Microsoft is facing a significant security challenge as approximately 400 million Windows 10 PCs are nearing the end of their support period. Users must take action before October 14 to avoid exposure to unpatched security vulnerabilities.
New data shows that Windows 10 still runs on 41% of all PCs, a decrease from 46% at the end of September. This accounts for nearly 600 million devices, with an estimated 400 million unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to strict hardware requirements. Many older PCs lack the necessary components, preventing an upgrade without technical workarounds.
The advocacy group PIRG highlighted the scale of this issue, noting it is much larger compared to previous Windows versions. When support for Windows 8 ended in 2016, only 3.7% of users remained on the system, and just 2.2% on Windows 8.1 at its end in 2023. In contrast, Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 just four years after releasing Windows 11.
PIRG warned that discontinuing updates for so many devices poses a severe risk. Without security patches, systems become vulnerable to ransomware attacks and other malicious exploits that hackers could exploit. The group also raised concerns about the resulting electronic waste from obsolete computers, though some secondary markets are offering Linux or Chromebook alternatives for unsupported hardware.
StatCounter data also shows a surprising rise in Windows 7 usage, an operating system retired in 2020, currently running on nearly 140 million PCs.
Users still on Windows 10 are urged to act promptly. Options include enrolling in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which is free but requires a Microsoft and OneDrive account, or upgrading to Windows 11 despite its limited popularity. Failure to do so will leave millions of PCs without critical security updates, increasing the risk of cyberattacks.