Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system will reach its end of support on October 14, 2025, prompting cybersecurity firm ESET to issue urgent warnings about potential security risks. After this date, the operating system will no longer receive free security updates, leaving users vulnerable to cyber threats and data breaches.

Current Usage Statistics:
– Globally, 63% of Windows users still operate on Windows 10
– Windows 11 adoption stands at 34% worldwide
– Gaming community shows higher Windows 11 adoption at 54.96%
– In Germany alone, 32 million computers (65%) run Windows 10

Security Implications:
ESET security expert Thorsten Urbanski warns that the situation is more critical than the Windows 7 transition, where 70% of users had already migrated to Windows 10 before support ended. The current slower adoption rate of Windows 11 creates a significant security risk.

Upgrade Challenges:
– TPM (Trusted Platform Module) hardware requirement prevents many older devices from upgrading
– Missing features and performance issues in Windows 11
– Hardware compatibility concerns

Available Solutions:
1. Upgrade to Windows 11 (recommended)
2. Switch to alternative operating systems like Linux
3. Purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU):
– Business: $61 (Year 1), $122 (Year 2), $244 (Year 3)
– Consumer: $30 per device annually

ESET strongly recommends users take action before October 2025 to maintain system security and prevent potential cyber attacks.