For almost a decade, Windows 10 has been the loyal companion in every Gen Z student’s digital life(count me too, it was grade-9 and I still remember how excited I was). It arrived back in 2015, specifically hitting retail shelves on July 29, 2015, often as a generous, free upgrade.
It felt like the ultimate hack for getting a solid operating system without draining your student bank balance. Windows 10 served faithfully, running everything from late-night project submissions to those questionable download files. But, this free ride, however, is about hit a massive toll booth.
Because, after almost a decade, Microsoft has finally declared to end the support for Windows 10. So, if you’re one of the users, here are four most important things you must know.
The official end-of-life (EOL) for Windows 10 Home and Pro was already set for October 14, 2025, and although it sounds like a game over deal! No need to worry about your existing system.
Your PC’s will continue to function properly as before. But, the only catch after this date is that; Microsoft has officially ceased all the technical support, feature updates, and, most critically, monthly quality updates, including essential security patches for Windows 10.
Now, using an unsupported operating system is like leaving your digital tijori(locker) unlocked in a crowded market. Without those crucial security updates, your machine becomes an empty playground for malware, and viruses, which significantly can increase the risk of data loss and system compromise. The current and the latest version, 22H2(Released in October 2022), will mark as the final edition for Windows 10.
Microsoft’s official advice is straightforward: upgrade to Windows 11. But this is where most users with older, reliable laptops hit a technical wall. While Windows 11 only requires a basic 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, the real gatekeeper is the security protocol.
Windows 11 demands that the system be capable of Secure Boot and, crucially, include a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 chip and that my friend, that little dedicated chip acts as a security chowkidar (watchman).
Many budget laptops purchased in the last five to seven years might run perfectly, but if they lack this specific TPM 2.0 module, they simply fail the hardware compatibility test. This means millions of otherwise functional laptops are disqualified, forcing users to face the inevitable choice of replacing hardware.
If replacing your laptop right now is a financial impossibility, there is a temporary,and increasingly expensive,solution: the Extended Security Update (ESU) program. This is strictly a paid subscription offering critical security updates for up to three years post-EOL.
For consumers, ESU enrollment costs $30 USD for the first year, translating to approximately ₹2,700. Here’s the painful twist that makes it feel like paying escalating rent on your own machine: the subscription price doubles every consecutive year. By the third year, the security fee alone is significant enough to make buying a new W11-ready laptop seem like the more sensible, long-term decision.
So, don't procrastinate on this. Check your laptop’s TPM compatibility today itself, because the free ride is officially over.
