Urgent warning to millions of Microsoft customers as support for Windows 10 ends TOMORROW – leaving users without any help if something goes wrong

As Microsoft formally discontinues support for Windows 10 tomorrow, millions of PC owners worldwide are being advised to act immediately.

With an estimated 1.4 billion Windows devices worldwide—including 21 million in the UK—still running the outdated operating system, the move represents one of the biggest software changes in recent memory.

What Happens When Support Ends

Microsoft will no longer provide automatic security and technical updates for Windows 10 after almost ten years of operation.

Since its July 2015 launch, the operating system has benefited from frequent upgrades, bug fixes, and performance enhancements. In order to safeguard users from recently identified cyberthreats, these updates were essential.

These fixes will no longer be available for Windows 10 PCs when official support ends. This implies that any security flaws discovered after tomorrow will not be fixed, giving hackers the chance to take advantage of unprotected devices.

According to a Statcounter analysis, 43% of all Windows PCs were still running Windows 10 as of July 2025. This amounts to hundreds of millions of systems that will soon be much more vulnerable to malware infestations, identity theft, and assaults.

Windows 11 Upgrade Is Free, But Not for Everyone

The company’s most recent operating system, Windows 11, was introduced in 2021, and Microsoft is urging customers to update.

Improved security features, faster performance, and improved connectivity with Microsoft’s cloud services are all included in the free update for supported devices.

But not every device satisfies Windows 11’s stringent hardware requirements. The new system requires certain CPU versions and support for the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, which many older PCs do not have. Millions of people can no longer upgrade without purchasing a new computer as a result.

The consumer advocacy group Which? claims that many households are still not aware of what happens when help ends. 25% of Windows 10 users in the UK have no intentions to update to Windows 11, which means they will soon be running operating systems without security protection, according to a study the group conducted in September.

Which? Tech editor Lisa Barber cautioned users against ignoring the problem.

“Now is the time to find out which version of Windows you’re using on your home laptop or PC,” Barber said. Make a plan of action if the system is running Windows 10 or earlier. You can be more susceptible to frauds and hackers if you do nothing.

Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) are a paid substitute.

Microsoft is providing an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program as a stopgap measure for users who are unable to update. This program enables users to continue getting essential security patches for a further 12 months.

There is no automaticity in the ESU program. Through their settings’ “Updates and Security” section, users must explicitly enroll. According to Microsoft, consumers who agree to sync their device with Windows Backup will receive the service for free. Alternatively, it can be purchased once for £24.99 (or 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points).

The ESU service will be available to business users until October 13, 2026, and will cost $61 (£45.75) per device each year.

Microsoft will stop providing Windows 10 security updates after that date, bringing the operating system’s life cycle to an end. After then, any machines that are still using the program won’t be secured, posing a serious security risk to both people and businesses.

Experts in Cybersecurity Raise the Alarm

Concern over the effects of this shift has grown among security professionals. Cybercriminals frequently target outdated operating systems, taking advantage of known vulnerabilities that are no longer fixed.

Running unsupported systems “is like leaving your front door unlocked for criminals,” warns Dr. Ian Levy, former technical director of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

He clarified that hackers will probably develop new malware and phishing campaigns that target Windows 10 vulnerabilities when they become known to the public.

“Every known exploit becomes permanent once Microsoft stops issuing patches,” Levy stated. “Hackers can use the old ones instead of having to find new ones.”

Ransomware attacks, data theft, and online fraud may rise sharply as a result, especially for small organizations and older people who are less likely to update quickly.

The Cost to the Environment: An Emerging E-Waste Crisis

Environmental organizations are also criticizing the move to discontinue support for Windows 10, claiming that it may result in an increase in electronic waste.

According to the UK-based e-waste charity The Restart Project, around 400 million PCs globally will no longer have software support as of tomorrow. Although many of these computers are still in fine working order, they are unable to meet Windows 11’s technological criteria.

The charity’s co-director, Fiona Dear, stated that the approach runs the risk of causing an unneeded environmental catastrophe.

According to Dear, “that’s a lot of computers that are operating flawlessly, but Microsoft wants their owners to buy a new one.” “This e-waste mountain in the UK and around the world could be avoided if Microsoft simply restored automatic updates to Windows 10.”

According to the Restart Project, replacing these devices would produce more than 700 million kilograms of e-waste, which is the same weight as 70 Eiffel Towers.

In order to lessen the environmental damage, the charity is pleading with Microsoft to change its mind or at the very least continue to support Windows 10 for a number of additional years.

What Users Need to Do Right Away

Experts advise taking the following steps to safeguard your data and lower risk if you’re still using Windows 10:

Verify your version. To verify whether you are running Windows 10, navigate to Settings > System > About.

Check for compatibility: To find out if your computer is capable of running Windows 11, use Microsoft’s PC Health Check utility.

If at all possible, upgrade. For compatible devices, the upgrade is free.

Register for Updates on Extended Security Enroll in the ESU program before the October 2026 deadline if your gadget is incompatible.

Make a backup of your crucial files. Before replacing or upgrading your PC, be sure your data is safe by using an external drive or cloud service.

Be careful when using the internet. Unsupported systems are more susceptible, so stay away from downloading files from unreliable sources and clicking on unknown links.

An Era’s End

In July 2015, Windows 10 was first made available as a “final version” of the operating system that would be updated continuously rather than being replaced. It is still among Microsoft’s most widely used operating systems some ten years later, and users commend it for its performance, stability, and user-friendly design.

Users worldwide must make the difficult decision to upgrade, pay for temporary upgrades, or stop using it completely as it nears the end of its existence.

With hundreds of millions of devices still on Windows 10, the deadline tomorrow is not only the end of an operating system but also a watershed in consumer choice, global cybersecurity, and the expanding discussion about the environmental cost of technological advancement.

We’ve reached out to Microsoft for comment.