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Windows 10 Cyber Threat Looms for Millions
7 Mar
Summary
- Microsoft ends Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025.
- Unsupported PCs are vulnerable to cyber attacks and data theft.
- Around 21 million UK residents use Windows 10 PCs.
Microsoft's official support for Windows 10 concluded on October 14, 2025. Users who extended their licenses have until October 13, 2026, for continued security updates. After this date, PCs running Windows 10 will no longer receive critical fixes or security patches from Microsoft. This lack of updates leaves these devices exposed to cybercriminals who actively seek vulnerabilities in unsupported software to steal personal data, including banking information. Many users have been notified by Microsoft about the impending end of support.
While Windows 10 will continue to function, its security will be compromised. Experts warn that unsupported software is a prime target for hackers aiming to exploit weaknesses. The consumer group Which? reports that approximately 21 million people in the UK are still using Windows 10. They recommend extending licenses where possible as an interim measure, but an upgrade is necessary after October 13, 2026. Not all Windows 10 PCs are compatible with the free upgrade to Windows 11, particularly older machines that originally ran Windows 7 or 8.1.
