Windows 10 support extended by one more year until 2027

Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will receive an extra year of support, extending the lifespan of its older operating system. The news comes as the PC market faces a difficult period.

Windows 10 had been due to reach the end of support on 14 October 2025, when Microsoft was expected to stop issuing security updates and leave the operating system fully outdated. In Europe, the Redmond company had ultimately granted users one free additional year. It has now confirmed that support will be extended for a further year.

As a result, people still using Windows 10 will not necessarily have to replace their PC before October. The US company explained:

“We understand that moving to a new PC can take time. As part of our ongoing commitment to helping customers stay protected during this transition, the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme for personal devices is being extended by an additional year. Coverage will now be available through 12 October 2027. This gives our customers more time and flexibility to find the PC that best fits their needs, while helping them remain protected.”

Windows 10 gains another year amid a market downturn

The end of Windows 10 has encouraged many users to move to Windows 11. However, the newer system requires particular hardware specifications, including a TPM 2.0 chip on the motherboard. Older computers do not always include this component. Those machines therefore risk becoming obsolete: they must either switch to alternative operating systems such as Linux, be discarded, or remain exposed to every kind of threat.

Windows 11 hardware requirements and the RAM crisis

This situation helped boost the PC market during the final quarter of 2025. Yet that positive momentum completely collapsed in 2026 because of the RAM crisis, which is affecting every area of the technology sector. Consequently, the remaining users who had not yet made the switch are now faced with excessive prices at online retailers. Sales are inevitably declining and, without sufficient funds, many people are staying on Windows 10 even though it will soon no longer be protected.

Security updates only until 2027

Microsoft has extended Windows 10 security updates for this reason. Released in 2015, the operating system is now entering its twelfth year of use and is close to surpassing the Windows XP record. No further major updates will be released, of course; only security fixes will continue to be provided, allowing users to keep using it with peace of mind.

This extension remains exceptional, however. Anyone still using Windows 10 is advised to upgrade as soon as possible. In 2027, the operating system is expected to be abandoned entirely - unless Microsoft grants another extension should the RAM crisis continue.