Q&A: Windows 10 end-of-life

Published: August 14, 2025
E-Scrap News
by Antoinette Smith

As of Oct. 14, Microsoft will discontinue free security updates, technical support and feature updates for the 10-year-old Windows 10 operating system, making PCs more vulnerable to security risks. As such, ITAD providers are facing an influx of devices that may differ from previous phaseouts.

Windows 10 launched in late July 2015, and in 2023 Microsoft announced it would phase out support for the operating system (OS). Some devices can upgrade to Windows 11, and if a device meets certain qualifications, users can enroll in the consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which gives them until Oct. 13, 2026, to upgrade.

Last year, Microsoft announced pricing for extended support for schools and businesses, after an NGO successfully petitioned for the company to extend security updates for Windows 10. Learn More….