Windows 10 End-of-Life: What to know before October 14th, 2025

Microsoft will “end” support for Windows 10 machines next Tuesday – but with a catch.

What does this mean for consumers and businesses still running devices that aren’t upgrade eligible to Windows 11?

With the end of support of Windows 10 nearing, people may have some questions on what that means. When a version of Windows is discontinued, this means that the operating system will no longer get feature or security updates. This makes your computer more vulnerable to attacks, malware and viruses infecting your computer as attackers find backdoors through the software as it is no longer being updated.

Microsoft has announced that they will support Windows 10 Security Updates for one more year. This is applicable as long as you meet one of three of their specific criteria’s:

1. Sync your computer to OneDrive: You will be required to log into a Microsoft account, accept their Terms & Conditions and backup your data to OneDrive cloud storage. Microsoft offers a free tier that includes 5GB of storage. If 5GB is not enough space, you’ll need to pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription. There are 3 different plans depending on your needs at 3 different price points, ranging from $19 per year to $129 per year.
2. Redeem Microsoft Rewards Points: Spend 1,000 points in the Microsoft Store to get the 1 Year Extended License.
3. Pay an Extended License Fee: Pay a one time $30 fee which will extend support for Windows 10 until October 13th, 2026.

What makes the most sense now that Windows 10 will no longer be supported?

If you’re on the fence on what to do next week, the easiest solution for you may be to pay the $30 for the additional license. Alternatively, subscribe to OneDrive if you’re already using Microsoft’s cloud storage option. You can also check if your current computer will support Windows 11 by visiting this link. If you’re already in the market for a new computer, upgrading to a new computer that is already Windows 11 compatible is another great option.

If you’re in the market for a new computer, Repowered offers laptop and desktop computers with Windows 11 preinstalled. This allows you to skip the hassle of figuring out which computers will support it. You can stop into our Retail Store for questions on what Windows 11 computer is right for you, or shop online!