Support for Windows 10 officially ended on October 14, 2025, yet many users still haven’t moved to Windows 11. During a recent Q3 earnings call, Dell COO Jeffrey Clarke highlighted the significant gap: an estimated 500 million PCs that can run Windows 11 have yet to be upgraded.
Clarke also noted a second large group—another 500 million devices that simply don’t meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements. When you combine both groups, you end up with a massive number of computers now running an operating system that no longer receives full support.
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the end of support and its implications for Windows 10 users.
What does the end of support for Windows 10 mean?
When support ended, Windows 10 stopped receiving:
- Security patches
- Bug fixes
- Feature updates or improvements
The OS still functions, but without ongoing maintenance, it becomes increasingly vulnerable to security threats, system failures, and compatibility issues with newer applications and drivers.
What will happen to PCs that don’t upgrade to Windows 11?
Devices that stay on Windows 10 face several risks:
- Higher exposure to malware and cyberattacks due to missing security patches.
- Outdated apps and tools, since many developers will stop updating their Windows 10 versions.
- Gradual loss of stability and performance, as future features and optimisations target Windows 11 and later versions.
Over time, everyday use, especially online activities, becomes less safe and less reliable.
Is there a way to extend support for Windows 10?
Yes—Microsoft offers the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
This option provides an additional one year of critical security updates, extending support until October 13, 2026.
It doesn’t add new features or performance improvements, but it helps keep the system protected while users or organisations plan their upgrade path.
