Microsoft is ending software updates for Windows 10

From October 14, Microsoft will end its support for Windows 10, experts believe it will impact around 400 million computers, exposing them to cyber threats. People and groups worldwide are requesting that Microsoft extend its free support. 

According to recent research, 40.8% of desktop users still use Windows 10. This means around 600 million PCs worldwide use Windows 10. Soon, most of them will not receive software updates, security fixes, or technical assistance. 

400 million PCs will be impacted

Experts believe that these 400 million PCs will continue to work even after October 14th because hardware upgrades won’t be possible in such a short duration. 

“When support for Windows 8 ended in January 2016, only 3.7% of Windows users were still using it. Only 2.2% of Windows users were still using Windows 8.1 when support ended in January 2023,” PIRG said. PIGR has also called this move a “looming security disaster.”

What can Windows users do?

The permanent solution is to upgrade to Windows 11. But there are certain hardware requirements when you want to upgrade, and most users will not be able to upgrade as they will have to buy new PCs with compatible hardware. 

But Microsoft has offered few free options for personal users, if you use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. Users can also back up their data to the Windows Backup cloud service to get a free upgrade. If this impacts you, you can earn these points via Microsoft services such as Xbox games, store purchases, and Bing searches. But this will take time, and users don’t have it, unfortunately. 

The only viable option for users is to pay $30 (around Rs 2,650) for an Extended Security Updates (ESU) plan, but it will only work for one year.

According to PIGR, “Unless Microsoft changes course, users will face the choice between exposing themselves to cyberattacks or discarding their old computers and buying new ones. The solution is clear: Microsoft must extend free, automatic support.”