Microsoft has declared the next 12 months will be “the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh” as it counts down to the end of support for Windows 10. From October 14, 2025 onwards, Microsoft will no longer issue new updates to millions of Windows 10 users worldwide — that means no more bug fixes or critical security patches.
Without these vital software updates, Microsoft has warned that anyone still relying on Windows 10 will be left “at greater risk for viruses and malware”. Once a flaw in the operating system has been uncovered, hackers can continue to exploit the vulnerability in millions of PCs with no fear that Microsoft will issue a fix.
Despite the dire consequences for those who rely on Windows 10 after the October 2025 deadline, millions of PC owners are steadfastly refusing to switch to Windows 11. With roughly 280 days left until Microsoft kills off support for Windows 10, the operating system’s market share has unexpectedly increased.
Worse still, it seems the uptick in Windows 10 users has come at the expense of Windows 11, which has seen a sharp decline in the figures from the final month of last year. Windows 10 still commands a marktshare over 62% of all computers running a version of Microsoft’s popular desktop operating system.
Source: StatCounter Global Stats – Windows Version Market Share
It’s a troubling trend for Microsoft, which previously boasted that it was “ahead of schedule” with its upgrade plans.
According to industry estimates, somewhere between 800 and 850 million PCs are currently powered by Windows 10 or older operating systems. Around half of these devices do not meet the hardware specifications needed for Windows 11, forcing users to purchase new computers to maintain security updates beyond October.
Microsoft Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer Yusuf Mehdi on-stage speaking about the advantages of the new Copilot+ PC sub-category of Windows 11 devices during an event in Redmond, Washington
GETTY IMAGES
Microsoft Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, Yusuf Mehdi published a blog post this week, heralding Windows 11 as “the best, most secure and most performant way to realize the benefits of AI today, and into the future”.
Mehdi adds: “All of the innovation arriving on new Windows 11 PCs is coming at an important time. We recently confirmed that after providing 10 years of updates and support, Windows 10 will reach the end of its lifecycle on Oct. 14, 2025.
“After this date, Windows 10 PCs will no longer receive security or feature updates, and our focus is on helping customers stay protected by moving to modern new PCs running Windows 11. Whether the current PC needs a refresh, or it has security vulnerabilities that require the latest hardware-backed protection, now is the time to move forward with a new Windows 11 PC.”
If your current Windows 10 PC doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements to take advantage of a free upgrade to Windows 11, there are two choices available — either switch to a brand-new machine with Windows 11 preinstalled; or subscribe to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 to continue to receive critical security patches and bug fixes.
While enterprise users will be charged $61 (£48) for the first year of additional support, rising to an eye-watering $244 (£192) for third and final year, consumers benefit from a much more affordable deal.
Priced at $30 (£24) for an extra year of critical Windows 10 updates, this marks the first time Microsoft has offered ESU to everyday PC owners.
It’s worth noting that all of these prices are per device, so things quickly become pretty pricey if you have multiple laptops, desktop PCs, tablets, and other Windows-powered devices.
The incoming transition away from Windows 10 will force hundreds of millions of PC users to make crucial decisions about their computing future in the coming months.
Complicating matters, Microsoft is heavily promoting its new Copilot+ PC category as the flagship offering for Windows 11 users. These machines are “the fastest, most intelligent and most secure Windows PCs ever built”, according to Mehdi. These laptops, launched last summer, boast a number of exclusive Windows 11 features that you won’t find on machines that don’t meet the specific Copilot+ PC requirements.
The company claims Copilot+ PCs are up to five times faster than popular 5-year-old Windows PCs, with top models reportedly performing 58% faster than a MacBook Air with M3. The new category features processors from multiple manufacturers, including Snapdragon, AMD Ryzen AI, and Intel Core Ultra.
Microsoft emphasises that security is “at the heart of everything” they do, with Windows 11 devices shipping with numerous security features enabled by default.
Despite the millions of PCs unable to upgrade to Windows 11 — potentially forcing some 240 million working machines into landfill, the Redmond-based technology giant remains firm on its hardware requirements for Windows 11, positioning them as essential for modern security protection.
“Security is at the heart of everything we do at Microsoft”, Mehdi stated, underlining the company’s focus on protecting customer data. According to IDC data cited by Microsoft, nearly 80% of businesses plan to refresh their PC portfolio by the end of 2025.
The same research suggests 70% of consumers will upgrade their PCs in the next two years.
Windows 11 reworks the design of the operating system and brings the iconic Start Menu to the centre of the screen for the first time MICROSOFT PRESS OFFICE
The company is working with global retailers to offer PC recycling programmes and migration tools for the transition. However, with declining market share and concerns from Windows fans about being strongarmed into upgrades, Microsoft faces significant challenges in achieving its 2025 refresh goals.
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The transition timeline has been described by security researchers as a potential “dangerous security fiasco” as the October deadline approaches. Microsoft continues to push forward with its Windows 11 vision, partnering with major hardware manufacturers to drive adoption.
Most recently, Microsoft started to takeover laptops and desktop PCs with a fullscreen advert for Windows 11.