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Is Windows 10 Still Safe to Use in 2026? End of Support Explained

Microsoft ended regular support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. A year later, millions of PCs still run it, and the question we hear every day is simple: is Windows 10 still safe to use? The short answer: it is reasonably safe only if your PC is enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU), which Microsoft has now extended to October 12, 2027. Without ESU it gets no security fixes at all and becomes riskier every month. This guide explains where things stand today and the easiest ways to move on.

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Where Windows 10 Stands Now

Regular support: ended October 14, 2025. PCs that are not enrolled in ESU get no more security updates.
Consumer ESU: originally planned to end on October 13, 2026, now extended to October 12, 2027. If you were already enrolled, your coverage continues automatically.
Microsoft Edge and Microsoft 365 apps: Microsoft keeps patching them on Windows 10 until October 2028, but that does not fix Windows itself.
Office 2021: reached its own end of support on October 13, 2026 (more below).

Microsoft explains the details on its Windows 10 ESU page.

What "End of Support" Means for Windows 10

Windows 10 does not stop working. Your PC still boots, your apps still open and your files stay where they are. What stops is the flow of security fixes: any new vulnerability found in Windows 10 stays open on PCs that are not enrolled in ESU, and antivirus cannot repair flaws in Windows itself.

Is Windows 10 Still Safe? It Depends on Your PC

Enrolled in ESU and fully updated: you still receive critical and important security fixes until October 12, 2027. For everyday browsing, email and banking, that keeps you in a reasonable position for now.

Not enrolled, low-risk use: an offline PC, a machine used only for one legacy program, or a media PC that never browses the web can stay on Windows 10.

Not enrolled, daily use: web browsing, email, online banking, shopping or work with customer data on an unpatched system is not recommended. Enroll in ESU or upgrade.

How to Get the Extra Year of Updates (ESU)

Consumer ESU is available for Windows 10 version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Pro Education and Workstations) with the latest updates installed. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and click Enroll now. You need to sign in with a Microsoft account that is an administrator on the PC. You can enroll:

at no extra cost if you back up your PC settings with Windows Backup,
by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or
with a one-time purchase of $30 (or the local equivalent).

One ESU license covers up to 10 PCs on the same Microsoft account, and you can enroll any time until the program ends on October 12, 2027. Businesses use a separate, paid ESU program.

ESU is a bridge, not a destination: it delivers security fixes only, with no new features, and it has a fixed end date. Use the extra year to plan your move to Windows 11.

Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11 (Best for Most PCs)

If your PC meets Windows 11's requirements (a supported CPU, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot), upgrading is the best move: you get security updates for years, a modern interface, better performance on recent hardware and every new feature. Check compatibility with the PC Health Check app from Microsoft, or go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update, which shows whether your PC is eligible.

Good news if you already have a Windows 10 Pro key: a genuine Windows 10 Pro retail key also activates Windows 11 Pro, and a Windows 10 Home key activates Windows 11 Home. The upgrade itself is free; you keep your files and apps.

If your Windows 10 is not activated, or you want to move from Home to Pro at the same time, a Windows 11 Pro retail key covers both, delivered instantly by email. Not sure which edition you need? See our Windows 11 Home vs Pro guide.

Option 2: Your PC Doesn't Support Windows 11

Many PCs from before 2018 lack TPM 2.0 or a supported processor. In that case you have three realistic choices:

Enroll in ESU to stay patched until October 12, 2027, and plan a replacement within that time.
Keep the PC offline or for limited, low-risk use, and do sensitive tasks (banking, email) on a phone or a newer device.
Replace or upgrade the PC. A new or refurbished PC that supports Windows 11 is often cheaper than people expect, and your Windows 11 retail key can move with you to future machines.

Microsoft does not support installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware through workarounds, and such installs may not receive updates reliably, so we do not recommend it for a daily-use PC.

What About Office on Windows 10?

Office 2021 and Office 2024 still install and run on Windows 10. Office 2021 reached end of support on October 13, 2026, so it no longer gets security updates, and Office 2016 and 2019 were already out of support. If you are upgrading anyway, choose Office 2024 Professional Plus, supported until October 2029. Our Office 2021 vs 2024 comparison explains the differences.

Quick Checklist Before You Upgrade

Back up your files to an external drive or OneDrive.
Run PC Health Check to confirm Windows 11 compatibility.
Note your current edition in Settings → System → About (Home or Pro).
Make sure Windows 10 is activated, or have a Windows 11 key ready.
Install all pending Windows 10 updates, then start the upgrade from Windows Update or the official Windows 11 Installation Assistant.

If You Bought Your Key From KRBKeys

Windows 10 Pro keys from KRBKeys can activate Windows 11 Pro after an upgrade. If activation fails, check the error code in our activation guides or email support@krbkeys.com with your order number and a screenshot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Windows 10 stop working?

No. It keeps running indefinitely; it just no longer receives security fixes unless the PC is enrolled in ESU.

Did Microsoft extend Windows 10 security updates?

Yes. In 2026 Microsoft extended the consumer ESU program by one year, to October 12, 2027. PCs that were already enrolled continue automatically, and new PCs can still enroll from Windows Update.

Is my antivirus enough to keep Windows 10 safe?

It helps, but antivirus cannot fix vulnerabilities in Windows itself. Unpatched system flaws can be exploited even with good antivirus, which is why ESU or an upgrade matters.

Can I upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free?

Yes, on compatible PCs with an activated Windows 10. Your existing license carries over to the same edition of Windows 11.

Can I use my Windows 10 key on Windows 11?

Yes. Genuine Windows 10 retail keys activate the matching edition of Windows 11.

Can I still buy a Windows 10 key?

Yes. A Windows 10 Pro key is still useful for PCs that will be upgraded to Windows 11, since it activates Windows 11 Pro. For a new install on supported hardware, a Windows 11 key is the simpler choice.