Nvidia has made a significant announcement regarding its support for users of Windows 10 and older graphics cards. In a recent update, the company confirmed that it will continue to provide Game Ready drivers for one year following the end-of-life date for Windows 10, which is set for October 14, 2025. This extension allows gamers additional time to transition to newer operating systems without sacrificing performance.
Support for Legacy Graphics Cards
In a move that will be welcomed by many, Nvidia also stated that users with Maxwell, Volta, and Pascal graphics cards will receive security updates for an extended period of three years. This decision was detailed in the patch notes for the 580.88 graphics driver, released on July 31. Notably, gamers utilizing RTX cards can look forward to day-one optimizations for games launching in 2026, even if they continue to operate on Windows 10 post-support.
The backdrop to this announcement is Microsoft’s controversial decision to phase out Windows 10, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. Despite Windows 11 now surpassing its predecessor in user adoption, a significant number of devices still do not meet the new operating system’s requirements, leaving many users in a challenging position.
Implications for Gamers
While most systems and applications are expected to function after the official deadline, users may find themselves increasingly vulnerable to security risks and lacking access to new features. For instance, Square Enix has indicated that its popular MMO, Final Fantasy XIV, will cease official support for Windows 10 after October. Although the game is likely to remain playable, any issues related to the older OS will not be addressed by the company.
Interestingly, Nvidia’s one-year extension aligns with Microsoft’s own offer to prolong Windows 10 support for an additional year for users who enroll in Windows Backup, which facilitates automatic file uploads to OneDrive. Users can also opt for Extended Security Updates, available for or 1,000 rewards points, to maintain support until October 2026.
Future of Older GPUs
In terms of hardware, Nvidia has confirmed that it will release its final drivers for Maxwell, Volta, and Pascal GPUs in October 2025. Despite this, these cards, including the popular GTX 1060 and the robust 1080 Ti, will continue to receive quarterly security updates until October 2028. While older games will maintain their performance, users of pre-RTX graphics cards may experience a gradual decline in performance with newer game releases.
The recent 580.88 driver also introduces Game Ready optimizations for the upcoming title Mafia: The Old Country, set to launch on August 7, and features DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, further enhancing the gaming experience for users across various platforms.
