An urgent warning has been issued to millions of Microsoft users ahead of a major software change.
As of tomorrow, Microsoft will officially end support for the Windows 10 operating system.
That means the software will no longer receive automatic technical and security updates.
With an estimated 21 million people in the UK alone still using Windows 10, this could put millions of devices at risk of being compromised by hackers.
Microsoft is offering the chance to update compatible devices to the more recent Windows 11 software for free.
However, many older devices may not be compatible with this operating system.
Users also have the option to sign up to receive extended security updates for the next 12 months.
But once that period is up, customers with outdated machines will either need to buy a new computer or face the risk of being hacked.
From tomorrow, Microsoft will end support for Windows 10, leaving up to 21 million users in the UK without security support
Windows is the world’s most popular operating system, used by about 1.4 billion devices around the world.
Of those devices, about 43 per cent were still using Windows 10 as of July 2025, according to Statcounter data.
Windows 10 was released in 2015 and has been periodically updated with bug fixes and security updates since then.
Those security updates are particularly important since they fix known weaknesses in Windows’ systems.
If your computer is not updated to the latest version, cybercriminals can use these known exploits to easily gain access to your personal data.
When support ends for Windows 10, those security flaws will stop being fixed, and any computer still running the software will be vulnerable.
A poll conducted by Which? in September found that a quarter of the 21 million people still using Windows 10 did not plan to update to Windows 11.
With so many devices still running Windows 10, there is a serious risk that many people may suddenly find themselves exposed to hacking.
After tomorrow, security flaws and vulnerabilities in Windows 10 will not be fixed. That means anyone still using the older software will be vulnerable to cyberattacks and malware
Lisa Barber, editor of Which? Tech, says: ‘If you have a home laptop or PC running Windows, now is the time to check which version you’re using and if it’s Windows 10 or older, make a plan of action.
‘If you don’t act, you could become more vulnerable to hackers and scams.’
If your device is not compatible with Windows 11, you will have the option to keep getting limited security updates by signing up for ‘Extended Security Updates’.
This option will provide a year of ongoing security patches, but no software or other technical support.
However, enrolment in this programme is not automatic, and you will need to sign up via the ‘Updates and Security’ section of your device settings.
The service is available for free if you agree to sync your PC settings with Windows Back up, and as a one–time purchase of £24.99 or 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
For commercial organisations, the Extended Security Updates service will cost £58 per device.
Users can sign up any time before the 12–month period ends on 13 October 2026.
If you can’t update to Windows 11, Microsoft is offering a year of limited security patches with the Extended Security Updates service. However, this is an opt–in service and you will need to sign up to get protected
However, beyond this period, any device still using Windows 10 will cease to receive security updates.
Faced with this, many customers may need to purchase a new computer capable of running Windows 11.
Which? polling suggests that around one in seven people intend to buy a new laptop in order to upgrade to the latest software.
Fiona Dear, Co–Director of e–waste charity The Restart Project, says: ‘That’s a lot of computers that are working perfectly fine, except Microsoft wants their owners to buy a new one.’
The Restart Project estimates that around 400 million computers around the world are set to lose software support tomorrow, all of which will eventually need to be replaced.
As a result, the charity predicts that these discarded computers could generate over 700 million kg of e–waste.
Ms Dear says: ‘Just by restoring automatic updates to Windows 10, Microsoft could avert this e–waste mountain in the UK and around the world.’
Microsoft has been contacted for comment.
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