End of an Era: Windows 10 End-of-Life
By Thomas Chustz, Information Security Analyst, TraceSecurity
All good things must come to an end, and Microsoft’s Windows 10 is next in line. Released in 2015, it has served tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, of users since then. After a decade on the market, Windows 10 devices will no longer be supported.
Without security updates, bug fixes, and patches from Microsoft, Windows 10 finally reaches its end-of-life (EOL), and with EOL comes new risk. Whenever new vulnerabilities are discovered, this EOL OS will likely be targeted by bad actors, especially if a device running this outdated OS is connected to a network containing sensitive information.
What Does End-of-Life Mean?
EOL stands for end-of-life. When software or an operating system reaches the end-of-life, the developer stops releasing updates or security patches for the product. This typically occurs because the developer has moved on to a newer product and is dedicating full attention to that version.
Without updates and patches, EOL software or devices become ticking time bombs for exploitation by malicious actors, making an EOL OS highly vulnerable to attack.
Security Implications of Keeping Windows 10
If you decide to keep Windows 10, you run the risk of using an end-of-life operating system. Risks are greatly increased if a device running an EOL OS is connected to a production network containing sensitive information. A system at EOL becomes an easy target that could compromise an entire network. Attackers could also use a compromised device for lateral or vertical movement within that network.
Malicious actors will likely target Windows 10 users in the future to exploit unpatched vulnerabilities. With this in mind, it is best to be proactive and upgrade to Windows 11 before bad actors find ways to exploit your Windows 10 host. The longer your device remains on an EOL OS, the more likely it is to be exploited. New vulnerabilities found in Windows 10 will no longer be patched, making it a growing security liability.
However, some users may not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 immediately. In these cases, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which provides continued security updates for Windows 10 PCs until October 2026.
Without further support, it is probably wisest to leave Windows 10 in the rear view mirror. Even with Windows 10 being phased out, you still have a few options moving forward. A temporary fix would be to enroll in Microsoft’s Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. A more effective and forward-thinking approach would be to upgrade to Windows 11. As long as you avoid running an EOL OS, either option is acceptable.
Running EOL software is inherently risky, and it is only a matter of time before bad actors exploit it. Long term, the switch from Windows 10 is inevitable from both a practical and security standpoint. For now, you can manage by pairing Windows 10 with the ESU program if needed, but keep in mind that support through the ESU program will only be available until October 2026.
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