Microsoft wants you to dump your Windows 10 PC

As you know, the official support for Windows 10 will conclude as early as October 2025. To prepare users for this change, the company is sending out emails to those still using Windows 10. While the email doesn't explicitly say it, the implication is clear: users may need to consider purchasing a new PC to continue receiving updates and support after 2025.

For years, Microsoft has been encouraging Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11. On devices that meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, users have seen full-screen notifications prompting them to make the switch. However, this email campaign seems targeted specifically at users with older hardware that cannot run Windows 11.

Microsoft is now reaching out via email to inform these users about the upcoming end of support for Windows 10. The email serves as a reminder that, once Windows 10 support ends in October 2025, these users will no longer receive critical updates or security patches. Since upgrading to Windows 11 isn't an option for them, the implicit suggestion in the email is to consider buying a new computer that can run the latest OS. Literally, the email essentially implies that users should dump their Windows 10 PC or trade-in it.

The future of Windows 10

One major reason many older devices are incompatible with Windows 11 is the requirement for a TPM 2.0 module and a processor released after 2017. The TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a specialized security chip that's built into many modern computers. It stores cryptographic keys, passwords, and certificates securely, making it harder for attackers to access or steal sensitive information. So it provides an extra layer of hardware-based security to protect sensitive data and ensure the integrity of the system.

Without these components, millions of computers—approximately 240 million—are effectively locked out of upgrading to Windows 11. Despite criticism, Microsoft has not budged on these strict system requirements, meaning these users will lose access to critical security updates once Windows 10 support ends in 2025.

Windows 10 ESU

Microsoft will offer a paid Extended Support Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 starting in October 2025, open to all users, not just corporate clients as with Windows 7. The subscription lasts three years, costing $61 per device in the first year, doubling annually to $122 in the second year and $244 in the third. Sales begin in October 2024, a year before Windows 10's standard support ends. Users can buy a 5-by-5 activation key for each PC to continue receiving security updates after October 2025. If you join the program late, you must pay for the missed years of updates. This option is useful for businesses needing more time to transition to Windows 11.

Closing words

Microsoft has been actively promoting the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for quite some time. This situation forces users to decide between sticking with an unsupported operating system or investing in new hardware.

Source