Microsoft bids farewell to Windows 10, but millions of users won't be

"At one point last year, I wasn't sure if Microsoft was actually going to end support for Windows 10 on time. The software giant randomly reopened Windows 10 beta testing to add new features and improvements to a 10-year-old operating system, giving millions of users hope that the company would change its mind or at least lower the system requirements for Windows 11. Neither of those things is happening, though."

"Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 today, after originally releasing the OS on July 29th, 2015. The cutoff means Microsoft will no longer provide software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. It's a milestone moment for millions of users who can't upgrade, businesses that don't want to, and a company that's increasingly looking at overhauling Windows with AI features."

"I say Microsoft is kind of ending Windows 10 support today because consumers will be able to enable extended security updates for free (with a catch for most) to get another year's worth of security fixes. Only businesses have been able to do this in the past, and it's a clear admission from Microsoft that Windows 10 is simply too popular among consumers to be left without security patches."

Microsoft ends official support for Windows 10 today, stopping software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes for the OS released on July 29, 2015. Consumers can enable one year of free extended security updates with conditions, while businesses have paid for up to three years of extra support. Microsoft briefly reopened Windows 10 beta testing last year to add features and improvements but will not change course or lower Windows 11 requirements. Around 40 percent of Windows users still run Windows 10, and roughly 30 percent of PC gamers remain on the platform.

Read at The Verge