Microsoft has issued a critical warning to over 700 million Windows 10 users, urging them to take immediate action to remain protected against emerging security threats. This alert comes just days after the company addressed more than 100 security vulnerabilities. Users now have a 60-day window to select an extended support option for Windows 10 or upgrade to Windows 11, if feasible.
Windows 10 is scheduled for retirement on October 14, 2025. This end-of-life date impacts the majority of Windows 10 PCs currently in use, specifically “Windows 10 version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions),” as well as “Windows 10 2015 LTSB and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2015.” For the first time, home users are being offered an Extended Security Update (ESU) option.
Microsoft has confirmed that “the October 2025 monthly security update will be the last update available for these versions. After this date, devices running these versions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats.” Users have received the August update and are set to receive two more before support officially ceases. It is deemed crucial for users to choose one of the available options to extend security support beyond October 14.
Several options are available for extending security support. Users who are willing to utilize a Microsoft account and OneDrive can extend support for free. Alternatively, a payment of $30 can cover up to 10 PCs under a single account. For home users, the ESU options include using Windows Backup to sync settings to the cloud at no additional cost, redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points also at no additional cost, or paying $30 USD (with local pricing variations possible).
An enrollment wizard is available to simplify the process, allowing users to “enroll in ESU directly from your personal Windows 10 PC.” The latest Windows 10 update has made this option accessible to millions more users directly from their system settings.
Recent data indicates a shift in operating system adoption. Approximately 47% of all users are currently running Windows 10, while 49% are on Windows 11. This represents a reversal from the previous month’s figures of 43% for Windows 10 and 53% for Windows 11, suggesting that Microsoft’s introduction of the ESU for home users may have influenced the upgrade momentum towards Windows 11.
Windows Central has highlighted a potential privacy advantage for Windows 10 users who opt to remain on the older operating system, at least until October 2026 with the ESU activated. This perspective is particularly relevant given concerns surrounding AI-driven features like Recall in Windows 11, which records and saves desktop activity for analysis and retrieval, including secure messaging platforms.
In contrast, Windows 10 “includes only limited AI features, mainly through Microsoft Edge and the optional Copilot app, both of which you can easily remove or disable. This gives you more control over your system and helps keep it feeling private and less intrusive.” Windows 11, on the other hand, “integrates AI into nearly every update, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down.” While AI integration is becoming increasingly prevalent, not all users are comfortable with the extensive level of integration seen in Windows 11.
