Shopper group Which? defined that it’s going to not be supported which means individuals are vulerable to assault – however there’s a repair
An estimated 21 million individuals with PCs afre being instructed they’ve obtained seven days to take motion. Shopper group Which? was highlighting the potential dangers to individuals as a result of Microsoft is stopping supporting Home windows 10 which means it might get new safety updates.
That is vital as a result of hackers are continuously updating their strategies that are countered by updates to the working system, leaving thousands and thousands weak after October 14.
Which? is warning Home windows 10 customers to behave now to keep away from safety dangers, as new survey knowledge suggests 1 / 4 of individuals with a tool working Home windows 10 intend to proceed utilizing the working system when help is withdrawn.
Big numbers of individuals stand to be affected when help is withdrawn: primarily based on a nationally consultant survey carried out in September 2025, Which? estimates that 21 million individuals* nonetheless personal and use a laptop computer or pc working Home windows 10 within the UK.
Worryingly, Which? discovered 1 / 4 of individuals (26%) working Home windows 10 intend to proceed utilizing it after updates stop – which may finally go away them weak to safety assaults and rip-off makes an attempt sooner or later.
Two in 5 (39%) stated they supposed to improve their present system to a more recent model of Home windows, one in seven (14%) stated they’d substitute their pc, 6 per cent would convert to an alternate working system like Linux, 4 per cent had different plans and one in ten (11%) have been not sure.
Hackers and criminals usually goal unsupported software program to use weaknesses and steal knowledge, so the patron champion is urging customers to behave as quickly as potential to make sure they continue to be protected.
In case your PC helps Home windows 11, individuals can at the moment improve from Home windows 10 without cost. It’s simple to make the change, and customers ought to discover Home windows 11 largely acquainted. For these not sure if their pc is suitable (plenty of older fashions gained’t be), Which? has a free software that can assist you verify.
Lisa Barber, Editor of Which? Tech, stated: “Our analysis suggests thousands and thousands of individuals could also be unprepared for the phasing out of Home windows 10 subsequent week. When you’ve got a house laptop computer or PC working Home windows, now could be the time to verify which model you’re utilizing and if it’s Home windows 10 or older, make a plan of motion.
“In the event you don’t act, you could possibly develop into extra weak to hackers and scams.
“Fortunately, normally there might be a free and straightforward answer accessible to you – whether or not that’s upgrading to Home windows 11, or, in case your pc is older and never suitable, choosing the one-year free extension to Home windows 10 as a brief measure. After this you may both change to a distinct, free working system reminiscent of Linux, or purchase a brand new system suitable with the most recent model of Home windows. The Which? web site has free, step-by-step recommendation to make the transition easy.”
Which? stated for those who’re not capable of improve, the subsequent best choice normally might be to make the most of a free one-year Home windows 10 extension being supplied by Microsoft as a part of its Prolonged Safety Updates (ESU) programme. This may permit customers some respiration area to evaluate their long-term alternate options, whether or not that’s switching to a distinct working system, or shopping for a brand new pc or laptop computer that runs Home windows 11.
Crucially, the one yr extension gained’t occur mechanically – customers must choose in. You may enrol without cost for those who comply with again up your Home windows settings to OneDrive. In any other case, you may redeem Microsoft loyalty factors (when you have earned any), or pay a one-off payment.
In the event you’re able to make the change to a brand new laptop computer or PC, then it’s additionally price excited about what to do together with your outdated one.
Which?’s survey indicated that seven in ten individuals (72%) are unaware that underneath the Waste Electrical and Digital Tools directive, the retailer is required that can assist you safely and responsibly get rid of your outdated pc for those who’re shopping for a brand new one – so it’s nicely price maintaining this in thoughts in case your outdated system is not wanted.
