Support for Windows 10 is ending on October 14th, 2025 for consumers. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates to the operating system, which leave it vulnerable to future exploits and security loopholes.
Your system will not be put into immediate danger once supports stop, as existing security updates should already shield you from all known risks. However, this cannot be guaranteed for later times, especially since Windows is widely targeted for vulnerability every year. Regardless, your system should be updated sooner or later.
Windows 11
For most people, updating to Windows 11 is the most obvious choice. If your system supports it right out of the box, it should be offered automatically as a Windows update. It will work regardless of how you install Windows and whether your copy is activated or not. Install that, and you are done.
If your system is somehow being reported as unsupported, it’s not over yet.
When Microsoft don’t like your specs
You can still update to Windows 11 on “unsupported hardware” even though Microsoft won’t support such use cases. This article gives you a step in doing so.
You will still receive Windows 11 updates like normal when doing this, but beware that issues might happen more often even if it’s quite rare.
Linux
Just switch to Linux!
Average tech redditor 2020s
Linux-based operating system are well known for their openness and more self-control over Microsoft’s centralized approach to Windows. Depending on which software you currently use or planned to use, switching to and using Linux can be adapted to easily. Installation is also much easier if your system is a desktop or any laptop that offers Linux from factory.
On the other hand, if you’re relying on something that does not work fully on Linux, it’s better to stay on Windows.
Installation overview
Before moving forward:
- Linux by itself is not one completed operating system, but rather a crucial part of an operating system that anyone can use to build their own.
- Linux distributions are operating systems that uses Linux. When we refer to Linux in the common world, we mostly referring to its distributions.
- Linux distributions differs from each other by the software and desktop UI it came with. There is no definitive answer to which distribution is “the best”, as each are tweaked for particular use cases.
You cannot directly upgrade to Linux from Windows, so it must be done as a clean install. If you want to do this, then back up all of your data onto a drive where the operating system is not running on.
For most people, here are some recommended distros you can use for your system. Again, you’re free to choose beyond the list:
In addition, here are some that I don’t particularly recommended:
- Arch Linux: A bare-bone Linux installation with no system drivers available out of the box. Extensive command line usage is required to fully configure the OS
- SteamOS: Made specifically for the Steam Deck and system certified by Valve. May work on other system, but is not officially supported. Instead, you can try Bazzite for a similar experience
Gaming on Linux (in a nutshell)
The majority of PC games are only available on Windows with some having native Linux compatibility (like Minecraft). Compatibility falls on the same boat as the Steam Deck, as any games that are marked as “Deck-verified” or any similar status will also work on any other Linux system that can run Steam. Performance will vary based on hardware specs. To see a list of compatible games, you can go to ProtonDB.
In general, any games that utilizes third-party DRM (like Fortnite or Destiny 2) will not work on Linux unless the developer supports it. If you love any games that has it, Linux is unfortunately not ready yet.
If you decided to go with the Linux Gaming route, please keep in mind that there are scenarios where you will have to do more manual configuration to get things to work. For optimal simplicity, run everything via the Steam client.
macOS
Apple does not offer macOS outside of supported Mac devices. There are community projects like Hackintosh to make that work, but hardware compatibility are extremely limited. As it stance, there is no feasible way to install macOS on anything else.
Sidenote: Apple Silicon Macs are ridiculously energy efficient and powerful compared to any other Windows devices currently on market. Unless you plan to use something not on macOS, or hate the UI in general, then I would recommend it over anything else.
Other considerations
Keep using Windows 10
Is there anything stopping one from running Windows 10? No, besides the lack of security updates and compatibility for future hardware and technology.
As Windows 10 still has the largest market share as of writing, it’s very unlikely for third-party developers to drop support for it for at least several more years to come. Everything should continue to work in the meantime.
The fact that you can do this doesn’t mean it’s something you should keep doing. Computer operating systems, especially if they frequently interface with the web and newer technologies, do come and go. If Windows 11 is offered on your system, then you should update and move on. Eventually, you do have to.
Hardware upgrade
Is your system too weak for your need or do you need macOS? Those would be the criteria I use to determine if I need to upgrade an existing desktop on Windows 10.
For unsupported system running Windows 11, I would keep using it unless it stops working or there’s something you dislike about it. Microsoft tends to nag people to buy a new system and recycle their existing one for those who didn’t meet their requirement, but that’s not really necessary. At least you can also sell it to get some money back rather than nothing at all.
Summary
To wrap up what I’ve been yapping about in this point, you should switch away from Windows 10 in this point in time. You have the following path:
- System supports Windows 11 → Upgrade to Windows 11 with Windows Update
- System does not support Windows 11 → Upgrade to Windows 11 using ISO image with slight modifications
- Hate Windows or want to try something new → Install a Linux distro
- Prefer macOS more → Get a Mac
- System too much of a slowpoke → Upgrade your hardware