As Microsoft prepares to end Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, users face critical decisions about their computing future. With just three weeks remaining, millions of PCs that cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware restrictions need alternative solutions. Meanwhile, market data reveals an unexpected trend: Windows 7, despite being unsupported since 2020, has doubled its market share in just two months.
Five Options for Windows 10 Users Before the Deadline
Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESUs) as the primary solution for continued Windows 10 support. Consumer users can purchase one additional year of security updates for USD $30, though this cost can be eliminated entirely through Microsoft Rewards points earned via Bing searches or Windows Backup usage. Educational institutions receive the most favorable pricing at just USD $1 per machine for the first year, escalating to USD $2 and USD $4 for subsequent years. Business customers face significantly higher costs, with three-year ESU subscriptions totaling USD $427 per PC due to annual price doubling.
Extended Security Updates Pricing
| User Type | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer | USD $30 | N/A | N/A | USD $30 |
| Education | USD $1 | USD $2 | USD $4 | USD $7 |
| Business | USD $61 | USD $122 | USD $244 | USD $427 |
Hardware Upgrade Workarounds Provide Technical Solutions
Users with incompatible hardware can bypass Microsoft's restrictions through documented technical methods. PCs designed for Windows 10 (2016 or later) typically require only minor registry modifications and proper Secure Boot configuration with TPM enabled. Older systems originally designed for Windows 7 or 8.1 may need third-party tools like Rufus version 4.9 or later to overcome installation challenges. However, devices with CPUs lacking POPCNT and SSE 4.2 instruction sets cannot be upgraded under any circumstances.
Windows 10 Upgrade Compatibility Requirements
Minimum Requirements for Windows 11:
- TPM 1.2 or higher (TPM 2.0 preferred)
- Secure Boot capability
- UEFI firmware
- CPU with POPCNT and SSE 4.2 instruction sets
- Intel CPUs from 2009 or later (generally compatible)
- AMD CPUs from 2015 or later (generally compatible)
Windows 7 Experiences Surprising Market Share Growth
StatCounter data reveals Windows 7's remarkable resurgence, growing from 2.02% market share in July to 5.2% in September 2024. This represents over 100% growth in just two months, occurring simultaneously with Windows 11's rise to 50.74% global usage as it overtakes Windows 10's 43.09% share. The Windows 7 growth trend appears counterintuitive given Microsoft's support termination in January 2020, though StatCounter acknowledges their data reflects tracking from 1.5 billion websites rather than comprehensive global usage.
Windows Market Share Changes (July-September 2024)
| Operating System | July 2024 | September 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | ~43% | 50.74% | +7.74% |
| Windows 10 | ~50% | 43.09% | -6.91% |
| Windows 7 | 2.02% | 5.2% | +157% |
Alternative Operating Systems and Risk Considerations
Users seeking to avoid Windows entirely can transition to Linux distributions or Google's ChromeOS Flex, though compatibility requirements may present similar challenges to Windows 11 upgrades. Some users may choose to continue running unsupported Windows 10, accepting security risks while potentially using third-party solutions like 0patch, which offers vulnerability protection for EUR €24.95 annually. However, cybersecurity experts strongly discourage operating unsupported systems, particularly for business applications where security breaches could prove catastrophic.
Market Implications and Future Outlook
The convergence of Windows 10's support termination and Windows 7's unexpected growth suggests significant user resistance to Microsoft's upgrade path. While Windows 11 has achieved majority market share, the persistence of legacy systems indicates many users prioritize hardware longevity over security updates. This trend may influence Microsoft's future support policies and hardware requirements as the company balances security modernization with user adoption rates.