Microsoft’s Windows 10 is reaching its final days, and the clock is about to run out for millions of users who are still running the OS on their computers.
On October 14, the company has stopped supporting the operating system, cutting off security patches and feature updates forever.
That decision effectively turns one of the world’s most-used pieces of software into a liability. Roughly 40 percent of Windows users today are still running Windows 10. In the UK alone, that’s about 5 million people, according to recent estimates, and a quarter of them say they plan to keep using Windows 10 even after support ends.
For cybersecurity experts, this is a nightmare scenario. Once Microsoft walks away, any new vulnerability will stay open forever.
Matt Balderstone, an advisor at IT platform CyberArk, called the situation “urgent,” warning that it could easily echo past disasters like the WannaCry ransomware attack that crippled parts of the NHS in 2017.
“Once Windows 10 reaches end-of-life, the absence of security updates will leave millions of machines exposed to vulnerabilities that will never be patched,” he told The Independent. “It’s crucial that consumers and businesses update before the deadline.”
Users have two lifelines left. Eligible computers can upgrade to Windows 11 for free, while older hardware can opt into Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program — this is essentially a paid bridge that keeps critical protections coming a bit longer.
Everyone else have been advised to back up their data now, just in case an upgrade fails or a cyberattack strikes later.
Beyond security risks, Windows 10 machines will start to age quickly. Over time, they’ll lose compatibility with newer software and drivers, and their performance will slip.
There’s also the issue of scams. Once official support stops, you can expect an uptick in fake pop-ups, emails, and calls claiming to be from Microsoft, offering bogus “upgrade help” or paid fixes.
So yes, your Windows 10 PC will still power on Wednesday morning. But for the hundreds of millions who keep running Windows 10, it’ll be a riskier world. The updates will have stopped, the guardrails are gone, and the rest is up to you.
Source: The-Independent