Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, meaning devices will no longer receive security updates. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 at no cost, but not all devices will meet the upgrade requirements. As of July 2025, approximately 43% of over 1.4 billion Windows devices were still using Windows 10, with around 21 million users in the UK. A quarter of these users plan to continue using Windows 10 after support ends, while one in seven are considering new devices. Users can either upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in a program for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for an additional 12 months, which requires having the latest version of Windows 10 and a Microsoft account. ESU will not include technical support or additional software updates. The lack of security updates will increase vulnerability to cyber threats, and businesses may struggle with regulatory compliance.