New Delhi: Microsoft has officially announced the deadline for Windows 10 support, marking it as the turning point for the millions of computers across India. From 14 October 2025, the operating system will no longer receive regular updates, leaving the users with two choices: upgrade to Windows 11 or pay for extended security coverage. Some of the industry experts say the move is timely, as many of the PCs bought during the pandemic are now due for replacement. The decision carries different consequences for the home users, small firms, and large enterprises.
Once Microsoft pulls the plug, Windows 10 devices will stop receiving feature improvements, security patches, and official technical support. This could expose the older PCs to higher risks of cyberattacks if the users do not act. The sector of baking, healthcare, and other compliance-driven industries cannot afford delays, analysts warn; they will have to either shift to Windows 11 or pay for the extended support. For those unwilling or unable to switch immediately, Microsoft will go on to offer Extended Security Updates at the cost of over Rs 5,300 per device, per year. This is an added burden for the businesses with the hundreds of machines still running Windows 10.
While the operating system itself will not be developed further, Microsoft is keeping certain services alive for several more years. Microsoft 365 application security updates until 10 October 2028, feature updates until August 2026. Microsoft Defender Antivirus will continue receiving critical security fixes. This ensures businesses can continue using the key productivity tools while they plan transitions. The shift may mean buying the latest PC sooner than expected. To the companies, the real challenge is balancing upgrade costs against the risk of running unsupported systems.
