Windows 10 Security Updates End on 13 October 2026: What to Do Now

If you still use a Windows 10 PC at home, an important deadline has arrived. Microsoft’s one-year Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for consumers ends on 13 October 2026. After that date, home PCs running Windows 10 stop receiving security patches from Microsoft, no matter how they were enrolled.

Your computer will not suddenly stop working. But every new security flaw found after that date will stay open on your machine. This guide explains what is changing, what it means for people in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, and the practical options for keeping your PC and your data safe.

What exactly ends on 13 October 2026?

Windows 10 reached its official end of support on 14 October 2025. To give people more time, Microsoft offered a consumer ESU program that delivered critical and important security fixes for one extra year to PCs running Windows 10 version 22H2.

Microsoft’s own guidance confirms that 13 October 2026 is both the last day to enroll in consumer ESU and the last day updates are delivered under it. Enrolling now does not extend coverage beyond that date, and there is no paid second year for home users (Microsoft Q&A). Businesses can buy further years through volume licensing, but that option is not available to individuals.

A few things do continue for a while longer:

• Microsoft Defender Antivirus will keep receiving security intelligence (virus definition) updates on Windows 10 through October 2028.
• Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, Outlook and so on) will get security updates on Windows 10 until October 2028, although feature updates stopped in August 2026 (Thurrott).

These help, but they do not replace operating system patches. Antivirus definitions cannot fix a hole in Windows itself.

Why running an unpatched PC is risky

Attackers pay close attention to end-of-support dates. Once patches stop, any newly discovered weakness in Windows 10 becomes a permanent opening on every unpatched machine. That matters most for PCs you use for:

• Online banking, shopping and paying bills
• Email, especially if you open attachments
• Work or study accounts
• Storing family photos, tax documents and ID scans

Many banks, employers and software makers also stop supporting older operating systems over time, so some apps and services may eventually refuse to run or log in.

Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11 for free (if your PC qualifies)

If your computer meets Windows 11’s hardware requirements, the upgrade from a valid Windows 10 licence is free. Windows 11 keeps receiving security and feature updates.

How to check

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If your PC is eligible, Windows will usually show an offer to upgrade.
2. If you see no offer, download Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app, which tells you whether your PC qualifies and why not.

The most common blockers are an older processor and the lack of a TPM 2.0 security chip or Secure Boot. On some PCs, TPM and Secure Boot are simply switched off in the firmware settings and can be turned on. If you are not comfortable changing those settings, ask a local repair shop.

Before you upgrade

• Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage.
• Make sure you know the passwords for your Microsoft account, email and key apps.
• Install all pending Windows 10 updates first so the upgrade starts from a clean base.

Option 2: Replace the PC

If your PC cannot run Windows 11, the safest long-term option is a newer computer. Be aware that laptop and PC prices have risen in 2026 because of a global memory chip shortage. Our explainer on why phones and laptops cost more in 2026 covers why, and how to buy smart.

Ways to keep the cost down:

• Manufacturer-refurbished PCs come with a warranty and are often much cheaper than new.
• Previous-generation models are usually discounted and run Windows 11 well.
• Trade-in and recycling schemes from retailers and manufacturers can offset part of the price and dispose of your old PC responsibly.

Before recycling or selling your old computer, back up your files and then reset it (Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC, choosing the option to remove everything) so your personal data cannot be recovered.

Option 3: Switch the old PC to a different operating system

An older PC that cannot run Windows 11 does not have to become e-waste. Two popular free options are:

• ChromeOS Flex from Google, which turns many older PCs into a simple, web-focused computer that receives regular updates. It suits people who mainly use a browser, email and streaming.
• Linux distributions such as Linux Mint or Ubuntu, which are free, updated regularly and run well on older hardware. They suit people willing to learn a slightly different system.

Check first that the apps you rely on, especially any work software, are available on the new system or through a web browser.

Option 4: If you must stay on Windows 10 for now

Sometimes there is no immediate alternative, for example if a PC runs one specific program that will not work elsewhere. If you have to keep using Windows 10 briefly, reduce the risk:

• Install every available update before the deadline.
• Keep Microsoft Defender or another reputable security suite running and updated.
• Use a supported, up-to-date browser and keep it updated.
• Avoid using the PC for online banking and sensitive accounts; use a phone or newer device instead.
• Use a standard (non-administrator) account for daily use.
• Turn on two-factor authentication for your important accounts. Our guide to the best authenticator apps explains how.
• Keep regular backups so a ransomware attack cannot hold your files hostage.

Treat this as a short-term bridge, not a permanent setup.

Watch out for “Windows support” scams

Deadlines like this are a gift to scammers. Expect fake pop-ups, emails, texts and phone calls claiming that “your Windows licence has expired” or “your PC is infected” and asking you to call a number, install remote-access software or pay for an “upgrade”.

• Microsoft does not cold-call people about their PCs.
• The Windows 11 upgrade for eligible PCs is free through Windows Update.
• Never let a stranger take remote control of your computer.

If you receive one of these calls or messages, our guide on how to report scam texts and calls in the US, UK, Canada and Australia lists exactly where to report it.

Quick decision guide

Frequently asked questions

Will my Windows 10 PC stop working after 13 October 2026?

No. It will keep running, but it will no longer receive security updates from Microsoft, so new vulnerabilities will not be fixed.

Can I still pay for more Windows 10 updates as a home user?

No. The consumer ESU program covered one year only and ends on 13 October 2026. Further paid years are available to organizations, not individuals.

Is the upgrade to Windows 11 free?

Yes, for PCs that meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements and have a valid Windows 10 licence.

Is my antivirus enough to keep Windows 10 safe?

Antivirus helps, and Defender definitions continue until 2028, but it cannot fix security flaws in Windows itself. It reduces risk without removing it.

Does this affect people in the UK, Canada and Australia too?

Yes. The consumer ESU end date applies to home users in all four countries.

Sources

• Microsoft Q&A: Windows 10 consumer ESU end date
• Microsoft Support: Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates program
• Thurrott: Defender and Microsoft 365 support timelines on Windows 10
• Neowin: How consumer ESU worked