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Your Windows 10 PC: Options to Stay Secure as End-of-Life Nears

With Windows 10's end of support now just 3 months out (October 14, 2025), it's more critical than ever to understand your choices for keeping your PC secure, for those that cannot upgrade to Windows 11.

Windows 10, the workhorse operating system for millions, is rapidly approaching its official end of support on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates, feature updates, or technical assistance. While your computer will still function, continuing to use it without critical security patches leaves it highly vulnerable to new threats.

For many, the simple answer from Microsoft is "just buy a new PC." However, for those with perfectly capable hardware that doesn't meet Windows 11's strict requirements, or for anyone looking to save money, that's not always a practical or desirable solution.

The good news is, you have options. While some clarity has emerged from Microsoft regarding "free" pathways, it's crucial to understand the practical costs and efforts involved. My goal here is to help you navigate these choices to keep your incompatible Windows 10 PC secure without breaking the bank.

The Core Paths to Consider

1. Do Nothing and Continue Using Unsupported Windows 10 (Not Recommended)

This is the path of least resistance, but also the path of greatest risk. Your PC will continue to boot up and run your programs just as it does today. However, once October 14, 2025, passes, your Windows 10 operating system will no longer receive free security patches. As new vulnerabilities are discovered by cybercriminals, your system will remain exposed, making it increasingly susceptible to malware, viruses, ransomware, and data theft. For any PC connected to the internet, this option is highly inadvisable.

2. Pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU) from Microsoft

If you want to keep your Windows 10 operating system officially supported by Microsoft with ongoing security updates, the Extended Security Update (ESU) program is an option.

  • What it is: This program provides critical and important security updates for your Windows 10 operating system beyond the official end-of-life date.

  • Cost: For individual consumers, the cost for the first year (covering October 2025 - October 2026) is $30 USD.

  • Limitation: It's important to note that this ESU program for consumers is currently offered for only one year. Unlike for businesses or educational institutions, options for Year 2 or Year 3 for individual users have not been announced.

  • Eligibility: Your PC does not need to meet Windows 11 hardware requirements to qualify for ESU, provided it has a genuine Windows 10 license and is updated to version 22H2.

3. Fully Migrate to a Linux-based Operating System (A Truly Free, Long-Term Solution)

This path involves replacing your Windows 10 operating system entirely with a Linux-based alternative. This is arguably the most robust and truly free long-term solution for getting continued security updates on older hardware.

  • What it is: Linux is a family of free, open-source operating systems. Many versions (called "distributions" or "distros") are designed to be user-friendly and lightweight, making them perfect for breathing new life into aging PCs.

  • Benefits: These operating systems receive ongoing security updates from their communities, often run faster and more efficiently on older hardware than Windows 10, and involve no licensing costs whatsoever.

  • Recommendations:

    • ChromeOS Flex: This is an excellent, very user-friendly option that can transform an older PC into a Chromebook. It's built for speed and simplicity.

    • Other popular and user-friendly Linux distributions include Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Ubuntu.

  • App Compatibility: A common concern is "missing apps." However, you have many options:

    • Most popular services (like Google Docs, Microsoft 365 Free, streaming services) have excellent web-based versions.

    • If you choose ChromeOS Flex, you can often install Android apps directly from the Google Play Store, giving you access to a huge mobile app ecosystem.

    • Many full desktop Linux applications (like LibreOffice for productivity) are available. If you need something specific, a helpful "family computer nerd" can often assist with installation.

  • Cost: This option has no direct monetary cost for the operating system itself, offering genuine long-term savings.

The New "Free" ESU Options: Understanding the Practicalities

Microsoft has recently introduced a couple of new pathways to get Extended Security Updates that are presented as "free" for consumers. However, it's vital to understand the practical conditions and potential indirect costs involved for the average user.

4. "Free" ESU for One Year by Syncing with OneDrive

  • The Offer: Microsoft states that consumers can receive one year of ESU for their Windows 10 operating system (until October 2026) at "no additional cost" by enabling Windows Backup and syncing their Documents folder to OneDrive.

  • How it Works: Windows Backup is a feature that helps link your PC's settings and data to your OneDrive cloud storage account.

  • The Catch (Potential Indirect Cost):

    • A standard free Microsoft account only includes 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage.

    • It is highly unlikely the "average" or "typical" Windows 10 user's personal data (including documents, photos, music, and videos) will fit within this 5 GB limit. (For context, some reports from just a few years ago suggested the "average person" stores around 500 GB of data in their personal cloud storage.)

    • The Reality: Most users will almost certainly need to pay for additional OneDrive storage to utilize this option. The most common upgrade is the 100 GB Microsoft 365 Basic plan, which costs $1.99 per month (totaling $23.88 per year) or $19.99 per year if paid annually. So, while the ESU itself is "free," it often comes with an indirect, ongoing cost to keep your data synced.

    • Requirement: A Microsoft account is necessary to use OneDrive and this ESU path.

5. "Free" ESU for One Year by Redeeming Microsoft Rewards Points

  • The Offer: Another pathway to obtain one year of ESU for your Windows 10 OS is by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.

  • How Points Are Earned: Points are primarily accumulated by using Bing for web searches and Microsoft Edge for Browse, along with completing daily quizzes and tasks on the Rewards dashboard.

  • The Practical Effort and Time for "Average Joe":

    • Most users rely on Google for search and Google Chrome for Browse. It's generally thought that Bing's search results are inferior to Google's, and based on my own experience, I agree. Similarly, Chrome is generally thought to be superior to Edge. Personally, my biggest issue with Edge is the constant Microsoft push to use it and its features, which Google doesn't seem to replicate in the same intrusive way with Chrome.

    • Due to these common preferences, the "Average Joe" would need to make a significant behavioral change to start accumulating points. If they only switch to Bing/Edge for natural, typical daily searching (around 126 searches per month), it would take roughly 1.5 to 2 months of consistent use to earn the necessary 1,000 points. This makes the "free" ESU via Rewards a "pay with time and effort" option rather than a truly effortless freebie for most.

  • Requirement: A Microsoft account is necessary to participate in the Microsoft Rewards program.

Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 (Important Clarity)

A common point of confusion revolves around Microsoft Office applications. Will they stop working or become insecure on Windows 10 after October 2025? Here's the clarification:

  • Key Point: While Windows 10 operating system support ends, Microsoft 365 (subscription) apps like Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams will continue to receive security updates on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028.

  • What this means: This is good news! These apps will continue to work and remain secure with updates for an additional three years. However, it's crucial to remember that the underlying Windows 10 OS itself would still need ESU (or you'd need to migrate to an alternative OS) to remain secure.

  • Note: Perpetual (one-time purchase) Office licenses, such as Office 2016 and Office 2019, will lose all support across all operating systems on October 14, 2025.

Making Your Decision: Which Path is Right for Your Incompatible PC?

Choosing the best option for your Windows 10 PC before October 14, 2025, requires a bit of thought, but it empowers you to stay secure and save money. Consider these factors:

  • Your Budget: Are you looking for a truly free solution (Linux/ChromeOS Flex), willing to pay a small annual fee for ESU, or comfortable with the potential indirect cost of OneDrive storage?

  • Technical Comfort: How comfortable are you with the idea of learning a new operating system like Linux?

  • Your Data Volume: Check the size of your Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos folders to see if you'd easily exceed OneDrive's 5 GB free tier.

  • Your Habits: Are you willing to change Browse and searching habits to earn Microsoft Rewards points?

In my opinion, for most users with incompatible Windows 10 PCs, I strongly recommend changing to a Linux-based operating system on the same hardware. And for the vast majority of those users, ChromeOS Flex would be the way to go. It offers a truly free, secure, and long-term solution that breathes new life into older machines with a familiar, easy-to-use interface. Ultimately, however, it's up to you, the user, to make the call based on your unique needs.

Evaluate your current PC's capabilities and your daily usage to make the most informed and practical choice.

Conclusion

The clock is ticking for Windows 10 users with PCs that won't upgrade to Windows 11. While the path of "doing nothing" is the riskiest, there are now more viable options than ever to keep your computer secure. Whether it's embracing a truly free alternative like ChromeOS Flex, opting for Microsoft's paid ESU, or navigating the nuanced "free" ESU options via OneDrive or Microsoft Rewards, taking action is key.

My Streaming Life is all about empowering you to make smart, cost-effective decisions for your tech, and finding the right path for your Windows 10 PC before October 2025 is a prime example of taking control of your digital future.

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