Windows 10 → Windows 11: what to do with your computer
Windows 10 no longer gets regular updates, and extended security updates for home PCs end on 12 October 2027. The good news: many computers that “fail” the check can actually move to Windows 11 — or get a longer life with a new drive.
Key dates
- 14 October 2025 — Windows 10 support ended.
- Until 12 October 2027 — Extended Security Updates (ESU) for home PCs: free with settings sync, for 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or a one-time payment.
- After that a Windows 10 PC gets no security fixes — risky for banking, email and messengers.
How to check your computer
The PC Health Check app
Microsoft’s official app shows whether the PC is ready for Windows 11 and what blocks it.
TPM 2.0
Win + R → tpm.msc. TPM is often simply switched off in the BIOS and takes a minute to enable.
Secure Boot
Win + R → msinfo32 → “Secure Boot State”. Also often enabled in the BIOS.
Processor
If the CPU is too old for Windows 11, only a new computer — or Windows 10 with ESU until 2027 — helps.
Four options
The PC is ready
A free upgrade to Windows 11 with a file backup — or a clean install if the system is cluttered
from 50 GELTPM or Secure Boot is off
I enable the right BIOS settings and move you to Windows 11
from 50 GELA slow old drive
SSD + a clean Windows 11 — an old laptop works like new
from 100 GELThe CPU is too old
I will tell you honestly a new one is better value, help choose it and move everything
What not to do
- Do not install “custom builds” with the check removed — here is why.
- There are ways to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, but Microsoft does not guarantee updates there — I do not recommend it for a work PC.
- Do not upgrade without a backup.