Windows 10 Ends of Life, Upgrade To Windows 11

Time's up. After a decade of service, Microsoft is pulling the plug on Windows 10 support tomorrow, October 14, 2025. If you're among the 600 million users still running Windows 10—that's 43% of all Windows devices globally—you're about to face a critical decision that affects your computer's security, functionality, and future.

Here's the reality: Your Windows 10 PC won't suddenly stop working tomorrow. But without security updates, you're essentially leaving your front door unlocked in a neighborhood where cyber threats are constantly evolving. Recent months have seen devastating ransomware attacks on businesses ranging from major retailers to car manufacturers, and even a nursery chain fell victim. Your personal computer could be next.

The good news? You have options—and most of them are completely free.

What Actually Happens When Support Ends?

Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025, with version 22H2 being the final version, marking the end of an era for Microsoft's most popular operating system. But what does "end of support" really mean for you?

Starting tomorrow, Microsoft will:

• Stop releasing monthly security patches that protect against new vulnerabilities
• End technical support for Windows 10 issues
• Cease developing new features or improvements
• No longer provide bug fixes or performance updates

Your computer will:

• Continue to boot up and run normally
• Keep all your installed programs and files intact
• Still connect to the internet and run existing software
• Gradually become more vulnerable to malware, viruses, and security exploits

The real danger isn't immediate—it's cumulative. Every day without security updates increases your risk of infection. Third-party software developers will also start dropping Windows 10 support, meaning your favorite apps may lose functionality or stop receiving updates entirely.

Nathan Proctor, senior director at U.S. consumer group PIRG, didn't mince words: "The end of support for Windows 10 is shaping up to be a disaster for both consumers and the environment."

Can Your PC Run Windows 11? Here's How to Check

Before panicking or rushing to buy a new computer, determine whether your current PC can handle Windows 11. Microsoft has strict hardware requirements that have frustrated many users, but checking compatibility takes less than five minutes.

Download Microsoft's PC Health Check Tool:

• Visit the official PC Health Check support page at Microsoft.com
• Download and install the free compatibility checker
• Launch the app and click "Check now"
• Review the results to see if your PC meets the minimum requirements

The Three Deal-Breakers:

Your computer needs all three of these to officially run Windows 11:

• TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): A security chip that's often the reason older PCs get rejected
• Secure Boot enabled: A BIOS setting that prevents unauthorized operating systems from loading
• Compatible processor: Generally, Intel 8th generation (2017) or AMD Ryzen 2000 series (2017) and newer

If your PC gets a green light, congratulations—you can upgrade for free right now. If it fails the check, don't despair. You still have viable options that don't involve spending hundreds of dollars on new hardware.

Three Free Ways to Upgrade to Windows 11 (Official Microsoft Methods)

If your PC meets the requirements, Microsoft offers three legitimate paths to Windows 11—all completely free. Choose the method that matches your technical comfort level.

Method 1: Windows Update (The Easiest Route)

This is the simplest approach for most users. Windows does the heavy lifting automatically.

Step-by-step process:

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I)
2. Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update
3. Click "Check for updates"
4. If Windows 11 appears, click "Download and Install"
5. Let the installation complete (this may take 30-60 minutes)
6. Restart when prompted
7. Complete the Windows 11 setup wizard

Your files, apps, and settings transfer automatically. You can continue working during most of the download process, though your PC will restart several times during installation.

Method 2: Installation Assistant (When Windows Update Doesn't Show It)

Sometimes Windows 11 doesn't appear in Windows Update even for compatible PCs. The Installation Assistant provides a direct upgrade path, and it's free from Microsoft.

Installation steps:

1. Visit Microsoft's official Download Windows 11 page
2. Find the "Windows 11 Installation Assistant" section
3. Click "Download now"
4. Run the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file
5. Click "Accept and install"
6. Continue using your PC while it downloads
7. Restart when the 30-minute countdown begins (or restart immediately)
8. Sign in to complete the Windows 11 setup

The Installation Assistant preserves your personal files and applications during the upgrade process.

Method 3: Media Creation Tool (For Multiple PCs or Clean Installs)

This method is ideal if you're upgrading several computers or prefer having physical installation media. It also gives you more control over the installation process.

Note: As of October 10, there's a bug in the Media Creation Tool that may cause it to close unexpectedly. Microsoft is working on a fix. In the meantime, you can download the ISO file directly (see Method 4 below).

When it's working again:

1. Go to the Download Windows 11 page
2. Locate "Create Windows 11 Installation Media"
3. Click "Download now" and run MediaCreationTool.exe
4. Accept the license terms
5. Confirm your language and Windows edition
   
6. Choose either:
• USB flash drive (requires at least 8GB of space)
• ISO file (to burn to DVD or mount later)
  
7. Let the tool download and create your installation media
8. Run setup.exe from the USB drive or mounted ISO file
9. Follow the on-screen prompts
10. Select "Keep personal files and apps" when asked
11. Complete the installation

This method is particularly useful for IT professionals managing multiple machines or users who want backup installation media.

Bonus Method: Direct Windows 11 ISO Download

You can download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft Support and perform the upgrade yourself. This gives you maximum flexibility and control.

Download and install:

1. Visit the Microsoft Support Download Windows 11 page
2. Scroll to "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)"
   
3. Select Windows 11 from the dropdown menu
4. Choose your product language
   
5. Click "Confirm" then "Download"
6. After downloading, double-click the ISO file to mount it
7. Double-click setup.exe inside the mounted drive
8. Click "Next" to check for updates
9. Review the "Ready to Install" screen
10. Click "Install" to begin the upgrade

The entire ISO file is approximately 5-6GB, so ensure you have a stable internet connection and sufficient disk space.

What If Your PC Can't Run Windows 11? You're Not Out of Options

Failed the compatibility check? You're not alone. Conservative estimates suggest over 240 million Windows 10 PCs worldwide don't meet Windows 11's requirements—perfectly functional computers deemed "obsolete" by Microsoft's arbitrary hardware restrictions.

But here's what Microsoft doesn't advertise prominently: You can extend Windows 10 support for free until October 2026.

Microsoft recently expanded its ESU program to offer free extended support through October 13, 2026. That's an additional 12 months of critical security patches—not feature updates, but the essential protections that keep your PC safe.

Installing Windows 11 on "Incompatible" PCs

Here's a great method where you can install Windows 11 on PCs that don't officially meet the requirements using a free tool called Rufus. This bypasses the TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and RAM checks.

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO file
2. Download and install the free Rufus utility from rufus.ie
3. Insert a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of free space.
   Note: It will be completely erased, so backup your data to another system.
4. Launch Rufus
5. Click "SELECT" and choose your Windows 11 ISO file
   
6. Ensure "Standard Windows installation" is selected under Image option
7. Verify the correct USB drive is selected in the Device field
8. Click "START"
9. Check the box: "Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0"
   
10. Click "OK" twice to create your modified installation media

Installation Process - 

1. Insert the USB drive into your Windows 10 PC
2. Boot your device from USB, to do this you need to open BIOS setting and select boot device as USB, and press F10 to Save and Exit.
   
3. Now your device will restart and boot from USB. Simply follow all the standard installtion procedure and you are good to go.
   ELSE - Try this
4. Insert the USB drive into your Windows 10 PC
5. Open USB drive files from File Explorer and run setup.exe
6. Follow the installation prompts
7. Select "Keep personal files and apps"
8. Complete the Windows 11 setup

Thousands of users have successfully installed Windows 11 this way on older hardware without issues. However, proceed at your own risk and always back up your data first.

The Bottom Line: Act Now, Don't Wait

Windows 10 has served hundreds of millions of users faithfully for a decade, but its time is up. The security risks of running an unsupported operating system are real and growing.

Your best move? If your PC is compatible, upgrade to Windows 11 today. The process takes 30-90 minutes, it's completely free, and you'll maintain security and software compatibility going forward.

If your PC isn't compatible, enroll in Extended Security Updates immediately. That free year of protection gives you breathing room to explore your options without rushing into an expensive purchase you might regret.

Whatever you choose, don't ignore this deadline. Your computer's security, your personal data, and your peace of mind depend on making an informed decision before support ends.

The clock isn't just ticking—it stops tomorrow. Don't be part of the 240 million users left vulnerable. Take action today.