However there are ways to get windows 11 to work on some older PC's and the price is not much of an obstacle at 5 to 10 dollars.
It is of course for many a major obstacle as windows OS installs are like a black box.
Article snip
Millions of Windows 10 users just woke up to a stark reality: Microsoft’s decision to end support on 14 October 2025 means their PCs will no longer receive security updates. “After October 14, computers running Windows 10 will still function, but Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, software updates, security updates, or fixes,” the company warned on 13 October 2025.
For 400 million devices worldwide, this isn’t just an update—it’s a turning point. Let’s explore who’s affected and why this matters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Individual PC owners make up a significant portion of the 400 million affected, including students, freelancers, and retirees with older devices. Many cannot meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements, leaving them vulnerable to security exploits.
SMBs and enterprises also face significant challenges. Reports show a low migration rate, particularly among companies managing thousands of endpoints. This highlights the extent of the looming security gap.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As of September 2025, half of all enterprise devices were still running Windows 10. Large organizations, including healthcare, finance, and government, struggle with legacy applications and specialized equipment.
ControlUp’s study reveals that only 42% of enterprises with 10,000+ devices have migrated to Windows 11. Was this delay an oversight or a sign of deeper IT infrastructure challenges?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A June 2025 Canalys survey found that 35% of SMBs were unaware of the upcoming Windows 10 end-of-service deadline. Many lack migration plans, leaving critical devices exposed.
With the ESU program optional yet costly, these businesses face tough decisions. How will smaller operations manage security gaps without significant investment?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft has stressed that Windows 10 computers will continue to function after 14 October 2025. The term “abandonment” refers strictly to the end of updates and patches, not device operation.
This distinction is critical. While functionality remains, security obsolescence exposes users to exploits. Could this trigger a rush toward alternatives, such as Linux or macOS?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lansweeper’s survey reveals that 55% of devices are unable to upgrade to Windows 11. CPU, TPM 2.0, and RAM requirements block older PCs from accessing updates.
Georgia Tech researchers estimate 240 million devices will become functionally obsolete for Windows 11. Users are faced with costly hardware upgrades or risky, unsupported systems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
