace your steps with Recall”

Microsoft

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/retrace-your-steps-with-recall-aa03f8a0-a78b-4b3e-b0a1-2eb8ac48701c

“Linux kernel”

Wikipedia contributors

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_kernel

License: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_4.0_International_License#License

“Linux Mint FAQ”

Linux Mint

linuxmint.com/faq.php

“NotPetya”

HYPR

https://www.hypr.com/security-encyclopedia/notpetya

“The Most Destructive Hack Ever Used: NotPetya”

Cybernews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-MSlNVqzYY

Petitions and other actions

FULU Foundation

fulu.org/take-action