An assortment of things over time.
Staying with Windows 10 — not updating to Windows 11 — is a valid choice. I’ve written about how you can keep using Windows 10 safely after support ends.
But there’s more to it than that, isn’t there? Over time, things will change. It’s important to understand what those things are and how you need to prepare.
Windows 11: What happens if you don't?
Sticking with Windows 10 is fine for now, but support is ending. Security fixes stop, some apps may drop support (TurboTax already has), and Defender updates end in 2028 (probably). Most programs will keep working for years, but slowly, more will move on. Plan ahead, and don’t panic.
Now: October 2025
As I write this, the official end of support date for Windows 10 has passed. This means a few things.
- If a bug is found in Windows 10, you won’t get a fix for it.
- If that bug is a security-related vulnerability, you won’t get a fix for it.
- Official in-person help resources from Microsoft are no longer available, although documentation remains online, and peer-to-peer support forums continue to operate.
However, Extended Security Updates are available, and stretch support out for a year.
Help keep it going by becoming a Patron.
October 2026
If you sign up for the ESU program — which you should still be able to do at any time — the “end of support date” changes to October 2026.
While there’s been no official word on it, ESU seems to have become a free program (as long as your computer settings are backed up to your Microsoft account), so there’s little reason not to sign up for it (other than that it requires a Microsoft account). This effectively gives you another year of most types of support.
After October 2026:
- If a bug is found in Windows 10, you won’t get a fix for it.
- If that bug is a security-related vulnerability, you won’t get a fix for it.
I believe the termination of in-person support still applies.
Now: at least one app has moved on
At least one popular software package has announced that it will no longer support Windows 10.
TurboTax Desktop 2025 will only run on Windows 11 (64-bit). You won’t be able to install or use TurboTax Desktop 2025 on Windows 10.
Alternatives include not using TurboTax or switching to their online product.
This is the only software I’m aware of now that has pulled Windows 10 support. It’s unusual in that it’s an abnormally quick exit.
Related
Why I Don’t Expect a Windows 10 Apocalypse
Don't believe the FUD; your PC won’t suddenly collapse into chaos when Windows 10 support ends. With updated security tools, smart habits, and backups, you can keep using Windows 10 safely long after Microsoft stops updating it—without fear, hype, or panic.#181353
October 2028
Microsoft has promised that Windows Defender will continue to receive database updates for three years after the original Windows 10 end of support date. While they haven’t said October 2028 specifically, that’s what the math works out to.
If Defender updates stop in October 2028 — and I suspect they may not — you’ll need to switch to a different security package for Windows 10.
The reason I suspect Defender updates may not end at that time is that this is a path they’ve been down before. Even though it was never promised, Microsoft continued to provide database updates for the equivalent Windows 7 tools for many years after its end-of-support date. I expect that a technical rather than a policy issue might drive the actual switch someday. For instance, perhaps wanting to change the underlying security engine or model beyond a simple database update will mean they end Defender updates.
For now: apps keep working
TurboTax aside, the apps you have installed in Windows 10 should keep working just fine. They’re typically on their own update cycle. Those that use Windows Update should continue to be updated, and of course, any tools that provide their own update mechanism will keep updating as well.
For now.
Eventually: apps drop Windows 10 support
When I say eventually, I mean over several years. Most apps will keep working just fine for a long time.
Then, slowly — and sadly, unpredictably — third-party apps may announce an end-of-support date of their own for running on Windows 10. If, when, and how you’re affected depends on which apps you use and what those companies decide to do.
Don’t worry about this until you find out you’re affected. As I said, it’ll likely be a while.
Yes, some may “pull a TurboTax” and end support for Windows 10 early, but I expect that’ll be a short list.
Always: Microsoft nags
Throughout all of this, there’s a good chance that Microsoft will continue to “encourage” you to move past Windows 10.
Depending on whether your machine is capable of running Windows 11, you may be offered the upgrade (which should be free), or you may be encouraged to purchase a new Windows-11-capable machine.
You don’t need to. Dismiss the messages and carry on. When they return or new ones appear, dismiss them as well.
Do this
If you don’t upgrade to Windows 11, there’s little to do other than take the steps you should already be taking to keep running Windows 10 safely.
Someday, you may be affected when an application you use drops support for Windows 10. I wouldn’t worry about it until it happens.
It’s likely that you’ll have replaced your machine by then and be running the then-current version of Windows (or something else).
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Footnotes & References
1: There are apps that still work in Windows XP just fine.
How to sign up for the ESU program, please.
There should be a link in Windows Update.
Right-click the Windows Start Icon
Click “Settings”
Click “Windows Update”
The ESU link should be on that screen.
Do not see the ESU link as you described. The one frustrating thing here is to update to 11 we have to replace both our computers as they will not accept the update due to age. I just replaced the HD with an SSD and increased the RAM.
This may or may not work for you. I did not get the ESU link either, so about 2 weeks before the end-of-support date, thanks to someone who found this, I clicked on the link below and was able to sign up for ESU through an unpublished Microsoft Store link. Perhaps this will still work:
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n87tz9kbj74?hl=en-US&gl=US
Best wishes.
Thank you, I found the link as you described. Then it said I am enrolled in this, but it gave an old email address that I no monger use. I couldn’t see any way of changing it to my gmail address. Should I try again?
Settings App => Windows Update
The reverse is also true in some cases. Some software and hardware drivers that run on Windows 10 won’t run on Windows 11. I had that problem once when I got a Windows Vista machine. My scanner was not supported on Vista.
Wasn’t that fairly common in that period? Drivers were missing, although, in some cases, drivers for XP could be used by changing the file extension.
I had a funny thing happen recently. When my Windows 8 laptop upgraded to Windows 10, the fingerprint scanner stopped working I tried looking for an updated driver on the Lenovo website, but they hadn’t updated the driver. I would look every so often. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, I found an updated driver on a Lenovo support page.
Other times, I’ve found generic drivers that work for devices that stopped working.
Hey Leo, thanks for the advice.
I have quite a number of applications that were originally written for Win 7, were updated for Win 10, and are now ‘legacy,’ as their creators, in many cases, have died, and no one is (or ever will) be updating them.
So, my question is: supposing that I never use a browser, or email application on my Win 10 machine, and use it only to run these legacy applications (some of which access the internet for things like time/date, or astronomical databases), how much vulnerability am I really exposing myself to?
Vulnerabilities are exploited via the internet. That includes all programs that access the Internet. So there is a small chance that you are vulnerable. Very small because the exploit would have to attact a vulnerability in that specific program. This shouldn’t be an issue for another year as Extended Dervice Updates (ESU) are available and in effect for the next 11 months.
The first link in the article gives advice on How to Keep Using Windows 10 Safely after Support Ends
Please see How to Keep Using Windows 10 Safely after Support Ends
The presumption that all Hades will break loose may come true if you use a computer the same way you use a refrigerator. For reference, I’m writing this on a Windows 7 machine and still haven’t had a spontaneous disintegration of my machine, my files, or me.
My Windows 10 and 11 machines are locked down and neutered every-which-way, so I have no nags, no update problems, no copilot or other annoyances. I can still use TurboTax without having to sell my soul. And, all my applications from Windows 7 also work on Windows 10 and 11!
If Defender updates stop … Well, Windows 7 Security Essentials definition updates are still going, and if they stop I can download them manually, or use something else. But the reality is that in last 15 years I must have been very lucky because no malware scanner ever found anything bad.
If there is a bug in Windows … Well, there are many bugs in Windows. You’ve been using Windows for years and never knew about the bugs and the bugs didn’t get in your way. Annoyances, pet peeves and a wish list – yes. But actual software code bugs – no, nothing to worry about, because there is always a workaround.
This last item made me burst out laughing: “Official in-person help resources from Microsoft …” How much money you got to get help from Microsoft?
I have Win 10 pro and I have used Turbo Tax for 20 years and I’ll be damned if I’ll buckle to TurboTax demands for WIN 11. Sorry Turbo Tax but you lost a previous ly dedicated customer. I’m not buying a new win 11 PC just to satisfy YOUR demands
The whole point of discussions such as this is that you DON’T have to buy a new PC just for Windows 11. There are thousands of posts on the internet, including many on AskLeo, about installing Win11 on an old PC or as a partition on your current PC.
Just Do It! (i.e., convert to Windows 11). It’s relatively painless and seamless, and the learning curve is mild. Windows 10 was a comfortable old shoe, but nothing great. Windows 11 is nothing great either, but no worse overall than Windows 10, and at least it’s new. My biggest (and probably only) complaint is that I don’t like the changed Start Menu. At some point, Windows 10 will become a bigger nuisance to stay with. If your PC can’t handle Windows 11, it’s probably unbearably slow even with Windows 10, so maybe it’s time to upgrade. Faster, Windows 11 compliant (refurbished) PC’s can be found on-line for about $250. It’s worth it (and you can still keep your old PC running Windows 10 which you will eventually stop using).
Hey Jerry, it’s NOT painless if your PC won’t meet the hardware requirements for WIN 11 and you can’t afford a NEW PC. And BTW. my PC runs JUST FINE for me and what little I do with it anymore. Maybe $250 or more isn’t much to your wallet as it is to mine .
You feel me?
I was planning to pay for another year of windows 10 support. But it now says I must turn on their “backup” setting to buy that support. You have discussed the problems with doing their “backup” setting. Care to weigh in again on the risks of that? Riskier to continue without the support OR buy support and deal with their “backup” nonsense?
NOTE: I have several machines (one Win 11) but most are Win 10 and all are running backup software. I also have a win 11 pc that I have not had time to configure so it is just sitting there. Life is just so crowded, taking time to deal with this stuff is overwhelming. Computers used to be fun.
So apparently the backup they require is that you backup your “settings”, which is not the same as OneDrive Backup.
Try turning it on and I suspect that it’ll just work, without needing OneDrive backup.
I’ve read where you can enable the settings back up feature, but then configure it so nothing actually gets backed up. I haven’t tried it though. Alternatively, you can use Bing while logged into your Microsoft account to earn Rewards points that can be redeemed to get the ESU. It takes 1,000 points, but that one “purchase” is good for up to ten Win 10 PCs. It took me about a week to do meaningless searches and quizzes to get the points. I now have multiple Win 10 PCs enrolled in the ESU program.
The latest ESU headlines say the ESU program has (may have) a problem not installing.
Microsoft says they’ve got your back with more quality software: the fix requires that you first install KB5066791 (which is another patch) and then install KB5072653, which is patch called the ESU Licensing Preparation Package. You can find these stuff on Microsoft.com.
But wait! Don’t rush out and install all sorts of stuff on your computer. Wait until the dust settles and Microsoft really, really debugs the ESU.
Another app to abandon Win 10 is ON1 Photo RAW and they did so with the release of the 2026 version in October while the ink on my Win 10 ESU agreement was still wet. Marketing materials don’t seem to mention that fact, but if you look hard enough you’ll find the Win 11 requirement in the product’s System Requirements. I have ON1 PR 2026 running on my Win 10 PC, and it appears to work, but I suppose that could change at anytime. I don’t understand why these companies are so eager to score an own goal. TurboTax lost me many years ago when they reduced functionality of the Deluxe version. By the time they realized their mistake and reversed the decision, I’d already moved on to the obvious competitor and haven’t looked back.
Earlier today, Nov 18, my screen said Windows needed to restart in order to install updates. Do it now or later? Let’s do it now. I saw the same screens and progress percentages as always.
Afterwards, a check of Windows Security showed nothing but green check marks.
But I’m running Win 10. Wasn’t October 14 the end of my Windows support?
There are still some updates being rolled out to unsupported Windows computers. One example is an update that fixes the ESU delivery system.
You will continue to get updates for other things like security definitions and other Microsoft software you may have installed.
I read with a sense of relief all the fuss about Windows 10/11. Things like being “forced” to update to 11, hardware doesn’t support 11, no updates for 10 and the list goes on. I switched to Linux 13 years ago and it was the BEST computer move I ever made!
First, I have a collection of old laptops that Windows 11 will not install on that I use all the time. Good usable hardware that only gets thrown out when it finally dies.
Second, while a version of Linux I am running has an end of support date I am not forced to update. The old version keeps on running. Besides its not that hard to update to the new version, its good practice, but I am not forced to.
Third, programs the pool of Linux programs for any task is vast and just as good as Windows programs. All the ones I use will read and write Windows compatible files. The search for the best one at times can get confusing but than to is buying a new car.
Which segues into the real advantage of Linux. I am not at the bottom of Microsoft’s food change, subject to their whims and need for profit (nothing wrong with profit when done properly). I own my computers, I paid for them and ultimately I am responsible for them and Linux gives me that control. The small learning curve was well worth it.
The best thing about Linux is that is designed by people who take their responsible to their users seriously. They became involved since they wanted something different then was available and found an audience for their vision. Not a big cooperation whose model is force one size to fit all.
I fully agree with Phil but he doesn’t mention the killer (to me) fact that you can download a version of Linux (I’d suggest Mint) and do it to dual boot so you still have your windows and decide (as I did) to go full Linux if you like it.
That “small learning curve” is, I’m abashed to admit, too much for me. I grew up with MS-DOS, learned enough to gain employment supporting Windows, and at age 79 don’t see the time needed to learn Linux a worthwhile investment. Wish I’d made the leap years ago, as you did.
FWIW, I love Win 10 and hope to continue using it until my PC goes up in flames. I’ve dedicated another old Win 10 PC for financial websites only, where I can be fairly safe assuming security is at the highest level.
hi Leo
I wonder what happens in the case of many of us who build our own machines and have retail versions of Windows 10 so we can reinstall the software as we upgrade motherboards, processors, etc?
If Microsoft suddenly decides to no longer honor a Windows 10 retail license, I assume we will have to go out and purchase the retail version of Windows 11.
Not that this is in your wheelhouse since you are not Microsoft, I just wondered if you had any information on this
Windows 10 won’t stop working. XP and even 95 & 98 still run.
This is more about activation (and to some degree, updates accumulated before end of support).
History says that’s unlikely to happen for some time. Eventually, yes, (I don’t think you can activate a new Windows XP install, but I’m pretty sure you can still activate 7 – could be wrong, 8, 8.1) but not any time soon.