Microsoft has officially ended support for its Windows 10 operating system as of October 14, 2025, a decade after its initial launch. This cessation of support means that personal and business computers running on Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, or assisted support, leaving them more vulnerable to viruses and malware. Microsoft has been urging users to upgrade to Windows 11 to stay protected, although not all older PCs meet the necessary hardware requirements for the newer operating system. For users unable to upgrade, Microsoft is offering an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program that will provide security patches until October 2028, though this comes at an annual cost. The move is significant as a large percentage of Windows users were still on Windows 10 leading up to the end-of-support date, raising concerns about cybersecurity risks and the potential for a surge in e-waste from discarded, incompatible hardware.