Last-minute options for critical PCs
Microsoft’s official support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, closing the door on security updates for hundreds of millions of devices. For organizations and households that cannot upgrade in time, a new avenue offers temporary relief: extended protection for another year under Microsoft’s paid program and specific eligibility paths that let some users keep receiving fixes. The move is designed as a bridge, not a replacement for upgrading to Windows 11 or deploying new hardware. Security experts warn that staying on an unsupported OS increases exposure to malware and ransomware, especially for internet-facing machines.

Who should consider the extension
Engadget reports that users have several choices, each with trade-offs. Critical systems running legacy apps may justify purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU) or using sanctioned options that bundle the extra year of patches. Small businesses with line-of-business software tied to Windows 10 can buy time to test migrations and train staff. Home users with outdated hardware should evaluate whether a clean Windows 11 install is feasible, or whether replacing the machine is more cost-effective given CPU and TPM requirements. For anyone delaying, best practices still apply: disable unnecessary services, restrict admin rights, enable reputable antivirus, and maintain offline backups. The extension buys time, but the clock keeps ticking; plan a clear upgrade path to avoid a scramble at the next cutoff.