Microsoft faced a lawsuit by a California man, alleging that the tech giant discontinued Windows 10 to gain a monopoly in the developing generative AI market.
Windows 10, which has been the dominant operating system for many users since its launch in 2015, will no longer receive support from Microsoft starting October 14, 2025. This decision will have significant consequences for users, primarily due to the cessation of security updates, bug fixes, and technical support.
The end of support means that Windows 10 systems will no longer receive security patches, leaving users vulnerable to cyberattacks. Additionally, software vendors are expected to gradually phase out compatibility and updates for Windows 10, limiting users' ability to run modern applications or hardware effectively.
For those unwilling or unable to upgrade to Windows 11 or switch to Linux, there are a few options:
Continuing with Windows 10
Users can technically keep using Windows 10 post-October 2025, but they will do so "without a safety net," meaning they will be increasingly exposed to security threats and potential software incompatibilities as time goes on.
Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program
Microsoft offers a short-term paid Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10, which provides critical security patches beyond the official end-of-support date. However, this is a temporary and costly solution, with prices rising each year, mainly intended for organizations needing more time to transition.
Migrating to Linux
Switching to Linux is a viable alternative, especially for older or repurposed hardware. Community groups and projects like The Restart Project's "End of 10" toolkit support users in migrating to free, open-source Linux distributions, which can extend the life of older PCs and avoid the licensing and telemetry concerns associated with Windows 11. However, Linux migration may involve challenges such as software compatibility and a learning curve for users accustomed to Windows.
Upgrading to Windows 11
Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is currently free, but many devices are barred from doing so due to the requirement of TPM 2.0. It is possible to bypass this requirement, but doing so means the computer is not officially supported, and technical support from Microsoft may be difficult to obtain.
A court case filed by Lawrence Klein against Microsoft over the discontinuation of Windows 10 support may potentially impact the adoption of Windows 11. If the court agrees with Klein, Microsoft may incur additional fees and potentially delay the adoption of Windows 11. The case alleges that Microsoft is forcing customers to purchase new devices to run Microsoft's generative artificial intelligence software.
The requirement to create a Microsoft account to log into Windows 11 is one of the reasons why some Windows 10 holdouts refuse to upgrade. The latest version of Windows was launched almost four years ago, but it wasn't until this year that it overtook Windows 10.
Microsoft states that TPM 2.0 is a non-negotiable requirement for all future Windows versions. Microsoft has a large budget and a team of lawyers to support its legal battles. The outcome of the court case may potentially impact the adoption of Windows 11.
- Despite the risks of security threats and potential software incompatibilities, some users may choose to continue using Windows 10 post-October 2025, but they will do so without the benefit of regular security updates and technical support.
- For those considering a switch to free, open-source Linux distributions, community groups like The Restart Project's "End of 10" toolkit can offer support, potentially helping users to extend the life of older PCs and avoid licensing and telemetry concerns associated with Windows 11, but it may also present challenges such as software compatibility and a learning curve for users accustomed to Windows.
