Windows 10 deadline – Oct 2025

Micro$oft will stop supporting Windows 10 on Oct 14th 2025.

After that time all Windows 10 computer users (currently 240 million!) will have to change their computer or at least have made a decision. The main options are:

• Pay Micro$oft (again) for extended support
• Buy a new computer. (And pay Micro$oft for another licence)
• Upgrade your existing computer to Linux.
• Continuue using unsupported M$ Windows. Either Windows 10 without the latest updates or installing Windows 11, bypassing the Micro$oft hardware restrictions.

Whichever choice our members make, JCC will be here to help you decide which is best for you. Come and talk to our helpers!

Options summarised

1. Pay for extended support.
   • Pros – continue using current computer
   • Cons – Cost
2. Buy a new computer.
   • Pros:
     • Shiny new computer
     • Probably faster
     • Also possible to change to Apple, Android or Linux
   • Cons:
     • Cost
     • Need to reinstall programs, copy data and set up new PC
     • Learning curve for new Operating System
     • Your current PC will likely go to Landfill
3. Upgrade your existing computer to Linux.
   • Pros:
     • Cheaper
     • No Ads or Spying or intrusive changes of your settings.
     • PC will run faster and last longer
   • Cons:
     • Some proprietary software not available
     • Learning curve for new Operating System. (But very intuitive options available)
     • Need to copy data and set up as a new PC
4. Unsupported upgrade to Windows 11.
   • Pros:
     • Minimum disruption by changing to Windows 11
   • Cons:
     • Not available for computers more than 15 years old
     • May need to reinstall programs, copy data and set up new PC
     • The upgraded OS may be invalidated at some time in the future by Micro$oft
5. Continue using Windows 10.
   • Pros:
     • continue using current computer without change or extra cost.
   • Cons:
     • The increasing reduction in security protection as time goes on makes this option not reccomendable for most users.

Peter Bayliss

May 2025

Refs.

Can’t upgrade your Windows 10 PC? Here are your options

How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11