The end is nigh. In two days, Microsoft is poised to cut support for Windows 10. The tech giant has doubled down on its campaigned designed to urge users to upgrade to Windows 11. And as it seems, the strategy might be working, as Windows 11 surpassed Windows 10 as the most dominant desktop operating system in the world in July, with 50.88% of the Windows market share.
Users have cited Microsoft's stringent hardware system requirements and flawed design elements as the main issues preventing them from upgrading to Windows 11. While the operating system has seemingly gained some traction, Windows 7 gained almost 10% market share in the last month as Windows 10's end-of-life approaches.
This might just be an anomaly, but the timing is impeccable and could be a subtle hint that users would rather give Windows 7 another try, despite Microsoft ending support for the operating system, including ESU updates, than upgrade to Windows 11.
Recently, Microsoft announced the final shutdown date for Windows 10 support, which has been pending for a long time. According to the tech giant, it will pull the plug on the old version of Windows starting from October 14, 2025.
After the mentioned date, all the users who are still on the older version will not get any technical upgrades, new features, or security patches.
However, EVP and Consumer CMO at Microsoft, Yusuf Mehdi, has suggested the path ahead for all the Windows 10 users.
According to Mehdi, all the systems running on Windows 10 will keep functioning properly even after the end of support. The main issue here will be that the device will be vulnerable to security threats, as Microsoft will not release any security patches in the future for Windows 10. But to make the transition easy for the users, Microsoft is offering updates for its Defender Antivirus until October 2028, which ensures protection from low-level threats.
In addition, Microsoft has also introduced the Extended Security Update (ESU) program starting from October 15, 2025. For a single device, Microsoft offers three ESU tiers: free Windows Back, free Microsoft Reward points, or an annual subscription of $30. For all the business accounts, the same thing will cost $61 per device and will be renewable for up to three years.
So, What You Need to understand here is that Windows 10 will be available, but soon it will be obsolete. Because of this, it is suggested to all users to slowly and steadily transition of the Windows 11 operating system for reasons like convenience and data security.
The main reason behind the support shutdown for Windows 10 is simple: Microsoft is aggressively pushing Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs. As claimed by Microsoft, the company has witnessed around a 62% reduction in security-related issues in Windows 11 as compared to its predecessor. The update also promises around 50 per cent faster workflows.
While the chances of Microsoft reconsidering its decision to cut support Windows 10 seems highly unlikely, the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) isn't letting up. It is doubling down in its efforts on its petition, urging Microsoft to extend support for Windows 10 beyond October 14, 2025.
The group claims Microsoft's "End of 10" move could render up to 400 million PCs obsolete, leading to a huge spike in electronic waste coupled with increased cybersecurity threats.
For those who store their personal data on Microsoft - whether it be passwords, addresses or bank card details - and aren't thinking about making the switch to Windows 11, you will be leaving yourself vulnerable to having your data stolen by hackers.
Windows 11 offers clear improvements in security and performance — on the right hardware. On older machines, the experience can lag or stutter, even when technically compatible. Users report slower boot times and heavier background processes. The very efficiency that defined Windows 10 feels diluted.
The differences aren’t purely technical. They represent a change in philosophy. Windows 10 was a tool; Windows 11 feels like a service. Its integration of ads, AI assistants, and background connectivity creates an experience where control feels partial. For users who prefer to shape their environment — tweak registries, disable telemetry, choose privacy — this shift feels suffocating. It’s not resistance to change; it’s resistance to losing agency.
From a strategic standpoint, Microsoft’s timing makes sense. The company is realigning around AI, cloud computing, and enterprise solutions. Its Copilot initiative promises productivity gains through machine learning integration, and Windows 11 serves as the gateway. In this vision, the desktop is not the end product but the conduit.
But it’s a risky calculation. User goodwill is a fragile currency. For a generation that grew up with Windows 10 as their default workspace, the system represents reliability, not innovation fatigue. Alienating that group could fracture loyalty in the same way the Windows 8 experiment once did.
Two days before the cutoff, millions of users stand at a crossroads. Each path carries trade-offs:
Staying on Windows 10 preserves familiarity but exposes security vulnerabilities. It’s viable for offline setups or low-risk devices, though hardly sustainable.
Upgrading to Windows 11 means embracing Microsoft’s vision of cloud integration and AI assistance, with the comfort of ongoing support but the cost of system overhead and reduced privacy.
Switching to Linux or alternative OSes offers control and transparency, though at the expense of compatibility with mainstream software.
For the first time in years, significant numbers are exploring that third option. Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Zorin OS are experiencing renewed attention, partly because they feel closer to what Windows once was: user-driven and unobtrusive.
Manufacturers are responding too. Some PC makers now offer Linux pre-installs, a small but notable shift that hints at market diversification.
