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ZDNET's key takeaways
Windows 10 support ends on Oct. 14, 2025.
You have free and paid options for extended updates.
Doing nothing is not a safe option.
Have you decided what to do with your old Windows 10 PCs when they reach their official end-of-support date in one week?
The official deadline is October 14, 2025. Microsoft is not going to back down at the last minute and offer an extension. The hardware requirements aren't going to change, either. So, if you have a laptop or desktop PC that doesn't pass the compatibility checks, Microsoft will block you from upgrading through Windows Update, and they will encourage you to buy a new PC instead.
Also: How to get free Windows 10 security updates through Oct. 2026
But you have other alternatives, including some new ways to continue getting security updates for an extra year at no cost. Don't procrastinate, though -- if you're responsible for one or more Windows 10 PCs that fail Microsoft's Windows 11 compatibility tests, you need to choose one of these five options soon.
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