Khaberni - Microsoft formally drew the curtain on the "Windows 10" operating system era on Tuesday, October 14 (October), announcing the end of technical support and security updates, thus concluding its run.
Over the past decade, the system has been one of the most widely used Windows editions globally, according to the technology-focused "Thomas Guide" website.
Although users' devices will not suddenly stop working with the end of support, experts warn against continuing to use "Windows 10" beyond today, due to the likely gradual exposure to increasing security risks, coinciding with the absence of bug fixes and the end of monthly security updates known as "Patch Tuesday".
What does the end of support mean?
Simply put, the end of support for "Windows 10" means the absence of security updates to counter viruses and malware that infiltrate devices, as well as the absence of technical support from Microsoft for any technical issues.
This also includes depriving the user of enhancements or updates to new features of the system, and over time, modern programs and applications may stop working on the old system, considering it an unsafe or unsupported environment by developers.
The available options
To overcome the issues that arise from lifting the system support, users have three options, and they should start with the first one immediately, as follows:
1- Joining the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program: If users do not have the money now to upgrade or do not have the time, they should quickly subscribe to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program provided by Microsoft.
This program allows continued receipt of security updates for an additional year until October (October) 2026, and to activate it, enter "Settings", then "Update & Security", then "Windows Update", and look for the "Enroll in ESU program" option.
2. Upgrade to "Windows 11": If the device meets the minimum system requirements, upgrading to "Windows 11" is the safest and most stable option, and device eligibility can be checked via (Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > "Check for updates").
If the device is ready, the upgrade message to "Windows 11" will appear directly.
3. Buying a new device: If the current device is not qualified or is performing poorly, perhaps it's time for a change, and it's best to buy a new computer pre-equipped with "Windows 11" which offers a safer experience and faster performance, especially with improvements in artificial intelligence and built-in security in the new system.
Risks of ignoring the upgrade
After Microsoft lifted support for "Windows 10", it doesn’t mean that the device will collapse tomorrow, but the danger will quietly sneak in, making the system more prone to cyberattacks and spyware, and performance will gradually slow down with some applications failing, as well as losing trust from software developers who will stop supporting the old system.
