If your PC or laptop still says Windows 10, you are not alone. Plenty of homes and small offices in Neasden, Cricklewood, Wembley and across London are in the same position. Microsoft ended regular support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, so it is worth knowing what that means in practice and what your sensible options are.
What “end of support” actually means
Your computer does not stop working. It carries on running exactly as before. What stops is the regular flow of free security updates, bug fixes and technical help from Microsoft for that version of Windows. New weaknesses are found in software all the time, and a machine that no longer receives fixes becomes a slightly easier target as time passes. That is the real risk, particularly if you shop, bank or keep personal documents on the computer.
Step 1: find out which version you have
Open Settings, choose System, then About. Under Windows specifications you will see whether you are on Windows 10 or Windows 11. If it already says Windows 11, there is nothing to do here.
Step 2: check whether your PC can run Windows 11
Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10. Microsoft lists, among other things, a compatible modern processor, 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage, Secure Boot and a security chip called TPM 2.0. You do not need to check these by hand. Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app will tell you whether your machine meets the requirements. In Settings, the Windows Update page also shows an offer to upgrade if your PC is eligible.
Your options, from cheapest to most expensive
- Upgrade to Windows 11. If your PC is eligible, this is usually the best answer. Back up your files first, make sure the machine is fully updated, and allow a good while for the upgrade to finish.
- Fix a blocker. Sometimes a PC is capable but a setting is switched off, such as TPM or Secure Boot in the BIOS, or the storage is nearly full. Our technicians can often sort this out on a visit.
- Use Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates. This is a paid or conditional scheme that keeps delivering critical security fixes for a limited time. At the time of writing Microsoft’s consumer scheme runs to 12 October 2027, and the enrolment options are listed on Microsoft’s own page. Check that page for the current terms. It is a stop-gap, not a long-term plan.
- Replace the computer. If the PC is many years old, slow and cannot run Windows 11, putting money into it is often poor value. Our guide on whether to repair or replace your laptop sets out a simple way to decide.
Do not follow pop-ups or phone calls that say your Windows 10 PC is “out of date” and offer to fix it. Microsoft does not cold-call people. Our guide to scam pop-ups and fake Microsoft calls explains what to look for.
If you stay on Windows 10 for now
Some people need a little time, and that is understandable. If you do carry on, keep everything else as current as you can. Keep your web browser and other apps updated, use a reputable security program, be careful with email attachments and downloads, and avoid doing your banking on a machine you suspect is slow or infected. Set yourself a date to decide, rather than leaving it indefinitely. If the PC already feels sluggish, our slow laptop checklist is a good place to start.
Before you change anything, back up
Whichever route you take, copy your photos and documents somewhere safe first. An upgrade usually keeps your files, but “usually” is not good enough for something you cannot replace. If a machine will not start properly after an update, our guide on getting your files back from a dead laptop or hard drive explains what to do and what not to do.
Moving to a new computer, without the stress
If a new machine makes more sense, we can do the whole changeover at your home. Our new PC or Mac setup moves your files, email and apps across, sets up your accounts and walks you through anything that looks different. It is a fixed price of £150, or £120 during our Halloween sale until 31 December 2026, and it includes wiping and recycling the old machine.
For anything else, such as checking eligibility, switching on a setting or an upgrade on a machine that can take it, our labour rate is £75/hr, or £60/hr during the sale. Parts are quoted separately before we buy anything. See our services and pricing page, or our PC repair and laptop repair pages, for how a visit works. Our no fix, no fee promise covers our time if we cannot complete the agreed work.
We also visit Kilburn, Golders Green, Cricklewood and the rest of our London coverage area. To arrange a visit, send us a message or call 07766 760516.