If you find yourself among the 850 million Microsoft users who have chosen to remain with Windows 10, despite the company’s persistent nudges towards Windows 11, there is a new option available. For a fee of , you can extend the end of support for Windows 10 by an additional year, pushing it back to October 2026. However, it’s important to note that Microsoft has made it clear that this extension is a temporary reprieve, and the push towards Windows 11 will not relent.
Microsoft’s Shift in Support Strategy
Recent findings from Neowin reveal that Microsoft is increasingly discouraging users from downloading Windows 10, even from official channels. The company’s website is now adorned with cautionary messages regarding the impending end of life (EOL) for Windows 10, signaling a definitive shift in their support strategy.
For those needing to install Windows, the support articles have undergone significant changes. They now feature distinct subsections for Windows 11 and Windows 10, while links to download older versions like Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 have been removed. The Windows 10 section now includes a prominent banner warning users about its end of support, accompanied by encouragement to transition to Windows 11.
While it is still possible to download Windows 10, the emphasis is unmistakably on the recommendation to move away from it. The official guidance states, “Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025.” After this date, Microsoft will cease to provide free software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for the operating system. Although your PC will continue to function, the company strongly advises users to upgrade to Windows 11.
This latest maneuver by Microsoft is part of a broader strategy to expedite the transition to Windows 11, which has historically lagged behind previous operating system upgrades. Encouragingly, the adoption rate for Windows 11 has seen a noticeable uptick, with approximately 50 million users making the switch in just the past two months. However, this still leaves around 850 million users on Windows 10, with an estimated 400 million of those likely operating on hardware that does not meet the new system requirements. Additionally, there are about 50 million users still on older, unsupported versions of the OS, complicating their potential upgrade paths.
As previously noted, the 12-month extension for those willing to pay merely postpones the inevitable transition. Windows 10 is nearing its conclusion, and users must consider upgrading to ensure their hardware is compliant with the required TPM 2.0 standards. In light of the ongoing stream of Windows vulnerabilities, this is not a moment to remain on an unsupported platform. Looking ahead, 2025 may present an opportune time to invest in a new PC, as the landscape of technology continues to evolve.
