Security risks associated with Windows 10 have become a more pressing concern for users.

Security risks associated with Windows 10 have become a more pressing concern for users.

      Beata Zawrzel / NurPhoto/Getty Images

      It seems that an increasing number of Windows 10 users are finally prepared to move on from the legacy operating system as it approaches its end-of-life status on October 14. Microsoft has been encouraging users to upgrade to the latest Windows 11 software before that deadline, and after months of hesitation, tens of millions of users are now choosing to make the update.

      Data from StatCounter indicates that the share of Windows 10 usage has dropped below 60% for the first time, with 58.7% of global users utilizing the system as of February 2025. In contrast, Windows 11's usage is gradually inching towards 40%, with 38.2% of worldwide users operating this version of Microsoft's OS.

      Importantly, StatCounter does not specify how users transition from one software version to another. Prior studies have indicated that businesses, in particular, tend to update to Windows 11 when they replace hardware rather than upgrading existing systems—even with PCs that meet the minimum requirements for the latest OS. Additionally, many companies are promoting desktops and laptops with appealing features, such as the Copilot + AI tool, along with Windows 11.

      The main issue arising from Windows 10 reaching its end-of-life status is that while Microsoft will cease active development of the system, it will also stop providing security updates for devices still operating on it. This situation could leave many devices exposed to cybersecurity threats.

      Microsoft intends to offer a 12-month security extension for Windows 10 users at a cost of $30, allowing the operating system to continue functioning beyond the designated end date. Users will need to sign up for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, with enrollment opening closer to October 14.

      Forbes has questioned whether Microsoft can effectively uphold its stringent policies regarding the Windows 10 end-of-life and ESU schedule. However, the Verge previously pointed out that the company might need to provide free security updates for outdated software under certain conditions, such as when responding to ransomware threats. A precedent was set in 2017 when an update was issued for the unsupported Windows XP OS.

      Fionna Agomuoh is a Computing Writer at Digital Trends, covering various topics in the tech field.

      Microsoft is intensifying its efforts against unsupported Windows 11 installations.

      A support document instructing users on how to install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs has been removed in the past two months. Its absence, noted by Neowin, reflects Microsoft's recent messaging about a "year of the Windows 11 PC refresh," which encourages (or compels) users to purchase new PCs that meet Windows 11's hardware requirements.

      When Windows 11 was introduced in 2021, Microsoft announced the addition of TPM 2.0 as a hardware prerequisite—a decision that faced considerable backlash. To mitigate the impact, Microsoft had previously released a support guide outlining how users could modify their registry key values to bypass the TPM 2.0 requirement.

      Microsoft has also announced significant changes for iPhone users accessing Windows.

      In a recent Windows Insider Blog post, Microsoft revealed that it will enable iPhone users to connect to their phones via the Start menu. With a special widget next to the Start menu, users can view information like notifications, battery status, recent contacts, and connection status upon connecting their phones.

      To utilize this feature, users need to be on the latest Windows 11 preview build from the Dev and Beta channels and must be Windows Insiders. They also need to ensure the Phone Link app is updated to version 1.24121.30.0 or higher, must have a Microsoft account, and possess a PC that supports Bluetooth LE. Microsoft has stated that this feature will not be available on PCs using Pro Education or Education SKUs. Even if this update does not directly affect you, the rollout will be phased, so it may take a while for it to reach your PC if you do not have it yet.

      Microsoft has confirmed an audio bug affecting multiple Windows versions.

      Microsoft has acknowledged a bug that has been impacting the audio systems of various Windows OS versions, promising a fix; however, users can implement a manual workaround for the issue.

      This bug is affecting the audio functions on Windows 11 and Windows 10 versions that installed the January 2025 security update, causing sound issues on PCs. This malfunction is particularly likely to occur if a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is connected to the computer via USB.

Security risks associated with Windows 10 have become a more pressing concern for users. Security risks associated with Windows 10 have become a more pressing concern for users. Security risks associated with Windows 10 have become a more pressing concern for users. Security risks associated with Windows 10 have become a more pressing concern for users. Security risks associated with Windows 10 have become a more pressing concern for users.

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Security risks associated with Windows 10 have become a more pressing concern for users.

Statistics show that an increasing number of users are transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as the October 14 end-of-life deadline for the old operating system draws near.