A deadline, not a shutdown
Microsoft ended standard support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. PCs still boot, but the operating system no longer receives ordinary security updates unless covered by an eligible Extended Security Updates option. That changes risk rather than functionality overnight. A machine used offline for a narrow task is different from one handling banking, email and work files. Owners should decide based on exposure and data, not panic.
Check the real upgrade path
Some PCs can install Windows 11 after firmware settings or storage are reviewed; others do not meet Microsoft’s supported hardware requirements. Check the exact model, processor, memory, storage and security features before buying. Businesses should also inventory specialist applications and peripherals. Extended updates may create a bridge while a company tests software, budgets replacements and moves data, but every bridge needs a planned end date.
Do not turn inclusion into waste
The government’s digital-inclusion work stresses that second-hand devices should run current software and have repair routes. Passing an insecure PC to another household transfers the problem. A responsible choice may be a supported alternative operating system for a suitable user, professional refurbishment, component reuse or compliant recycling. The end of Windows support should start a lifecycle decision, not an automatic trip to the tip.
UK TECH TRENDIndependent analysis for the British technology market.
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