Latest news with #PCowners
Forbes
6 days ago
- Forbes
How To Get Another Year Of Windows 10 For Free
Microsoft will provide another year of free updates for Windows 10 Microsoft is offering Windows 10 users another year of free security updates – but only if they're willing to back up their settings to the cloud. Windows 10 support is due to end in October, potentially leaving hundreds of millions of PC owners without security updates. Microsoft had previously announced that it would offer consumers Extended Security Updates for one year for a fee of $30. Now, however, it's announced a way that consumers can get those updates without paying a cent. How To Get Free Windows 10 Updates The company says that Extended Security Updates will be offered to Windows 10 users through an 'enrollment wizard' – a screen that pops-up and guides you through the process. Consumers will be given three choices to enroll in the security updates: Using the first option will require users to sign up for a Microsoft account. Some Windows 10 users have refused to move to Windows 11, precisely because it practically insists that you sign up for a Microsoft account to log in to the operating system. Microsoft is arguably using the promise of free security updates as bait to get people to sign up, giving the company an opportunity to reach those people with marketing messages. Those who enroll will receive the Extended Security Updates until October 13, 2026. Microsoft has previously claimed that it will only offer consumers Extended Security Updates for a year, although business customers can pay for extended updates for up to three years. There's a stiff financial penalty for businesses that do cling to Windows 10, however. The first year of updates will cost businesses $61, and that fee doubles in year two and doubles again in year three. Will Windows 10 Stop Working Without Updates? Even if you decide not to take the free Extended Security Updates, Windows 10 won't suddenly stop working on October 14, when support comes to an end. Although users will likely be barraged with unavoidable pop-up messages warning them of the dangers of running an unsupported operating system, Windows 10 will still work. However, there is undoubtedly greater risk in running an operating system that is not receiving patches for known security flaws, which could be exploited by malware gangs. Those risks could be lessened by continuing to run up-to-date security software. It's highly likely that antivirus firms will continue to update their software beyond the October cut-off, as they did for several years after Windows 7's support came to an end, so users won't be left completely unprotected. It's also likely that many software firms will continue to update their products for Windows 10 beyond October, including browser makers. The long and short of it is that Windows 10 is going to be with us for a good while yet. Given that it's still the most used version of Windows, according to the latest Statcounter figures, Microsoft's hopes of shoving Windows 10 into retirement this fall are looking ever more unlikely.
The Sun
10-05-2025
- The Sun
Global Microsoft closure means 400m computers to stop working properly
WHAT A E-WASTE Not everyone can upgrade with the simple tap of a button Millie Turner , Senior Technology & Science Reporter Published : 7:30, 10 May 2025 MILLIONS of computers will soon be at risk of unfixable glitches and bugs that could render laptops and PCs unusable. Gadget owners will need to act soon to keep their PCs and data safe from a cyber attack as Microsoft plans to wind down a key service. 3 Fortunately, 500million PCs currently running on Windows 10 software can upgrade to Windows 11 Credit: Getty The tech giant has warned it will be ending support for Windows 10 software on 14 October 2025. Roughly 900million computer owners are set to be affected. But it will be the beginning of the end for roughly 400million PCs. "After 14 October 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10," Microsoft writes in a help page on its website. "Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11. "Windows 11 offers a modern and efficient experience designed to meet current demands for heightened security." Fortunately, 500million PCs currently running on Windows 10 software can upgrade to Windows 11. Last year, it was revealed that around 130million Windows 10 users had switched to Windows 11 as part of the transition. But not everyone can upgrade with the simple tap of a button. Some PCs simply cannot run Windows 11. Early Skype ads reveal the 'magic' of app as Microsoft vows to shut it down forever Windows 11 has specific hardware requirements, meaning PCs built in 2008 or earlier won't be able to support it. You can check if your Windows 10 PC is eligible to upgrade to Windows 11 by selecting the Start button, then going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If the option for Windows 11 appears, then you're in luck. But if not, then it may be time to consider buying a new PC. 3 Millions of PCs could soon become e-waste in landfills Credit: Getty Campaigners have warned that millions of people will have to chuck out their old gadgets in favour of something newer. Microsoft has allowed individuals to extend support for Windows 10 for a fee, following a campaign by p ublic interest advocacy group PIRG last year. "In one year, Microsoft plans to end support for Windows 10," they wrote in October , "potentially rendering up to 400million computers obsolete overnight." The group added: "This decision could trigger the single largest surge in junked computers in history, with dire consequences for both consumers and the environment ." It's not just a landfill issue, campaigners have warned, but a security one. With no support from Microsoft, any bugs and glitches that arise in Windows 10 will not be fixed. This leaves them open for hackers to exploit, which could result in an uptick in malware, viruses and ransomware. 3 Some PCs simply cannot run Windows 11 Credit: Getty
