Windows 10 End of Support: What Whitby & Oshawa Computer Owners Must Do Now
Microsoft stopped releasing security updates for Windows 10 in October 2025. If your computer is still running it, here's what you need to know.
What "End of Support" Actually Means
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. That means Microsoft no longer releases security patches, bug fixes, or updates of any kind for the operating system.
Your computer doesn't stop working the day support ends. Windows 10 still runs. But from that point on, any security holes that get discovered in the software stay open — permanently. Criminals who find those holes can use them to get into your computer, and there is no patch coming to close them.
Why That's a Real Problem — Not Just Tech Noise
People sometimes hear "end of support" and think it's marketing pressure to buy something new. It isn't. We've heard this concern from customers in Whitby, Oshawa, and Bowmanville who are still running Windows 10 on machines that work fine day-to-day. Here's why it actually matters for everyday computer use:
- Online banking. When you log in to your bank, you trust that your computer is secure enough to protect your credentials. An unpatched machine is a weaker link in that chain.
- Email. Phishing attacks and malicious attachments are more dangerous on an unpatched system because the defences that would normally catch them may be compromised.
- Ransomware. Several major ransomware outbreaks in recent years specifically exploited unpatched Windows vulnerabilities. Out-of-support machines are prime targets.
- Your antivirus has limits. Antivirus software helps, but it can't fully compensate for an operating system that is no longer receiving security fixes. They work together — one is not a substitute for the other.
Your Options
You have a few paths, depending on your situation:
- Check if your PC can upgrade to Windows 11 for free. If your computer meets Microsoft's hardware requirements, you may be able to upgrade at no cost. The main requirement is a chip called TPM 2.0 — most computers made after 2018 have it, many older ones don't. You can check by pressing the Windows key, typing "PC Health Check," and running the app.
- Buy Extended Security Updates (ESU). Microsoft offered a paid ESU program that gives Windows 10 users up to three additional years of security patches. This is a short-term option — it buys time, but it's not a long-term solution, and it costs money each year.
- Replace the computer. If your machine is too old to run Windows 11 and the cost of ESU doesn't make sense, replacing it is often the most practical answer. A newer machine running a supported operating system is genuinely safer, and it will run noticeably faster too.
How Skyview Can Help
Every Grade A off-lease computer we sell ships with a genuine Windows 11 Pro licence — a clean install with all current updates applied before it leaves our bench. You're not inheriting someone else's old setup. You're starting fresh on a supported, up-to-date operating system. We serve customers from Ajax, Pickering, and across Durham Region — drop in or call ahead.
If you're not sure whether your current computer can make the jump to Windows 11, bring it in or give us a call. Our repair counter can assess upgrade eligibility for $49.99 — and if you decide to go ahead with any work, that diagnostic fee is applied toward the job. See all options on our computer repair page.
Call us at 905-655-3661, visit us at 46 Baldwin St N in Whitby, or message us on WhatsApp — we're happy to talk through the options with you.