"Windows 10 Still Dominates Many PCs": A significant number of personal computers continue to operate using the Windows 10 operating system.
In a significant move, Microsoft is offering an additional year of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for both personal and commercial users of Windows 10, priced at around £27 ($30 USD) per device. However, users must act before October 14, 2025, as this marks the end of all support for Windows 10, including security updates, patches, and technical assistance.
After this date, devices running Windows 10, even the latest version 22H2, will no longer receive monthly security or feature updates. This leaves these devices vulnerable to malware, viruses, and other cyber threats, significantly increasing the risk of security breaches and operational issues.
The potential consequences of not updating or upgrading include data loss, theft, or system compromise due to a lack of protection against newly discovered security threats and vulnerabilities. Additionally, users may face the absence of technical support from Microsoft for troubleshooting or critical fixes, and potential software incompatibility and increasing system instability over time due to outdated components.
To mitigate these risks, Microsoft advises users to either upgrade to Windows 11, which remains supported and receives regular security updates, or enroll their devices in the Extended Security Update (ESU) program, a paid service for continued security patches beyond end-of-support.
In Germany, around 57% of all Windows computers are equipped with the outdated Windows 10, with approximately 26 million computers still running on this system. IT security expert Alexander Opel from Eset warns that using an outdated operating system is playing Russian roulette with data. He advises against purchasing the Extended Security Updates (ESU) as it delays the upgrade and could be irresponsible for businesses.
The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) recommends switching to alternatives like macOS for Apple’s Macintosh computers or the free Linux system. However, upgrading to Windows 11 often requires the purchase of a new PC due to Microsoft's high hardware requirements for the new operating system.
Ranjit Atwal, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, predicts a "period of uncertainty" in the purchase of new PCs due to increased economic and geopolitical risks. Atwal expects fire sales in the second half of the year due to full warehouses at PC manufacturers.
With the end of support for Windows 10, there will be no more free updates to fix newly discovered vulnerabilities. This is a novelty as support extensions for Windows have only been available for businesses in the past. Microsoft will retire the world's most popular PC operating system to date - Windows 10 - on October 14.
Meanwhile, suppliers are trying to clear their excess inventory due to new tariffs and ongoing uncertainties. Over a million computers in Germany are running on outdated operating systems such as Windows 7, Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows XP. The German branch of Eset in Jena based its calculations on its own telemetry data and cross-checked the results with the statistics service "StatCounter".
As of now, 17.9 million PCs in Germany have already installed Windows 11, an increase of eight percent since November 2021. The costs of support for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) may outweigh the benefits for many organizations, making the upgrade to Windows 11 or alternative systems a prudent choice.
- Technology advancements, such as the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program provided by Microsoft, can help secure devices from cyber threats and potential security breaches, especially after October 14, 2025, when Windows 10 support ends.
- In the wake of the end-of-support for Windows 10, businesses should consider upgrading to Windows 11 or alternative systems like macOS or Linux to avoid playing Russian roulette with data and to avoid the financial burden of paying for Extended Security Updates (ESU).
