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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Alyse Stanley

Time has run out for millions of Windows 10 users, but here's the trick for a free one-year extension

Windows 10 .

In case you somehow haven't heard, Microsoft is putting Windows 10 out to pasture starting today. Support for Windows 10 is ending on October 14, meaning Microsoft will stop issuing security patches and feature updates for it — and that's seriously bad news if you're still using an older desktop or laptop.

While the best laptops and PCs compatible with Windows 11 can upgrade for free, older devices may not have the specifications needed to make the switch. You'll still be able to use your Windows 10 PC after October 14, but it won't automatically get important security updates, and that leaves your device more vulnerable to hackers and scams. Canalys Research estimates up to 240 million Windows 10 users could be targeted by half a dozen actively exploited vulnerabilities after Microsoft pulls the plug.

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