As with all Microsoft operating systems there is an end of life date for Microsoft support including security updates.
In the past a Microsoft Server operating system had a life of around 10 years. It is no different for Windows 10. So when is the exact EOL date for Windows 10?
Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. The current version, 22H2, will be the final version of Windows 10, and all editions will remain in support with monthly security update releases through that date.Although October 2025 may seem like plenty of time to upgrade it is certainly worth creating a plan and budget for the upgrade in very good time.
Why do I need to upgrade?
If your PC or laptop is running Windows 10 (find out how to know below) it will continue to work after this date although it will cease to receive security updates and other products will also likely cease to provide support for running on Windows 10 so it is very much a priority to upgrade to ensure your system stays secure and supported.
The EOL date will be well known and therefore criminals will be targeting any vulnerabilities found in the Windows 10 operating system as it will likely be the most popular unpatched system at the time. If you remain on the Windows 10 operating system you can expect not to be compliant with various standards including any cyber insurance so not only could you be in a vulnerable position but you could be at risk of not being covered for any cyber attacks.
What next?
The best course of action is to have a plan based on what you are running now. If the initial purchase of the PC or laptops was a high outlay then an option could be to upgrade the machines you have. Otherwise there is a high chance the hardware may need to be replaced at the same time.
To find out the version of your Windows PC/Laptop
- Logon to your Windows 10 machine
- Press the Windows key + R or open up a command prompt
- Type winver and press Enter
- The about Windows popup will show your system version similar to the screenshot below
My Windows 10 version is not 22H2. What does that mean?
If you are running Windows 10 Home or Pro then this means you are not running the latest and final version of Windows 10. For instructions from Microsoft of performing the upgrade, you can find them here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-the-latest-windows-update-7d20e88c-0568-483a-37bc-c3885390d212#WindowsVersion=Windows_10
Please note however, upgrading to 22H2 or any of the previous versions of Windows 10 is a very large update. We cannot take any responsibility of issues caused by the instructions followed on the Microsoft website by you. You should also ensure you have a full backup of the system before attempting any sort of upgrade.
If you would like us to help plan your upgrade path to ensure success, please contact us.
