Windows 10 End of Life: What It Means for You in 2026

Windows 10 EOL (end of life) arrived on 14 October 2025, when Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 Home and Pro. Your PC still starts and runs, but it no longer gets free security updates, feature updates or technical help. Home users can buy one more stretch of security patches through the consumer Extended Security Updates programme, which now runs to 12 October 2027. The long-term fix is moving to Windows 11.

Windows 10 End of Life: Key Dates

These dates come from Microsoft's Windows 10 end of support notice, its consumer ESU page and the Microsoft Lifecycle site. Windows 10, version 22H2 was the final release, so there will be no newer build to update to.

What Does Windows 10 EOL Mean?

End of life means Microsoft has stopped maintaining Windows 10, not that it has switched it off. Microsoft no longer provides three things for standard Home and Pro editions: technical support for any issue, software updates, and security updates or fixes.

The third one matters most. Security updates close vulnerabilities that attackers have found. Each month, newly discovered flaws are patched in Windows 11 and in ESU-enrolled Windows 10 PCs, but not in unenrolled ones. Over time, an unpatched PC becomes an easier target for malware, especially if you browse, open email attachments or use online banking on it.

Will My Windows 10 PC Stop Working?

No, your Windows 10 PC will keep working after end of support. It boots, runs your apps and connects to the internet exactly as before. Nothing is deleted and activation is unaffected.

What changes is the risk profile and, gradually, compatibility. App developers and hardware makers tend to stop testing on an unsupported system, so new software and drivers may eventually stop installing. Microsoft says Microsoft 365 apps still run on Windows 10 and will get security updates until 10 October 2028, but it no longer supports them on that system and recommends upgrading to avoid performance and reliability problems.

How Much Does Windows 10 ESU Cost for Home Users?

The consumer Windows 10 ESU programme costs a one-time $30 (or the local equivalent plus tax), or you can enrol at no extra cost. Microsoft's consumer ESU page lists three ways to enrol:

• At no additional cost, if you sync your PC settings to your Microsoft account using Windows Backup.
• By redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
• With a one-time purchase of $30 USD.

Every option covers you until the programme ends on 12 October 2027, and one ESU licence can be used on up to 10 devices signed in with the same Microsoft account. ESU only delivers critical and important security updates. It doesn't add features, fix non-security bugs or include technical support. Enrolment options can differ by region, including in the European Economic Area.

How Do You Enrol in Windows 10 ESU?

You enrol from Windows Update on the PC itself, provided it meets Microsoft's conditions. The PC must run Windows 10, version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Pro Education or Pro for Workstations), have the latest updates installed, and not be joined to a work domain or managed by an organisation.

1. Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and install any pending updates.
2. Restart, then return to the same page.
3. Select Enroll now in the Extended Security Updates notice.
4. Sign in with your Microsoft account if you're using a local account. The ESU licence is attached to that account.
5. Choose to back up your settings, redeem Rewards points or pay the one-time fee, then follow the prompts.

If you don't see the enrolment link, the PC is usually missing updates, isn't on version 22H2, or is managed by a workplace.

Can Your PC Upgrade to Windows 11?

Your PC can upgrade if it meets the Windows 11 minimum requirements, and for eligible Windows 10 PCs the upgrade is free. The key checks are a supported processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, TPM 2.0 and UEFI firmware that is Secure Boot capable. Microsoft's PC Health Check app tells you which, if any, you fail.

Many PCs that fail the check only need a firmware setting changed. TPM and Secure Boot are often present but switched off. To reach those settings you need to enter the BIOS (the firmware menu, called UEFI on modern PCs) from Windows 10:

1. Open Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.
2. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
3. Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings, then Restart.
4. In the firmware menu, set the boot mode to UEFI rather than Legacy or CSM, and enable TPM (often called Intel PTT or AMD fTPM) and Secure Boot.
5. Save and exit, then run PC Health Check again.

Menu names vary by manufacturer, so check your PC maker's support site if an option isn't where you expect. Microsoft's guide to enabling Secure Boot covers the same steps. One cause-and-effect point to know: switching a disk from Legacy to UEFI boot mode can stop Windows from starting if the drive uses the older MBR partition style, so back up first and check how your drive is set up before you change it.

What Are Your Options If You Need a Windows 11 Licence?

If your Windows 10 PC is activated and eligible, the Windows 11 upgrade uses your existing licence at no cost. You need a new licence when you're building a PC, replacing the motherboard on an OEM-licensed machine, or moving from Home to Pro.

For most home PCs, a Windows 11 Home product key is enough. If you need BitLocker, Remote Desktop hosting or Hyper-V, a Windows 11 Pro key adds them, and both are $49.99 at the time of writing. If you're unsure whether to buy OEM or retail, read our explainer on Windows OEM vs retail licences first, because it decides whether the key can move with you to your next computer.

A Common Mistake We See

A frequent mistake is buying a new PC before checking the firmware on the old one. Plenty of Windows 10 machines from recent years fail the Windows 11 check only because TPM or Secure Boot is disabled in firmware, and a two-minute settings change makes them eligible.

The opposite mistake also happens: people force Windows 11 onto unsupported hardware and then find that updates or drivers misbehave. If the processor itself isn't on Microsoft's supported list, ESU or a new PC is the safer route.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Windows 10 reach end of life?

Windows 10 Home and Pro reached end of support on 14 October 2025. Since then, Microsoft has stopped free security updates, feature updates and technical support for those editions. Home PCs enrolled in the consumer Extended Security Updates programme continue to receive security patches until 12 October 2027.

Is Windows 10 still safe to use in 2026?

It's reasonably safe if the PC is enrolled in ESU, because it still receives critical security fixes. Without ESU, each new vulnerability stays unpatched, so the risk grows month by month. Avoid using an unpatched Windows 10 PC for banking, shopping or sensitive work.

Is the Windows 11 upgrade still free?

Yes. Microsoft states that upgrading an eligible Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 is free. The PC must run Windows 10, version 22H2 and meet the minimum hardware specifications. Check eligibility under Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update or with the PC Health Check app.

How do I enter BIOS on Windows 10?

The most reliable way is through Windows itself. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Recovery, select Restart now under Advanced startup, then choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings. Many PCs also open the firmware menu with a key such as F2, F10 or Delete at power-on.

How do I enable Secure Boot on Windows 10?

Open the UEFI firmware settings from Advanced startup, switch the boot mode to UEFI rather than Legacy or CSM, then turn Secure Boot on. Windows 11 only requires the PC to be Secure Boot capable, but enabling it adds protection against malware that loads before Windows starts.

Does Windows 10 ESU include Microsoft Office updates?

No. Windows 10 ESU covers Windows security updates only. Microsoft 365 apps get their own security updates on Windows 10 until 10 October 2028. Office 2016 and 2019 reached end of support on 14 October 2025, and Office 2021 does so on 13 October 2026.

Conclusion

Windows 10 EOL doesn't stop your PC, but it does leave it unpatched unless you enrol in ESU, which ends on 12 October 2027. Use that time to check eligibility, fix TPM and Secure Boot settings, and plan your move. When you're ready, browse our Windows 11 product keys or follow our Windows 11 Pro install and activation guide.

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