What does the end of free support for Windows 10 mean for its users?
From Tuesday Microsoft will no longer offer free support as standard for Windows 10, an operating system that is used by millions of computer and laptop owners around the world.Figures for September suggest four in 10 of those using Microsoft Windows worldwide were still using Windows 10, despite the introduction of its successor, Windows 11, in 2021.After 14 October 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide standard free software updates, security fixes or technical assistance to Windows 10 PCs.This means computers running the software will still work but it will steadily become more vulnerable to viruses and malware as bugs and security holes are discovered.Microsoft says the more up-to-date system, Windows 11, “meets the current demands for heightened security by default”.
If Windows users do nothing, they could become particularly vulnerable to hackers who are attracted to wide-scale systemic weaknesses.The consumer group Which? warned that about 5 million British computer users plan to continue using devices running the software.Wherever in the world you are, by continuing to use Windows 10 you will put yourself at risk of cyber-attacks, data theft and scams.Criminals “are going to target people, they are going to exploit weaknesses and they are going to want to steal your data,” says Lisa Barber, the editor of Which? Tech magazine.The most straightforward move is to update to Windows 11 for free.
If your PC is less than four years old it will probably be able to run Windows 11.To find out, check your computer specifications.The minimum specifications for Windows 11 are 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, but computers also need a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0), which stores credentials in a secure chip, similar to all modern smartphones.
Microsoft has a free tool to check whether a computer running Windows 10 will support Windows 11 and Which? has an online tool to check compatibility based on the processor in your computer.Doing nothing could leave you vulnerable to malware and other security breaches.One option is to sign up for Microsoft’s one-year extended security update, which will ensure protection until 13 October 2026.That will give you another year to plan for the end of support and make alternative arrangements.Signing up is free if you log into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account to sync your settings, otherwise you will need to pay $30, plus tax, or redeem 1,000 reward points.
Other computer operating systems can provide safe and secure use for PCs that cannot upgrade to Windows 11,One solution is to install Linux, which is a family of free operating systems that come in various flavours or “distributions”,Make sure you back up all your files to an external drive or similar safe storage, as replacing Windows is likely to wipe them or make them hard to access,One of the most popular and user-friendly versions of Linux is Canonical’s Ubuntu, which is free, open source and supported with security updates,You will need a USB flash drive to install it in place of Windows, but Canonical has a step-by-step guide you can follow.
Bear in mind that while plenty of software supports Linux, not all Windows apps will have Linux versions.Alternatively, if most of what you need a computer for can be performed using a browser, Google offers a version of its lightweight ChromeOS that can be installed on a number of PCs for free.Check that your model is supported and then follow Google’s ChromeOS Flex installation guide.You will need a USB flash drive.If your computer cannot install alternative software or you need Windows, then another alternative is simply to buy a new PC with Windows 11 and support.
Many retailers operate trade-in schemes that take back your old computer for recycling and offer a small discount on new models.Alternatively, refurbished Windows 11 machines are widely available from various retailers, such as Currys, marketplaces such as Back Market and manufacturers, such as Dell for lower cost.
MPs warned over ‘shameful’ lack of funding for GB athletes at Deaflympics
It is shameful and discriminatory that deaf people are the only disabled community that does not receive any government funding to help them to compete in elite sport, MPs have been told.Although UK Sport will invest £330m of government and national lottery funding into British Olympic and Paralympic sport over the Los Angeles 2028 cycle, the GB team for the Deaflympics in Tokyo next month are having to raise most of the £450,000 costs themselves.That is despite the Deaflympics having been established in 1924 and been recognised by the International Olympic Committee in 1955, more than three decades before the Paralympics, the culture, media and sport select committee was told.Chris Ratcliffe, the chief executive of UK Deaf Sport, said to MPs: “When it comes to elite sport, we are the only disabled elite sports group that have no access to funding whatsoever. I think that’s shameful, speaking forthrightly
RFL close to selling stake in expanded Super League to private equity
The Rugby Football League is in advanced talks with several private equity firms about selling a stake in Super League.The Guardian has learned that the RFL has had multiple offers from funds interested in buying into the competition after the collapse of a proposed investment in Super League from the National Rugby League in Australia.One of the approaches is understood to be from LionCap Global, a US-based investment firm that incorporated a UK company in May as a precursor to investing in this country. Talks have also taken place with Oakwell Sports Advisory, the London-based firm that brokered CVC Capital Partners’ investments in rugby union’s Six Nations Championship and Premiership Rugby.A spokesperson for Rugby League Commerical, an offshoot of the RFL in charge of its commercial, sponsorship and broadcast rights negotiations, told the Guardian: “One of the workstreams emanating from the strategic review held this year has been to explore recapitalisation of the sport, including the Super League
The Breakdown | South American rugby success stories propel men's World Cup qualifying
While many fans in the UK ponder the early-season fortunes of their clubs, or perhaps debate selection for the imminent autumn internationals, the qualifying battle for the 2027 Rugby World Cup rages on.Chile sealed their second consecutive appearance at the tournament with a sensational playoff win against Samoa last month, leaving a single spot to be won for Australia in two years’ time. On Saturday Paraguay stunned Brazil 39-19 in the first leg of their playoff. The second leg takes place this Saturday in Jacareí, near São Paulo, as Brazil’s men attempt to emulate the women and qualify for the first time.Whether Paraguay complete a surprise aggregate win, or Brazil recover in the wake of the head coach Emiliano Caffera’s recent dismissal, the lineup for next month’s Dubai qualification tournament will then be locked in
Beau Greaves stuns Luke Littler in PDC world youth championship thriller
Beau Greaves won a thrilling last-leg decider to shock Luke Littler 6-5 in the semi-finals of the PDC world youth championship in Wigan.Greaves, a three-time WDF women’s world champion who has secured a PDC Tour card for the 2026-27 season, had gone 2-1 up in the semi-final. Littler responded with the next three legs, the PDC world champion competing the day after defeating rival Luke Humphries 6-1 in the World Grand Prix final in Leicester.Doncaster’s Greaves – who has also won the PDC Women’s World Matchplay twice – produced a recovery of her own to level the match at 4-4 and then again at 5-5 to force a last-leg decider. Greaves took out an 80 checkout as Littler slipped to a rare defeat despite a match average of 107
Luke Littler’s poker face may be the key to his dominance in darts | Sean Ingle
Sunday night in Leicester. A study in contrast. At one point Luke Humphries’s eyes widen as another 22g Red Dragon dart flies past double 16. He shakes his head. Looks down
‘Not difficult’: Wane explains omission of Jake Connor from England Ashes squad
The England head coach, Shaun Wane, has said the decision to leave Super League’s Man of Steel, Jake Connor, out of his squad for the Ashes was “not really difficult”. He added that he does not understand the obsession surrounding the exile of the Leeds Rhinos half-back.Connor is by far the most notable omission from the 24-man squad to take on Australia in the first Ashes series since 2003. It begins on 25 October at Wembley, with Tests at Everton and Headingley to follow on successive Saturdays. There are a number of surprise inclusions, including a returnfor Hull KR’s Joe Burgess after his two-try performance in the Super League Grand Final on Saturday
National grooming gangs inquiry stalls over remit wrangles and lack of chair
Vote for a party’s policies and actions, not its name or history | Letters
Former lord speaker faces suspension for ‘improper influence’ over speeding offence
Academic axed from Labour conference panel for criticising energy policy
Rachel Reeves to confirm changes to ‘outdated’ planning system
Labour MPs call on Rachel Reeves to scrap council tax