By Jeff Parsons
Copyright tomsguide
Skip to main content
Tom’s Guide
Newsletters
View Profile
Search Tom’s Guide
You May Like
Windows 10 will die this fall — here’s how to survive
Don’t miss the deadline — you need Microsoft’s free security update before Windows 10 stops receiving support
Windows 10 dies in October — 3 ways to avoid upgrading to Windows 11
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Over-Ear Headphones
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Connections
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
Operating Systems
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
Home Brands
Popular Brands
View Phones
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
View Network Carriers
Android Phones
View Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
View Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Headphones
View Headphones
Over-Ear Headphones
View Speakers
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
View Entertainment
View Streaming
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
View Gaming
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Word Games
Connections
View Computing
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
View Hardware
View Software
Operating Systems
View Security
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
View VR & AR
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
View Laptops
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
View Desktops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
View Tablets
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
AI Engines
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
View Wellness
Mattresses
View Mattresses
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
View Fitness
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
View Outdoors
Home Brands
Popular Brands
Exclusive Apple Interview
iPhone 17 Pro
Wordle Today
Best laptops
Best Mattress
Don’t miss these
Windows Operating Systems
Windows 10 will die this fall — here’s how to survive
Windows Operating Systems
Don’t miss the deadline — you need Microsoft’s free security update before Windows 10 stops receiving support
Windows Operating Systems
Windows 10 dies in October — 3 ways to avoid upgrading to Windows 11
Windows Operating Systems
Don’t buy a new PC for Windows 11 just yet — this lightweight version can save your old Windows 10 PC
Windows Operating Systems
Microsoft’s next big Windows 11 25H2 update isn’t going to make anyone happy — here’s why
Windows Operating Systems
Fixing your broken Windows 11 PC is about to get even harder — here’s why
Windows Operating Systems
This Windows 11 feature drove me nuts. Microsoft’s finally fixing it — sort of
Windows Operating Systems
I review Windows laptops for a living, and these are the best keyboard shortcuts I found on Reddit
Windows Operating Systems
Windows 11 gets new AI-powered features in latest update — here’s 4 tools to try out now
Online Security
Microsoft Authenticator is going to delete your passwords on Friday — what to do right now
5 things to consider when buying a laptop, from a pro laptop reviewer
Windows Operating Systems
Microsoft confirms latest Windows 11 update is tanking streaming app performance
If there’s one laptop you could buy for life, it’s this one – here’s why
I review laptops for a living, and I’d buy these 3 to go back to school
Prime Day laptop deals LIVE — MacBooks, gaming laptops and Chromebooks worth grabbing before midnight
Operating Systems
Windows Operating Systems
Windows 10 support ends in less than 30 days — here are the options for PC owners right now
Jeff Parsons
17 September 2025
Windows 10 reaches end of life on October 14
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Windows 10 users now have less than 30 days before Microsoft stops supporting the operating system on October 14. The company recently published a reminder urging users to consider their options ahead of the switch-off date.
All editions of Windows 10, including Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions will no longer be supported, meaning they won’t receive Windows’ monthly security updates.
“The October 2025 monthly security update will be the last update available for these versions,” Microsoft wrote. “After this date, devices running these versions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats.”
You may like
Windows 10 will die this fall — here’s how to survive
Don’t miss the deadline — you need Microsoft’s free security update before Windows 10 stops receiving support
Windows 10 dies in October — 3 ways to avoid upgrading to Windows 11
To be clear, your Windows 10 laptop or desktop isn’t suddenly going to crumble into ash on the morning of October 15. However, using it will become far more risky as hackers and scammers seek to exploit the lack of security support.
Thankfully, you do have options. I’m here to tell you what they are.
Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Perhaps the most obvious solution to the problem is to make the jump to Windows 11. According to Statcounter, Windows 11 overtook Windows 10 as the world’s most popular operating system around June of this year. But that still leaves a lot of people on Microsoft’s outdated operating system.
The difficulty with this option is Windows 11 has some pretty strict requirements that your old machine might not live up to. I personally had a Microsoft Surface Book (Gen 1) that I was very fond of but couldn’t meet the required specs for Windows 11.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Here’s the minimum spec you’ll need:
CPU: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
Storage: 64GB of larger
System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display: High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
Internet: Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.
For anyone familiar with Windows 10, its successor should feel quite familiar. Just make sure you check out the 15 top Windows 11 tips everyone needs to know before you get stuck in.
Option 2: Join the Windows ESU program
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
If you’re determined to hang on to Windows 10 for a bit longer, you can join Microsoft’s Windows 10 Extender Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of protection.
You may like
Windows 10 will die this fall — here’s how to survive
Don’t miss the deadline — you need Microsoft’s free security update before Windows 10 stops receiving support
Windows 10 dies in October — 3 ways to avoid upgrading to Windows 11
While this option grants you monthly security updates until October 13, 2026, you won’t get access to any non-security updates. That means things like new features or design changes. You also won’t get any technical support for your aging PC in the event of a problem.
In order to meet the requirements for the ESU program, your device will need to be running Windows 10 version 22H2 and have the KB5063709 security update. If that’s the case, you can find the option to enroll by heading to Settings > Updates & Security and scrolling to the bottom.
Taking part in this program used to cost, but Microsoft is offering two ways to do it for free:
Use Windows Backup to sync your settings to the cloud
Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points
The first method will be cost-free, providing you don’t go over the 5GB OneDrive limit that Microsoft gives each user. Otherwise, your best bet is to use points from your Microsoft Rewards account. And don’t worry if you don’t have any, Microsoft will give you 500 just for downloading the Bing smartphone app on Android and iOS.
Option 3: Buy a new PC
(Image credit: Future)
Here’s where the rubber meets the road and, all things considered, buying a new desktop PC or laptop may be the best option. The good news is, with retail events like Amazon’s Big Deal Days and Black Friday right around the corner, there are plenty of excellent deals on Windows 11-ready machines for you to take advantage of.
Your first port of call should be our guide to the best Windows laptops but my colleague Darragh Murphy has also picked out 5 Windows 11 options covering different prices and form factors.
For example, if it’s a laptop you’re looking for, he recommends the Acer Aspire Go 15, which comes running Windows 11, costs less than $400/£400 and offers everything an average user will need from their machine.
It’s got a 15-inch screen, two USB-A ports for a keyboard, mouse or USB stick, an HDMI for connecting to other monitors or a TV, a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones and a USB-C port for good measure. Even better, it comes with up to 10 hours of battery life, according to our testing.
Option 4: Switch to a Chromebook
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Best Chromebooks Tested
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Check out our list of the best Chromebooks right now based on our full reviews.
Windows isn’t the only game in town, and if you’re not wedded to Microsoft’s OS then picking up a Chromebook could be a good alternative. Google introduced the Chromebook Plus standard in 2023 and manufacturers duly responded with better specs, build quality and features. Yes, there’s a slight price increase over a standard Chromebook, but if you’re looking for a suitable Windows 10 replacement, this is what you should be looking at.
Opting for a Chromebook should be a factor if you’re already using Google’s suite of apps. But also, because so many other services are cloud-based (Netflix for movies or Nvidia GeForce Now for gaming to name a couple), you can get by with less storage or processing power.
The flip side is that without a strong and reliable internet connection, Chromebooks just aren’t as functional as their Windows or Mac counterparts. But regardless, if you’re not yet sold on Windows 11 then there are plenty of alternatives out there you can look at. I haven’t even mentioned Linux yet.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom’s Guide
5 things to look for when buying a laptop, from someone who reviews them for a living
I spent a week with this AI-powered mini PC and the buttons on the front earned it a permanent spot on my desk
5 questions to ask yourself when buying a PC, from someone who reviews them for a living
Back to Laptops
Intel Core i3
Intel Core i5
Intel Core i7
Storage Size
Screen Size
Refurbished
Screen Type
Showing 10 of 288 deals
Apple 13″ MacBook Air M4 (2025)
(256GB SSD)
Apple 15″ MacBook Air M4 (2025)
(15-inch 2TB)
$1,999.95View
Dell XPS 13 (2016)
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9)
(512GB OLED)
$858.11View
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14
$748.95View
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)
(14-inch 1TB)
$1,579View
Apple 13″ MacBook Air M4 (2025)
Apple 15″ MacBook Air M4 (2025)
(15-inch 256GB)
Dell XPS 13 Plus
$869.99View
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9)
$979.99View
Jeff Parsons
Social Links Navigation
UK Editor In Chief
Jeff is UK Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide looking after the day-to-day output of the site’s British contingent.
A tech journalist for over a decade, he’s travelled the world testing any gadget he can get his hands on. Jeff has a keen interest in fitness and wearables as well as the latest tablets and laptops.
A lapsed gamer, he fondly remembers the days when technical problems were solved by taking out the cartridge and blowing out the dust.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Windows 10 will die this fall — here’s how to survive
Don’t miss the deadline — you need Microsoft’s free security update before Windows 10 stops receiving support
Windows 10 dies in October — 3 ways to avoid upgrading to Windows 11
Don’t buy a new PC for Windows 11 just yet — this lightweight version can save your old Windows 10 PC
Microsoft’s next big Windows 11 25H2 update isn’t going to make anyone happy — here’s why
Fixing your broken Windows 11 PC is about to get even harder — here’s why
Latest in Windows Operating Systems
Microsoft alters how Xbox controllers access the Task menu in Windows 11 — how it works
Windows 10 is almost dead — here’s my top 5 Windows 11 picks to get before the deadline
Don’t buy a new PC for Windows 11 just yet — this lightweight version can save your old Windows 10 PC
Want to keep Windows 10? Here’s the one thing you must do before the October deadline
Microsoft’s next big Windows 11 25H2 update isn’t going to make anyone happy — here’s why
Microsoft confirms latest Windows 11 update is tanking streaming app performance
Latest in Features
These are the only 3 gadgets I bought when I became a dad — and one’s less than $30
I did yoga for 15 minutes every night before bed for a month — here’s how it transformed my sleep
Windows 10 support ends in less than 30 days — here are the options for PC owners right now
I did the Pilates ‘roll like a ball’ exercise for a week, and my mobility improved in a way I didn’t expect
Unlocking watchOS 26 — 7 new features Apple Watch users should check out now
Get a stronger core, firmer glutes, and a more mobile spine with these 7 Pilates exercises
LATEST ARTICLES
The ‘drunken monkey’ method is TikTok’s favorite relaxation for sleep technique — I tried it and it surprised me
Google just took down 224 malicious apps with 38 million installs from the Play Store — how to stay safe
6 CarPlay upgrades arriving with iOS 26 — what you need to know
Intermittent fasting turned me from a night owl to an early bird
Fake Meta suspension warnings used in new malware campaign — how to protect your devices and your data
Tom’s Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Accessibility Statement
Advertise with us
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
