In 2015, the then “head developer” at Microsoft announced that Windows 10 (the newly released version of Windows) would be “the last version” which was widely interpreted as saying that there would not be a Windows 11 / 12 etc. This has proven not to be the case. Microsoft have said that they will support Windows 10 with official security “patches” and updates until 14 th October 2025. After that there will be no more security
updates and bug fixes. This means that if any “bugs” (faults) are found with Windows 10 or any security flaws are discovered (which could be used by hackers) they will NOT be fixed by Microsoft.

So, what are the options? I am using an article from Computeractive magazine as the basis for this much shortened list of options so much credit to them for doing the work and publishing it. I am not using the full article (copyright I assume) but am using the main points.

1. Upgrade to Windows 11 now. Fairly simple to do provided you have copies of your own, personal data such as documents, photographs, music etc. These MAY be “lost” in the upgrade process so a backup copy is an absolute must before you start.a. One significant problem that people have encountered when trying to upgrade is that their current computer “Does not meet the requirements of Windows 11” – a message from Microsoft when checking whether you can upgrade. SOME of these restrictions can be “bypassed” but they need someone with a higher level of knowledge than most normal people. The result is a computer with Windows 11 but which MAY have problems running future versions of Windows 11 (or 12 or 13 etc.).
   
2. Upgrade to Windows 11 later – this has the same issues as above but postponed for a period of time.
   
3. Buy a new Windows 11 PC – expensive but very simple IF you have your own data and the licence keys for any software apart from Windows that you installed on your old machine. Windows has a built-in tool for coping and transferring files of data which utilises Microsoft OneDrive (their cloud storage solution) but without a paid for version of something, the available free storage is only 5Gb of data which is not huge.
   
4. Buy a refurbished / used Windows 11 machine. There are not lots of used machines around, many from reputable companies which carry a warranty of 12 months (or sometimes more). These will arrive in a box with Windows installed but once again, you need a copy of YOUR data plus license keys for any software that you want to transfer across from your old machine (as in 3 above).
   
5. Move from Windows to ChromeOS Flex – this is a version of Google’s Chrome operating system (as found on Chromebooks) which will run on
   almost any computer. It gets you out of Windows and can be used with Gmail (for emails) and Google Docs (Google’s version of Microsoft Office). Once again – make sure you have your data. This route will probably requires someone with a higher level of knowledge than ordinary people to make sure it works. You would have to check that ALL the software you use runs on ChromeOS.
   
6. Move from Windows to Linux – Linux is another long-time existing Operating System which comes in different versions. It can be made to look like Windows but like moving to Chrome, it is a big jump that will require that darned knowledgeable person to help. You would have to check that ALL the software you use has a Linux version.
   
7. Keep using Windows 10 but at an annual cost for security updates. Microsoft will continue to do this, but it costs money. Current costs seem to be around £300 for an extra 3 years (which is almost the cost of a new PC). An alternative is being marketed by a Slovenian company called 0patch (that’s a leading zero) with a similar bug / security patch service for (currently) £25 per year. They have been doing this for older versions of Windows since 2016 so they are an established company.
   
8. Late addition: Microsoft will offer Extended Support Updates from October 2024, at a cost of $30 (UK price yet to be announced, but probably £30) for one year only. This will provide you with monthly security updates. Google “Microsoft ESU Windows 10” for more information.

Frank Sturzaker