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ZDNET's key takeaways
Millions of computers globally are still running Windows 10.
Attackers are ready, willing, and able to exploit unpatched PCs.
Signing up for extended security updates is a crucial step.
Hundreds of millions of computers worldwide are still running Windows 10, months after the one-time king of PC operating systems officially passed its end-of-support deadline.
If you're responsible for one of those machines and you aren't ready to upgrade to Windows 11, you can sign up today for an Extended Security Updates (ESU) subscription -- consumers can get those updates free through October 2026, as I explain here: How to get free Windows 10 security patches on your PC - from now to October 2026.
Also: Windows 10 support officially ends today - and millions of PCs fall off the 'security cliff'
Don't delay, though. History says attackers are ready, willing, and able to exploit unpatched PCs, and the results can be catastrophic. How bad? Let's hop in the Wayback Machine and see what happened the last time a hugely popular Windows version reached its end-of-support date.
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