If your computer still runs Windows 10, you may have seen warnings telling you that Windows 10 has reached the end of support.
That sounds rather dramatic.
And it has led quite a few people to wonder:
"Does this mean I have to buy a new computer?"
The short answer is:
Not necessarily.
But there are a few things you should know.
What actually happened to Windows 10?
Microsoft officially ended normal support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.
That does not mean Windows 10 suddenly stopped working.
Your computer can still turn on. Your programs can still run. You can still browse the web, read your email, look at your photos and write documents.
What ended was Microsoft's normal support for the operating system.
Without another form of coverage, a normal Windows 10 computer no longer receives the regular Windows 10 security fixes and software updates it received while the operating system was fully supported.
Think of it a little like owning an older car.
The car does not stop driving on the day the manufacturer's normal support period ends. But you do need to pay more attention to what is still being maintained and what is not.
There is some good news
Microsoft has an Extended Security Updates program, usually shortened to ESU.
For eligible personal Windows 10 computers, Microsoft currently says ESU security updates are available through October 12, 2027.
So if you have a Windows 10 computer that you like and it still does everything you need, you may have more time before replacing it.
That is welcome news because many Windows 10 computers are still perfectly usable.
What does ESU actually give me?
ESU is mainly about security.
It provides important and critical security updates for enrolled Windows 10 computers.
That matters because new security weaknesses continue to be discovered. Security updates close those holes and reduce the risk from malware and other attacks.
But ESU does not turn Windows 10 back into a fully supported operating system.
It does not give Windows 10 new features, normal non-security improvements or regular technical support.
Think of it as extra security coverage while you decide what to do next.
Do I have to pay for it?
For eligible personal Windows 10 computers, perhaps not.
Microsoft currently lists three consumer enrollment options:
- No additional cost if you choose the option to sync your PC settings.
- Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
- Make a one-time $30 payment, plus applicable tax.
Microsoft also says one ESU license can be used for up to 10 personal devices, and you need to sign in with a Microsoft account to enroll.
The computer needs to be running an eligible version of Windows 10 version 22H2.
If this is a company-managed computer, the rules and licensing can be different, so check with whoever manages your business computers.
Should I upgrade to Windows 11?
If your computer supports Windows 11, upgrading is usually the more straightforward long-term path.
For eligible Windows 10 PCs, Microsoft provides a compatibility check through PC Health Check and through Windows Update.
But there is an important distinction between:
"My computer cannot run Windows 11."
and
"Windows says my computer is not currently eligible for Windows 11."
They are not always the same thing.
Windows 11 has additional hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
Sometimes the necessary hardware is actually present but a setting is disabled. Microsoft specifically notes that some PCs capable of TPM 2.0 may not have it enabled.
So before throwing away a perfectly good computer because Windows says it cannot upgrade, it can be worth finding out why.
Please don't buy a new computer just because a popup frightened you
This is probably the most important part.
If your Windows 10 computer works well, do not assume that an "end of support" message automatically means you need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on another machine tomorrow.
First find out:
- Is the computer running Windows 10 version 22H2?
- Is it enrolled in Extended Security Updates?
- Can it actually run Windows 11?
- If Windows 11 says no, what is the reason?
- Is there a simple setting or compatibility issue involved?
- Most importantly: does the computer still do what you need it to do?
Only then does it make sense to decide whether upgrading, keeping the existing computer for a while longer, or replacing it is the best choice.
What if my computer really is too old?
Then replacing it may eventually be the sensible option.
But even then, you do not have to make the decision because a warning message created panic.
A computer should be replaced because it no longer meets your needs, cannot be kept reasonably secure, is becoming unreliable, or because the cost of keeping it running no longer makes sense.
And when you do change computers, make sure your documents, photographs, email, browser bookmarks and other important information are backed up before making the move.
A computer can be replaced.
Family photographs usually cannot.
Not sure what you have?
If terms such as Windows 10 22H2, TPM, Secure Boot and ESU sound like alphabet soup, that is completely understandable.
You should not have to become a computer technician just to keep using your computer.
The Red @ can check your computer, tell you whether it is properly protected, see whether it can run Windows 11, and explain your options in normal English — without automatically telling you that you need a new PC.
Sometimes the answer really is a new computer.
And sometimes the computer you already have is perfectly fine for a while longer.
The Red @ — Computer help without the computer language.