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Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. More than one French person in three still uses Windows 10 today — perhaps you. If that's the case, don't panic, but you do need to make a decision over the coming months.
Here are the 4 concrete options, without scaremongering and without pushing you to buy something you don't need.
What "end of support" really means
Your PC keeps working exactly as before. Windows 10 isn't going to stop overnight, your programs carry on running, you can still use it.
What changes: Microsoft no longer releases security updates. Every newly discovered flaw will go unpatched. You stay vulnerable indefinitely to new viruses, ransomware and browser exploits. That's the real issue.
What are the real risks?
Honestly, for moderate personal use (email, careful browsing, office work), the immediate risk is low. You won't become a prime target within 3 days.
But the risks rise over time:
- Software (browsers, antivirus, office suites) will gradually drop Windows 10 support. Within 1-2 years, Chrome or Edge could stop working properly.
- Some banking or government websites could block out-of-date browsers.
- Ransomware targets unpatched systems first. The peak always comes 6-18 months after an end of support.
- Your home insurance may refuse to cover a hack if you're running an obsolete system (yes, they do check).
Your 4 options in practice
To decide, you first need to know whether your PC is compatible with Windows 11. Open Settings → System → About. If you see "Windows 11 compatible", good news. If not, Microsoft provides a free tool called PC Health Check that tells you why your PC isn't compatible.
Most PCs from before 2018 don't make the cut, because of the TPM 2.0 requirement (a security chip missing from older hardware).
Option 1: upgrade to Windows 11 (free if compatible)
If your PC is compatible: Windows 11 is free for machines already running a legitimate copy of Windows 10. The upgrade keeps your files, your programs and your settings.
Allow 1 to 2 hours. My recommendations before you start:
- Back up your important data to an external drive first. Upgrades rarely fail, but you're never completely safe.
- Check that you have at least 30 GB free on the system drive.
- Start the upgrade in the evening and let it run — this is not the moment to unplug anything.
After installation, Windows 11 is generally good: a cleaner interface, slightly faster on recent PCs. A few habits to relearn (a centred Start menu, a shortened right-click menu), nothing drastic.
Option 2: extend Windows 10 (Extended Security Updates)
Under pressure, Microsoft agreed to open an ESU programme to individuals that extends Windows 10 security updates until October 2026 (and beyond for businesses, at a higher price).
Cost: ~$30 for 1 year (individuals), free in some cases if you sync your settings with your Microsoft account.
Who it suits: you have a PC that works well, that isn't Windows 11 compatible, and you want to buy yourself a year to budget calmly for a new machine. That's perfectly reasonable.
The catch: it's only a reprieve. By 2027, you'll have to move.
Option 3: buy a new PC
If your PC is 8-10 years old and already slow, fragile, or the laptop battery is dead, the end of Windows 10 is a good opportunity to replace it. A decent entry-level new PC costs €500-700, a versatile mid-range one €800-1100.
My advice if you go down this route:
- At least 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of SSD. Below that, you'll be disappointed within 2-3 years.
- Avoid the very cheapest models (Celeron, 1366×768 screen) — they're already obsolete the moment you buy them.
- Consider professional refurbished PCs (ThinkPad, Latitude, EliteBook): for €400-500, you get far sturdier hardware than a new consumer PC at the same price.
Option 4: switch to Linux (Mint or Ubuntu)
An underrated solution: if your PC is too old for Windows 11 but still works well, you can install Linux Mint on it, a free, secure, actively updated distribution designed to look like Windows. The machine gets a second lease of life, often faster than it was with Windows 10.
What works: web browsing, email, office work (LibreOffice or Office online), video calls, music, video. What doesn't work: specific Windows software with no equivalent (some business applications), certain games.
A real case: a client in Le Cannet, 70 years old, a 2014 laptop not compatible with Windows 11. He uses it for email + Le Monde + Doctolib + photos of the grandchildren. A Linux Mint installation, 1 hour on site, €80: a smooth, secure PC, and he kept using his old hardware for another 3-4 years before buying a new one.
What I recommend for your situation
If your PC is Windows 11 compatible: do the upgrade. Free, painless, recommended.
If your PC is less than 5 years old but isn't Windows 11 compatible: use ESU to gain a year, then reassess based on the state of the PC at that point.
If your PC is more than 7 years old and you're happy with it: Linux Mint, seriously. Almost free, and you put off buying a new one for several years.
If your PC is worn out (dead battery, slow, tired screen): get a new machine. Take the opportunity to go for something new, or solid refurbished.
Not sure how to proceed in Le Cannet, Cannes or Mougins? Free diagnosis: I look at your PC, check Windows 11 compatibility, assess the condition of the hardware, and suggest the most cost-effective option for your usage. I can then carry out the upgrade, the Linux installation or the move to a new PC. See the migration service or contact me.