Help & guides · Updated August 2026
Windows 10 is end of life: what are my options?
Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10 in late 2025. Here’s what that actually means for you, and your real options.
Microsoft ended free security updates for Windows 10 in October 2025. Your computer still turns on and works, but it no longer gets the security patches that keep it safe, which matters more than most people realize.
Why it matters
Without security updates, newly discovered holes never get fixed, so an outdated Windows 10 machine becomes an easier target for viruses, scams, and ransomware over time. The computer doesn’t stop working, it just gets riskier to use for email, banking, and shopping.
Your options
- Upgrade to Windows 11: free if your computer meets the requirements, and the best path for most people
- Keep the machine but lock it down: a current browser plus always-on antivirus and monitoring (our Care Plan is built for exactly this), a stopgap, not a permanent fix
- Replace it: if it can’t run Windows 11 and is getting old anyway, a newer or refurbished machine may be the better value
Can your computer run Windows 11?
Windows 11 has specific hardware requirements (a recent enough processor and a security chip called TPM 2.0). Many computers from the last several years qualify; older ones often don’t. Some that technically qualify still run it sluggishly.
We won’t push an upgrade that just makes an old computer crawl. We’ll check whether yours can handle Windows 11 well and tell you honestly whether to upgrade, stay put for now, or start thinking about a different machine.
Want us to handle it?
We can check your computer, back up your files, and do the Windows 11 upgrade cleanly, drivers, updates, and all, so it’s ready to use when you pick it up. Walk in Mon-Thu 9:00-5:30 or call (574) 444-9910.
Staying on Windows 10 for now?
Our Care Plan is the simplest way to lock down a machine that’s no longer getting Microsoft’s updates, always-on antivirus plus health and security monitoring for $9.99/month, no contract, cancel anytime.
Common questions
Quick answers
Is Windows 10 still safe to use?
It works, but it no longer receives security updates, so it gets riskier over time, especially for email, banking, and shopping. We recommend upgrading to Windows 11 if your machine supports it, or taking extra precautions if it doesn’t.
Will upgrading to Windows 11 delete my files?
A proper upgrade keeps your files in place, but we always back up your important data first as a safety net, especially if the drive is older. If your files matter, tell us up front and we’ll treat protecting them as the first job.
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Our flat prices are posted on the pricing page. The one thing we never guess at is the repair itself: we look first ($60, credited to your repair), then you get a real number before any work starts. Walk in, book a time, or text us a photo of what’s wrong. Look for the black door with our logo on it, straight ahead when you pull in, up the steps; knock if it’s locked, we’re here.