Microsoft is between a rock and a hard place. The company has already officially discontinued the regular support period for the hugely popular Windows 10 operating system.
But when the transition to Windows 11 seemed to falter in 2025, the company promised even regular users a workaround: Windows 10's support period could be extended until October 2026 if one committed to Microsoft's terms for additional support.
Now that October 2026 deadline is already looming in the near future and Windows 10's share of all Windows users is still at 26 percent.
From the users' perspective, the transition to Windows 11 is complicated by the fact that Windows 11 is the first Windows in decades to significantly tighten the operating system's hardware requirements. A large portion of Windows 10 computers therefore cannot be updated to Windows 11 without workarounds, even if the user wanted to update the operating system.
At the same time, the prices of computer components have started to rise dramatically, which is mainly due to the tremendous growth of artificial intelligence. This means people also cannot afford to buy new computers.
Now the company has humbled itself and decided to extend the duration of Windows 10's free, extended support period until October 12, 2027.
The company naturally hopes that the additional year will be enough to push the remaining reluctant Windows 10 users towards Windows 11.
Now that October 2026 deadline is already looming in the near future and Windows 10's share of all Windows users is still at 26 percent.
From the users' perspective, the transition to Windows 11 is complicated by the fact that Windows 11 is the first Windows in decades to significantly tighten the operating system's hardware requirements. A large portion of Windows 10 computers therefore cannot be updated to Windows 11 without workarounds, even if the user wanted to update the operating system.
At the same time, the prices of computer components have started to rise dramatically, which is mainly due to the tremendous growth of artificial intelligence. This means people also cannot afford to buy new computers.
Now the company has humbled itself and decided to extend the duration of Windows 10's free, extended support period until October 12, 2027.
The company naturally hopes that the additional year will be enough to push the remaining reluctant Windows 10 users towards Windows 11.
