support deadline Archives

Winsage

July 21, 2026

One in six PCs still run Windows 10, and they’re far less secure than Windows 11

Windows 10 officially reached its end of support in October 2025. Windows 11 has a 78.8% share of Windows devices, while Windows 10 maintains 16.9%. A typical Windows 10 device has an average of 1,903 active Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), compared to 652 on Windows 11, with 66.6% of Windows 10 vulnerabilities rated as high or critical. Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program has been extended until October 12, 2027, providing critical security patches for eligible Windows 10 devices. The rise in memory and storage prices has made older Windows 10-compatible hardware more economically viable for some users.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

The Windows 10 hangover is becoming a security problem

Windows 11 is currently operating on 78.8% of Windows devices, while Windows 10 holds a 16.9% share. Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, making it vulnerable to security threats. Eligible Windows 10 devices can receive Extended Security Updates (ESU) until October 12, 2027, through a paid program, with free ESU available for users in the European Economic Area until October 14, 2026. Approximately 21.4% of devices in small and medium-sized businesses and 16.6% in large organizations still run Windows 10, often due to budget constraints. Devices in industries like healthcare and manufacturing are particularly slow to adopt Windows 11. Windows 10 devices face nearly three times the number of active vulnerabilities compared to Windows 11, with 66.6% rated as high or critical. About 2.8% of Windows 10 systems do not meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. A total of 18.7% of Windows devices are running unsupported operating systems, with 22.2% on versions that will reach end of support within six months, totaling 40.9% of systems that are unsupported or soon to be. The consumer ESU program will expire on October 12, 2027, after which many devices will transition to unsupported status.

Winsage

June 17, 2026

Google’s £3 upgrade for Windows is finally back in stock

Google, in collaboration with Back Market, is offering a USB memory stick that allows users to install the free ChromeOS Flex operating system on their existing PCs and Macs. This initiative aims to provide a cost-effective alternative for Windows 10 users, especially after Microsoft ceased support for the operating system in October 2022. The USB kits, designed for easy installation, have sold out quickly since their launch. ChromeOS Flex offers essential security updates and is designed to run on hardware originally intended for Windows and macOS, although it does not support Android apps or Windows virtual machines. The initiative also emphasizes environmental benefits by extending the life of existing devices and reducing e-waste.

Winsage

April 1, 2026

US PC sales grow by 3% in late 2025 as companies and consumers scrambled to replace Windows 10 — 2026 forecast sees 13% drop as storage and memory prices expected to climb another 60%

In the fourth quarter of 2025, U.S. PC shipments increased by 3% year-on-year, totaling 18.2 million units. This growth was driven by seasonal holiday demand, the need to upgrade aging Windows 10 computers, and retailers securing inventory ahead of supply chain challenges due to a chip shortage. The overall PC market in 2025 also grew by 3%, reversing declines from the previous two quarters. Commercial sector shipments rose by 6% to 8.2 million units, supported by holiday spending and a shift to more affordable products, as enterprises migrated to Windows 11 before the end-of-support deadline for Windows 10. However, Omdia predicts a 13% contraction in PC shipments for 2026 due to rising RAM and storage costs, alongside CPU shortages from Intel and AMD. The entry-level PC market may face significant challenges, potentially diminishing by 2028. Despite declining shipment numbers, the market value is expected to rise due to price increases from supply constraints. Omdia forecasts a rebound in 2027, with shipments projected to grow by 7% to exceed 66 million units, still below the 71.5 million units recorded in 2025.

Winsage

March 19, 2026

Windows 11 Pro Lifetime License Drops To $12.97

Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, which is a 93% discount from Microsoft's standard price of 9. The minimum system requirements for Windows 11 include a 1GHz or faster 64-bit CPU with at least two cores, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, TPM 2.0, and UEFI with Secure Boot. Windows 10 is nearing its end of support, meaning it will no longer receive security updates, which poses risks for users. Windows 11 includes features like BitLocker, Remote Desktop, Group Policy management, and AI-assisted Copilot. Users upgrading from Windows 10 should back up their files and ensure drivers are current. Windows 11 offers performance enhancements for gaming, such as DirectStorage and Auto HDR. Keys priced low are often OEM or volume-license keys tied to a single machine and may not be transferable.

Winsage

February 25, 2026

Microsoft gives Windows laggards the ‘gift of time’ wrapped in licensing fees

Microsoft is offering up to three years of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for older Windows installations, with the expectation of compensation. Most major versions of Windows 10 will reach end of support by 2025, while Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB and Windows IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016 will end support on October 13, 2026, and Windows Server 2016 will conclude support on January 12, 2027. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows Server 2025 for Windows Server 2016 users. The pricing for ESU for Windows 10 2016 LTSB starts at a specified amount per device for the first year, with expected increases in subsequent years. Customers using Intune or Windows Autopatch may receive a reduced rate. There is no official pricing for Windows Server 2016 ESU, creating uncertainty for administrators. Historically, Microsoft has charged a premium for extended support, with previous ESU costs for Windows Server 2012 being 100 percent of the full license price for the first year. The final cost of ESU will depend on each organization’s licensing agreement.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Still relying on Windows 10? How YOU can secure free PC updates from Microsoft to stay safe this year

Microsoft has concluded support for Windows 10, with over 44% of PC users still operating on the OS. This poses potential risks for users, particularly as the end-of-support deadline approaches on October 14, 2025, when Microsoft will stop issuing free updates, increasing vulnerability to cyber threats. Microsoft has introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, offering security patches until October 13, 2026, at a cost of £22 for individual users and starting at £45 for businesses, with prices doubling in subsequent years. Users can also access ESU benefits through Microsoft Rewards Points or by performing a Windows Backup via OneDrive, which has a 5GB free limit. Research suggests that around 5 million individuals in the UK could be at risk due to continued reliance on Windows 10. The ESU program is available for users with Windows 10 devices running version 22H2.

Winsage

December 15, 2025

Still running Windows 10? Here’s why that’s a bad idea

Hundreds of millions of computers are still using Windows 10, despite it reaching its end-of-support deadline. An Extended Security Updates (ESU) subscription is available for free until October 2026, providing updates to help protect against security threats. By early 2021, around 100 million PCs were still running Windows 7, which had ceased receiving updates in January 2020, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks from groups like Digital Shadows, LockBit, Conti, and Vice Society. Notable incidents include the PrintNightmare flaw in July 2021, which led Microsoft to issue a patch for Windows 7, and the WannaCry attack in 2017, which targeted Windows XP machines. Microsoft releases monthly security fixes, and vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-62215, identified in November 2025, have been categorized as "Exploitation Detected." While current vulnerabilities require local access, history suggests that remote attacks may soon occur, posing severe risks to unpatched systems.

Winsage

December 2, 2025

Defra moved thousands of PCs to Windows 11, not Windows 10

The UK's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that it upgraded its laptops from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as part of a £312 million investment to replace 31,500 outdated Windows 7 devices. The upgrade to Windows 11 was completed by March 2025, ahead of the Windows 10 support deadline on October 14, 2025. Defra acknowledged a factual inaccuracy in its previous communications regarding the IT modernization efforts.

Winsage

November 28, 2025

Is Windows 11 fighting a losing battle? Dell underlines how unpopular the OS is after support ended compared to Windows 10

Dell's Chief Operating Officer, Jeffrey Clarke, reported a 10% to 12% lag in the migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11 compared to previous adoption rates. Approximately 500 million PCs are incompatible with Windows 11 due to its stringent system requirements. Dell has seen an increase in PC sales for 2025 but anticipates flat sales in 2026 due to rising component costs and supply chain issues. The slow uptake of Windows 11 may lead consumers to retain their Windows 10 machines or consider alternatives like Linux or macOS. Microsoft is providing extended support for Windows 10 until October 2026, allowing users more time to decide on upgrades. The future pace of migration to Windows 11 may be influenced by Microsoft's integration of AI functionalities.