Windows 10 Support Ends, But Many Users Still Refuse to Upgrade

Microsoft's Windows 10 support officially ended on October 14, 2025, but an Extended Security Updates program has extended this deadline to October 12, 2027. Despite this, many users are still running the outdated operating system, with over a quarter of PCs still using Windows 10.

The main reason for holding off on updating is the poor reception of Windows 11, which was released in 2021 and has been plagued by bugs and AI issues. Additionally, some users may be running unsupported hardware or struggling to upgrade due to computer hardware shortages and price hikes.

For those who choose not to update, there are concerns about the security of their system. Security certificates issued in 2011 will expire in June, July, or October 2026, potentially leaving systems vulnerable to malware attacks. However, Microsoft is renewing these expired certificates through Windows software updates for eligible machines.

For those who do not want to update to Windows 11, alternatives such as Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS are available. Linux has seen a surge in popularity, with its global market share surpassing 4.7% in 2025 and 5% in the United States alone.