Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-support Checklist has more holes than Swiss cheese
Microsoft will end support for its Windows 10 operating system this October officially. While users may extend support for a year by paying Microsoft, or longer, if they resort to hacks, many need to make a critical decision this year regarding the future of their PC.
Microsoft published a checklist for those users. The Windows 10 end of support checklist helps customers be prepared when end of support comes, according to Microsoft.
Problem is, Microsoft's main intent makes the checklist less usable than it could be. It is basically a reiteration of the end of support email that Microsoft sent out last month.
First, let us take a look at what Microsoft is suggesting.
The Windows 10 end of support checklist
Microsoft's list has four items:
- Check for Windows updates.
- Backup your data.
- Safely erase your data.
- Recycle your PC responsibly.
Microsoft's first suggestion is to make sure that Windows 10 is up to date. It does not mention the upgrade option to Windows 11 here, which seems like a missed opportunity.
While many Windows 10 PCs cannot be upgraded, some can and that would ensure that they receive security updates after October 2025, albeit on Windows 11.
Also, checking for updates only helps until October 2025, after which update delivery will end officially.
Backups
The second suggestion makes more sense on first glance. Backing up important data should be on every user's agenda regularly, but especially so when migrating to a new system.
Microsoft suggests to copy files manually to an external hard drive. This is a time consuming process. Most users may want to use backup software like Paragon Backup & Recovery Free for that instead.
The second suggestion that Microsoft gives is to move files to OneDrive. Here, Microsoft fails to note that OneDrive has a storage limit and that upgrades cost money. Also, moving certain files to OneDrive may get the account flagged by automatic scanning systems.
Erase data before recycling or giving away
Microsoft recommends that users erase data on their PC before they recycle the device or give it away. This prevents data leaks and unauthorized access.
The way to do that, according to Microsoft, is to go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and activate the Reset this PC option on the page. Users should then pick remove everything, and remove files and clean drive, to erase all data.
Recycling
Last but not least, Microsoft says that users should consider recycling the PC or trading it in for a new device (with Windows 11).
Here is what is missing
Microsoft's main goal with the checklist and the email is to get customers to purchase new Windows 11 PCs. It made the strategic decision to omit certain information to further that goal.
First, Microsoft mentions only in passing that an upgrade to Windows 11 may be a possibility. While the email did include an option to check if an upgrade is available, Microsoft's checklist mentions this only as an afterthought.
Second, Microsoft makes no mention of the Extended Security Updates program. This allows home users to extend support by a year and businesses by three years. Home users pay $39 for that. Another year could extend the life of the PC and give some users enough time to prepare for a new PC or migration.
While it is understandable that Microsoft does not mention third-party options, it is important to realize that these exist. Here are three main options:
- Micro-patching service 0Patch promised to deliver critical security updates for Windows 10 until at least 2030. This comes at a cost of about $30 per year and includes only critical or exploited issues. Still, it takes care of major vulnerabilities for years to come.
- Linux is an option to extend the life of a computer. While that requires some testing on the user's side, it is an option and would extend life of the PC for years to come.
- Upgrade an incompatible PC to Windows 11.
Closing Words
There you have it. You can choose to follow Microsoft by giving up on your Windows 10 PC, if it is not compatible with Windows 11, or consider one of the other options to extend the life of the hardware.
Now it is your turn. Do you still run Windows 10 on (some) of your devices? If so, what are your plans going forward? Feel free to leave a comment down below to join the discussion.
On massgrave.dev they have a simple command line that you run and then you can upgrade 10 Home or Pro to either 10 LTSC or 11 LTSC, while keeping EVERYTHING! I have tried all of these upgrade scenarios in VMs using Mass’s command line and all the upgrades work flawlessly. With ali’l knowledge, I promise you the tech savvy will not abandon their old computers. … I even have IoT 11 installed on some of my X570 boxes that I built in 2022 and on them I have IoT 11 running on the drives formatted to MBR and with so called secure boot & TPM disabled in UEFI. FTW!!!!
I placed a pre-order for a current generation laptop. My Windows 10 laptop is 11 years old. However, the tariff war may delay that purchase. If so, I’ll make use of the Extended Security Updates program.
If I was an user on Windows 10 and was told that I can’t update to Windows 11, I would either stick with Windows 10 or look for alternative OSes for my PC.
Last Windows version I liked was 7. In 2012, I was excited about 8 and tried it when still in beta and was disappointed and disgusted with it immediately. Then I decided I will continue to use 7 for as long as possible and on the PC I used at the time, it ran 7 until 2015 when Windows 10 came out, I used it for a few years out of the novelty of it, but I eventually returned to 7 and kept it until 2019 when I bought a new PC. Which had 10 and I kept it for a while, I tried to install 7, but found out the CPU wasn’t supported and setup would fail early in the beginning, then I found out this was an artificial problem, caused so people couldn’t install old OSes, not because the CPU somehow magically couldn’t support it, it was put in place when the CPU was designed for that sole reason, I bet Microsoft had a say in it. I also used 11 for a while just because it was new, but in the end I went back to 10 and planned to stick with it for as long as possible, but then I got really fed up with Windows and how it behaved like malware and other viruses and decided to move to Linux mint and have been using it for just over a year now, no plans on ever going back to Windows, the thought just makes me feel like going from a smartphone back to the phones from 2004.
I doubt many people will move to Linux, but I think the majority will just stick with Windows 10 for as long as possible, history shows how long people stuck with 7 and XP (especially XP) and I think the same will be here. Windows 10 will be like the new sore spot for Microsoft they won’t be able to get rid of for many years to come. And they have only themselves to blame. 11 may look nicer, but most of its “features” are just pure unwanted bloat and they have only themselves to blame. I also know people who don’t know much about computers and will use whatever they have as long as it works. They don’t even care about updates, don’t even notice when they have them and don’t install them, some, which are specialized in other fields and even use their computers on a daily basis have been telling me they are unsure if they use Windows 10 or Windows 11. Those kinds of people won’t even do anything unless Microsoft present them with some kind of message that even they can’t ignore about Windows 10 EoL and even then it’s possible that they won’t read it, close it and either forget about it or come to ask me what it means.
Recently a friend who works as a construction engineer asked me to help install E-signature on his PC. He followed the steps and everything several times, but couldn’t do it, I went and did it in about 15 minutes. What struck me is he didn’t pay attention to the information and results provided on every step and wouldn’t even think about doing something like a search for tutorials, especially video tutorials, even less so in English where English is not a native or official language to us. I also noticed in his system tray the yellow dot indicating he had updates not installed, but I didn’t even mention it, he probably doesn’t know or care and neither do I.
I can see Windows 10 used by about 30-40% of people until probably 2030. Unless they buy new computers that come with Windows 11 or whatever comes next, they will keep using it until their software supports it. And seeing as how they don’t update anything, not Windows, nor the software, I can safely say Microsoft have put themselves in a pickle with this forced updating to 11 and also this pathetic attempt at tricking people to throw their perfectly working computers in the garbage only because they can’t run the latest and greatest malware/spyware version of Windows.
Martin has some great articles on options for upgrading; the LTSC method is most notable–the results make Windows 11 a breath of fresh air. Nothing wrong with Windows 11. Be sure and read, read, read the notes provided for making the switch. It’s truly amazing!
I continue to use Windows 7 and will never upgrade to that junk that is Windows 11. When this PC dies, ill simply run Windows 7 VM through Linux.
I’ll also be moving to Win 10 LTSC using the massgrave.dev hack, at least for as long as the apps I use keep providing Win 10 support and upgrades.
I know Linux has fans, but for me, it’s still geekware.
Windows 10 and leave it that way. Hardware is still functioning well.
I have no intention of trying to upgrade my Win 10 machine. It will be better off without Microsoft’s interventions. Actually, I use my Win7 computer for almost everything. It is much more responsive than the Win10. Windows 11? Not even an OS anymore.
I switched to Linux Mint from Windows 7. It’s lighter on resources and much snappier than Windows 7 plus you get modern software support. I have AMD hardware so that’s plus.
> “Do you still run Windows 10 on (some) of your devices? If so, what are your plans going forward?”
Do I still run Windows 10? How could I given I’ve never ran it :)
If so, what are your plans going forward? Does not apply.
If not, which applies here, plans are a new PC running on Linux and blocking all connections to Microsoft servers as I already do with Windows 7, which I doubt I’d be able to do with Windows 11 & successors. Not to mention connections to the maximal feasible extent to servers of other members of the infamous GAFAM Hell’s Club. We’ve always wanted another WEB than what it has become, and strive for it. “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one”.
Still use a Win 8.1 laptop. No worries.
Had a fully functioning IBM Thinkpad from 1995… until I dropped it.
Primary machine is a laptop with Win 10.
If it ain’t broke …
Move to a defective Win 11 OS. Over my dead body.
If Microsoft don’t launch Windows 12 in September/October, in 6 months time there are about to be a lot of unsupported PCs out there. No-one is going to want to buy a new PC that comes with a four-year-old operating system.
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, Windows 10 ioT Enterprise LTSC 2019 are both supported until 9 Jan 2029
Windows 10 ioT Enterprise LTSC 2021 is supported until 13 Jan 2032
Windows 11 ioT Enterprise LTSC 2024 is supported until 10 Oct 2034
Install: W10 iOT LTSC +old PC = PROFiT