Windows 10 After 2025: What I’m Doing (and What You Should Consider)
I’ve been running mixed environments for years—Hyper-V hosts, a few stubborn legacy apps, and a handful of laptops that just won’t die. So when Microsoft confirmed that Windows 10 support officially ends on October 14, 2025, I knew I had to rethink my setup. Not gonna lie, I’ve got a couple of machines that still run 10 because they’re rock-solid. But the writing’s on the wall.
Why I’m Revisiting My Windows 10 Machines
It’s not just about the OS aging out. It’s about what happens when security updates stop. I’ve seen what happens when a zero-day hits an unpatched system—back in 2019, one of our Server 2016 boxes got hit with a ransomware payload because someone skipped patching. That install screen just sat there—black, silent, almost mocking me.
So yeah, I’m not waiting for history to repeat itself.
What Happens After October 14, 2025
Here’s the deal:
- No more free security updates
- No bug fixes or feature rollouts
- No official support from Microsoft
Your machine won’t brick overnight, but it’ll be like driving without insurance. You’ll still boot up, but you’ll be exposed to:
- Ransomware and malware
- Zero-day exploits
- Compatibility issues with newer apps and drivers
Yusuf Mehdi from Microsoft summed it up pretty bluntly: “Without the latest security updates, users will be at heightened risk against online threats.”
My Options—and What I’m Testing
Upgrading to Windows 11
If your hardware supports it, this is the cleanest path. I’ve upgraded a few devices already—mostly newer ThinkPads with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. The process was smooth, but I had to tweak some BIOS settings to get past the compatibility checks.
Extended Security Updates (ESU)
This one surprised me. Microsoft’s offering a $30/year ESU plan for Windows 10 users. I tested it on a dev box just to see how it works. You enroll via the Windows Update page, link your Microsoft account, and sync settings to OneDrive. In the EU, you can skip the OneDrive part, but in India, I had to go through the full setup.
It’s barebones—just critical patches, no new features. But for a few legacy systems, it’s a decent stopgap.
Staying on Windows 10 (With Caution)
I’ve got one air-gapped machine running Windows 10 that controls a legacy CNC interface. It’s not connected to the internet, and I’ve layered it with third-party endpoint protection. But I wouldn’t trust it for anything sensitive—no banking, no email, no browsing.
If you’re in the same boat, here’s what I’d recommend:
- Use a solid antivirus (I’m testing Bitdefender and ESET)
- Disable unnecessary services
- Back up regularly (I use Veeam for local snapshots)
What Still Works (For Now)
- Microsoft Defender will get low-level threat updates until 2028
- Microsoft 365 apps might limp along, but don’t expect full functionality forever
Lessons Learned
Most guides say “just upgrade,” but I’ve found that ESU is a viable middle ground—especially for older hardware that can’t make the jump. Also, don’t assume your antivirus will catch everything. I’ve seen Defender miss payloads that third-party tools flagged instantly.
Final Thoughts
Windows 10 still powers a huge chunk of global PCs, and not everyone can upgrade overnight. But if you’re still running it past October 2025, you need a plan. Whether it’s ESU, a full upgrade, or isolating your system, don’t wing it.
Ever spent an hour debugging a typo in a firewall rule? Welcome to my world.
What’s your setup like? Are you sticking with Windows 10, jumping to 11, or exploring Linux? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear how others are navigating this transition.
