Windows 10 is reaching its end of life because Microsoft has set an official end-of-support date for October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10.

This is part of their Modern Lifecycle Policy, which ensures that older software versions are gradually phased out to make way for newer, more secure, and feature-rich versions. The final version of Windows 10 will be 22H2, and all editions will continue to receive monthly security updates until the end-of-support date. After that, users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 to ensure they have the latest features and security updates.

Microsoft Office 2016 and Office 2019 also reach end of support on October 14, 2025. That is the last day of support, which means that Microsoft won't release security updates or any other type of update for the applications anymore. Technical support, furthermore, is also ending on that day.

What happens if I don't upgrade?

Here's a breakdown of the situation:

• Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security Intelligence Updates: Microsoft has stated they will continue to provide Security Intelligence Updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus through at least October 2028. These updates are crucial for keeping Defender's malware detection capabilities up-to-date with the latest threats.

• Operating System Updates: The key takeaway is that while Defender will still receive updates, the underlying Windows 10 operating system itself will no longer receive free security or feature updates after October 2025. This means that if new vulnerabilities are discovered in the Windows 10 OS, they will not be patched unless you are enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.

• Extended Security Updates (ESU): The ESU program is a paid service that offers critical and important security updates for Windows 10 for up to three years after the initial end-of-support date. This is an option for individuals and organizations who need more time to transition to Windows 11. 

What regulatory compliance bodies require Windows updates?

Several regulatory compliance bodies require Windows updates to ensure data security and privacy. Some of the key ones include:

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): In the United States, HIPAA requires healthcare organizations to maintain secure systems, which includes keeping operating systems like Windows updated.
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): This standard applies to all entities that store, process, or transmit cardholder data and requires regular updates to security systems.
• Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA): In the U.S., FISMA requires federal agencies to develop, document, and implement security programs, which include keeping software up-to-date.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): NIST guidelines recommend regular updates to software to mitigate vulnerabilities.
  These regulations help ensure that systems are secure and data is protected from potential threats.

Windows 11 Requirements:

• Processor:              1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
• RAM:                      4 gigabytes (GB)
• Storage:                 64 GB or larger storage device
• System Firmware:  UEFI, Secure Boot capable
• TPM:                      Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
• Graphics Card:       Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
• Display:                  High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel

Cost:
Linux is free to use, while Windows requires a purchase. 

Security:
Many consider Linux more secure due to its open-source nature, allowing for quick security updates and patches. 

Efficiency:
Linux typically runs smoothly on various hardware, including older or less powerful machines. 

Customization:
Linux offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to tailor the operating system to their specific needs. 

Open Source:
Linux's open-source nature allows for community contributions and modifications, fostering a large and active developer ecosystem. 

Software Compatibility:
While Linux has a growing number of native applications, some popular software, like the Adobe Creative Suite, is primarily designed for Windows. One of the reasons why many users ditched Windows for Linux is security. And let’s face it, everyone has faced stability and security issues when using Windows. It’s the most used OS in the world, so no wonder Windows users have to deal with viruses, hackers, spammers, and all that stuff. Despite releasing security updates quite frequently, there’s always something new that can harm your system, and the Blue Screen of Death will show up eventually.

If you’re looking for maximum security, Linux is the way to go.

Since Linux is tremendously less popular than Windows, it automatically reflects its security aspect. Linux users are a minority, so they don’t have to worry that much about their sensitive data being stolen. It doesn’t mean it’s 100% safe, but attacking Windows is far more profitable. Also, the multi-user architecture works extremely well in this regard, so any loopholes or security breaches are fixed within hours. And with Linux’s Server Operating System, you can improve its security even further.