Plenty of home computers are still running Windows 10, and that's fine for now — as long as you've done one thing. Here's how to check, and how to plan what comes next.
Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10 in October 2025. Your computer didn't stop working, and it won't. What stopped was the free stream of security fixes — the patches that close holes criminals find. Without them, a computer gets a little riskier every month, especially for email, banking and shopping.
Microsoft runs a programme called Extended Security Updates (ESU) that keeps home PCs on Windows 10 getting those security fixes. In June 2026 it was extended again, so enrolled home PCs are now covered until 12 October 2027.
The catch is you have to be enrolled. To check:
A word of warning: nobody legitimate will phone you about Windows 10 updates. Calls or pop-ups saying your Windows has "expired" and offering to fix it are scams. See what to do if you've had one.
The ESU is a stopgap. The long-term answer is Windows 11, which is a free upgrade if your computer can run it. On the same Windows Update screen, Windows will usually tell you whether yours is eligible. Microsoft's free PC Health Check app will also tell you.
As a rough guide, most computers bought from about 2019 onwards can upgrade, and many older ones can't. If yours can, it's worth doing while the ESU gives you breathing room. Make sure your photos and files are backed up first.
I can check whether you're enrolled in the updates, whether your PC can take Windows 11, and do the upgrade safely with your files backed up first. That's usually a fix-it visit (£59), or remotely for less. If it's time for a new computer, my setup and data transfer (£99) moves everything across, so you're not starting from scratch.
Written by Rich, Cumulus Technologies, Bournemouth.
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