Goodbye Windows 10: the era is coming to an end

Operating System Operating System

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft officially ends support for Windows 10. And even if your PC won't shut down that day, it's clearly the end of an era for millions of users around the world.

Author
yuux
Co-founder of DropReference, I'm here to give you the best tips to build the gaming PC of your dreams!

Concretely, what does that mean?

From this date, Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates , nor bug fixes.

The new vulnerabilities will no longer be fixed, and hardware or software manufacturers will gradually stop ensuring that their products still run correctly on it.

You will be able continue to use your computer, of course But each passing month will make your system a little more vulnerable and a little less compatible with new apps or recent peripherals.

The ESU program, a temporary buoy

Microsoft offers a paid program called Extended Security Updates (ESU) . It allows users to extend the receipt of security updates for another year. But let's be honest: it's a patch, not a real solution .

And to access it, you now need link your computer to a Microsoft account No more the good old local account created without an online identifier.

In short, Windows 10 officially becomes a thing of the past .

Why this ending gives a little pinch in the heart

Windows 10, it was a bit the last OS where the user still had control over everything . It could be personalized, tinkered with, disable what we wanted, install what we wanted. It was simple, fast, and without too many frills.

Since Windows 11, the approach is different:

  • the interface is smoother,
  • the online account is mandatory,
  • Microsoft integrations (Copilot, Edge, OneDrive, etc.) are omnipresent.

It's more modern, more connected, but also more locked . And for many, it symbolizes the end of a "self" computing.

What to do now?

Here are the realistic options according to your situation:

Scenario What you can do Note
Your PC is compatible with Windows 11. Updates to Windows 11 You keep safety and full support
Your PC is not compatible. Install Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, ChromeOS Flex...) You lose some Windows software.
You want to delay Activate the ESU program (1 year) Paid and time-limited
You want to start fresh Change machine to a Windows 11 compatible model Plan the transfer of your data.
Swipe to view more

And if you stay on Windows 10...

You can totally do it - your computer will continue to work.

But it is necessary to be aware that:

  • Security updates will cease,
  • Some recent programs will refuse to install,
  • And web browsing will gradually become risky without security patches.

In other words: it is better to anticipate change now than to suffer later.

The future: an increasingly connected future

With Windows 11 (and soon Windows 12 ), we enter a new logic: that of an online operating system, constantly connected, focused on AI and cloud services .

It's convenient, but it changes our relationship with the machine. Before, your PC really belonged to you. Today, it becomes a gateway to a complete ecosystem - that of Microsoft .

And if Windows 10 leaves us with a hint of nostalgia, it is probably because it represented the last true playground for users.

Our opinion DropReference

This end marks a turning point in the way personal computing is conceived.

If you considering changing PC or upgrading to Windows 11 , it's the perfect time for rethink your setup You can also compare all compatible components directly on DropReference and check the best prices of the moment.