Microsoft has officially ended support for its Windows 10 operating system on October 14, 2025, a move that impacts a significant portion of the world's computer users. After this date, the company will no longer provide security updates or technical assistance for Windows 10, leaving devices still running the OS at a greater risk of malware and cyberattacks. Windows is the most widely used operating system globally, with reports from earlier in the year indicating it runs on over 1.4 billion devices, and a substantial number of those were still on Windows 10. Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11 for free, but many older PCs do not meet the necessary hardware requirements. For users unable to upgrade, Microsoft offers a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program as a temporary solution. The end of support has also raised concerns about a potential increase in electronic waste, as users may be forced to replace otherwise functional hardware that cannot run Windows 11.