When Will Microsoft Discontinue Windows 10?

Microsoft ended regular Windows 10 updates on October 14, 2025, and will stop Extended Security Updates for consumers on October 13, 2026.

When people ask when Microsoft will discontinue Windows 10, many assume the system will simply switch off on a set date, but in reality the change is about when Microsoft stops shipping fixes that keep your PC safe.

This guide walks through what “discontinue Windows 10” really means, the exact dates that matter for each edition, and what you can do right now so the change lands on your schedule instead of as a nasty surprise.

Why Windows 10 Has A Final End Date

Every Windows release ships with a planned life span. During that time, Microsoft pushes monthly fixes, closes security holes, and answers issues for paying customers. Once that window closes, the company moves its attention to newer releases.

For Windows 10, that planned life cycle turned out to be just over ten years. Microsoft uses the term “end of service” for the moment when it stops sending free quality and security updates to most users. Windows 10 reached that point on October 14, 2025, with the last regular patch for version 22H2.

The date sits in the Windows 10 Home and Pro lifecycle page, which lists October 14, 2025 as the last day for routine updates for those editions and several related ones.

Once that date passed, Microsoft started nudging people harder toward Windows 11, while also offering a safety net for anyone who needs a little more time on Windows 10.

When Will Microsoft Discontinue Windows 10 For You?

From a user point of view, “discontinue Windows 10” can mean two slightly different things:

End of free updates — The day routine security fixes stop for general users.
End of Extended Security Updates — The day even paid or special security patches stop.

If you run a typical home or small office PC with Windows 10 Home or Pro, the key dates are:

October 14, 2025 — Windows 10 version 22H2 received its last regular update. From that point, standard Windows Update no longer delivers new security or feature patches for users who did not join the Extended Security Updates program.
October 13, 2026 — Extended Security Updates (ESU) stop for consumers. After this day, Microsoft no longer provides critical security patches for home users who enrolled their Windows 10 devices in ESU.

The ESU safety net is described in Microsoft’s own Extended Security Updates information page, which explains that enrolled devices can receive critical and important security fixes until October 13, 2026.

For larger organizations, the picture includes a few extra twists. Windows 10 version 22H2 devices in schools and enterprises can get ESU coverage through 2028, and some Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) releases of Windows 10 stretch even further, right out to 2029 or 2032 for specific embedded builds.

Windows 10 End Of Service Dates By Edition

You do not need a detailed licensing chart to stay safe, but it helps to see how the main Windows 10 editions line up. The table below sums up the key public dates.

Edition Type	End Of Regular Updates	End Of Security Fixes
Windows 10 Home / Pro (version 22H2)	14 October 2025	13 October 2026 (ESU for consumers)
Windows 10 Enterprise / Education (22H2)	14 October 2025	10 October 2028 (ESU for organizations)
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019	9 January 2029	9 January 2029
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021	12 January 2027	12 January 2027
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021	13 January 2032	13 January 2032

For most readers, only the first row matters. That is the line for everyday laptops and desktops that shipped with Windows 10 Home or Pro and now stand at a crossroads between staying on ESU for an extra year or moving to a newer platform.

The extra lines show why some corporate or specialist devices can keep running Windows 10 for far longer. Those LTSC builds trade fancy new features for years of predictable, slow-changing maintenance, which suits medical gadgets, factory controllers, and other locked-down equipment. Regular home PCs almost never run those editions.

How To Check Which Windows Version You Are Running

Before you make any plans, you need to know exactly which Windows release your PC uses today. The steps are quick and worth doing, even if you are sure you already know.

Open Settings — Click the Start button, then the gear icon, or press Windows key + I on your keyboard.
Go to System — In the Settings window, pick the System entry, which usually sits at the top of the left-hand menu.
Check the About page — Scroll down the System menu, click About, then look for the Windows specifications box.
Confirm Edition and Version — In that box, read the Edition line (such as Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro) and the Version line (you want to see 22H2).

If the version is older than 22H2, your PC is already outside the last Windows 10 feature release and should either be updated to 22H2 or moved to Windows 11 as soon as you can manage it.

You can also run the PC Health Check app from Microsoft to see if your hardware qualifies for Windows 11. On many machines built within the past few years, the upgrade is free and just needs enough disk space and a little time on Windows Update.

What Happens After Windows 10 Loses Updates

Old Windows copies do not stop working overnight when updates end. You can still log in, browse the web, write documents, and play games. The real problem is that every new bug or threat discovered after the final patch day has a higher chance of staying open on your machine.

Here is what changes once Windows 10 reaches the end of its update window and you are not on ESU any more:

No new security patches — New malware tricks that target flaws in Windows 10 will not receive fixes for regular users, which slowly raises the risk level as months pass.
Fewer quality fixes — Annoying glitches, driver clashes, or printer issues are less likely to get official remedies once the operating system leaves the active maintenance list.
App makers move on — Over time, big names such as browsers, games, and creative suites reduce attention on an out-of-date platform, which can mean slowdowns or dropped compatibility.
Compliance headaches — Businesses in regulated fields often face rules that require current software. Old Windows builds can become a liability for audits and contracts.

Microsoft also links Windows 10’s retirement to timelines for apps such as Microsoft 365. Those applications continue to receive security fixes on Windows 10 through October 10, 2028, but new features roll out on a slower schedule than on Windows 11.

Upgrade Options Before Windows 10 Retirement

The right move depends on three factors: how new your hardware is, how much money you want to spend, and how long you are comfortable keeping an operating system that no longer receives updates. Here are the main paths people follow.

Stay On Windows 10 With Extended Security Updates

ESU is a short-term bridge for people who need more time. With ESU, Microsoft continues to send critical security fixes to enrolled Windows 10 version 22H2 devices through October 13, 2026. The program covers up to ten devices linked to a single Microsoft account and can be activated either for free by syncing PC settings, through Microsoft Rewards points, or with a modest one-time payment.

Good for breathing room — ESU gives you one more year to plan hardware purchases or test Windows 11 with your work tools without rushing.
Same familiar setup — Your desktop stays the same, so there is no learning curve and your existing apps keep running as they do today.
Still a ticking clock — Once October 2026 passes, even ESU users lose that extra layer of protection, so this is only a delay, not a permanent answer.

Upgrade Your Current PC To Windows 11

If your PC meets the Windows 11 requirements, this is usually the cleanest route. The upgrade is still free for eligible Windows 10 users and gives you an operating system that will keep receiving feature changes and security fixes for many years.

Check hardware compatibility — Use the PC Health Check app or Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update to see whether Windows 11 is offered for your device.
Back up your files — Store copies of your key documents and photos on an external drive or cloud service before starting the upgrade, just in case something goes wrong.
Plan time for the process — The upgrade can take from half an hour to a couple of hours depending on your hardware and internet speed.

Windows 11 keeps many familiar parts of Windows 10, such as the taskbar and the built-in file manager, while refining the look and adding features like better window layouts and improved touch handling. Most applications that run on Windows 10 also run on Windows 11 without changes.

Replace The PC With New Hardware

On older machines, Windows 11 might not be available because of missing hardware features such as TPM 2.0. In that case, the safest long-term choice often is a new PC that ships with Windows 11 out of the box.

Get a long-lived device — A current Windows 11 laptop or desktop should receive updates for many years, putting this whole end-of-life topic out of mind for a long time.
Save hassle on drivers — New hardware arrives with drivers and firmware ready for Windows 11, which cuts down on odd glitches during setup.
Look for trade-in deals — Many retailers offer credit for old laptops that still boot, which softens the cost of moving on from Windows 10.

Switch To Another Operating System

A small slice of users decide that the Windows 10 deadline is a chance to switch to a different platform instead of moving to Windows 11. Lightweight Linux distributions or ChromeOS Flex can breathe new life into older hardware that no longer meets Microsoft’s requirements.

Try before you commit — Many Linux distributions run live from a USB stick, so you can see whether your hardware works well without touching your current Windows install.
Match your apps — If your work depends on Windows-only programs, a move to Linux or ChromeOS Flex may not suit you unless you are happy running those tools in a virtual machine or switching to web versions.
Keep one Windows device handy — Some people swap their main PC to Linux while keeping a spare Windows 11 laptop for tasks that still need native Windows software.

Practical Timeline To Move Away From Windows 10

Knowing the dates is one thing; turning them into an action plan is another. This simple timeline shows how you can turn the remaining Windows 10 window into a smooth transition instead of a rush.

Step 1: Check Your Situation This Week

Start by confirming three facts: which edition you run, whether version 22H2 is installed, and whether your hardware passes the Windows 11 checks. Once you know those pieces, the path ahead becomes clearer.

If you are already on Windows 11 — You do not need to do anything. Just keep updates turned on and treat the Windows 10 dates as history trivia.
If you have Windows 10 and can upgrade — Plan a free weekend afternoon or quiet evening to run the Windows 11 upgrade and test your key apps.
If you have Windows 10 and cannot upgrade — Decide whether you prefer to enroll in ESU for an extra year or set a budget for new hardware soon.

Step 2: Decide On ESU Versus Immediate Upgrade

ESU gives you time, while an immediate jump to Windows 11 gives you a fresh start right away. There is no single right answer; it depends on your comfort level with change, your budget, and how much software you need to test.

Pick ESU if you need breathing room — Maybe your main business app is still being certified on Windows 11, or your budget is tied up for a few more months.
Pick an early upgrade if you like stability — Moving to Windows 11 now means you spend the ESU year learning and adjusting instead of worrying about looming dates.

Step 3: Aim To Finish Before The Final ESU Patch

The last big milestone for home Windows 10 users is October 13, 2026. By that day, you want either a Windows 11 system in daily use or a clear plan that keeps you safe on another platform.

Set a personal deadline — Mark a date several months before October 2026 to finish your move so you are not making changes at the last minute.
Test backups and recovery — When you migrate, always keep at least one full backup of your old Windows 10 installation so you can retrieve documents if something goes wrong.
Review old devices — Some very old PCs might be better retired or wiped and reused offline rather than kept on a network after updates stop.

Once you reach that point, Windows 10 can stay on an old machine for nostalgia or very limited offline tasks, but it should no longer sit at the center of your digital life.

Bottom Line On Windows 10 Discontinuation Dates

The short version is this: Microsoft finished regular updates for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Through ESU, home users can stretch security fixes to October 13, 2026, and some business-oriented editions last longer, even out to the next decade in narrow cases.

For most people, the smart move is to treat those dates as a final reminder, not an excuse to delay forever. Check your current edition and version, see whether your hardware can run Windows 11, and choose a plan that gets you onto a well-maintained operating system before the last Windows 10 patches fade into history.