Windows 10 is Obsolete, And I Feel Fine!

Is It Safe to Keep Windows 10?

The official line from the nice folks at Microsoft has been “Upgrade now or risk disaster!” But if you’re a level-headed, safety-minded computer user, the reality is far less dire. Yes, Windows 10 is technically obsolete, having been around since July 2015. But in that time, it has received 14 major feature updates, and hundreds of patches to improve stability and security.

Think of it as a 10-year-old car that has been meticulously well cared for. Actually, my Ford Escape is 11 years old. I've changed the oil regularly, taken care of safety recalls, and even had the transmission replaced a few years back. It still looks great, and runs great. So I'm going to keep driving it.

My Dell Optiplex PC is ten years old as well. Over the years, I've added memory, upgraded the hard drive to SSD, and replaced a noisy fan. It does everything I need a computer to do. But it's "too old" to run Windows 11, because it lacks the TPM 2.0 chip and the "Secure Boot" option. I know, there are some sketchy, unofficial workarounds to shoe-horn Windows 11 on to a PC that doesn't meet the strict requirements. But I don't do sketchy and unofficial.

Remember when Microsoft said "Windows 10 is the last version of Windows?" Instead of big releases, there would be regular improvements and updates. And then Windows 11 came along, and it didn't play nice with tens of millions of Windows 10 computers. There was no apology for that broken promise. I could say that I'm bitter, and refuse to move on to Windows 11 or pay $30 for Windows 10 "Extended Support", but the truth is, I just don't have to!

I'm convinced that with practical precautions, regular updates to installed software, and a layered approach to security, you can continue using Windows 10 confidently for at least a few more years. So let’s unpack why “Windows 10 is obsolete” doesn’t necessarily mean “Windows 10 is unsafe.”

Why Windows 10 Is “Obsolete” On Paper

When Microsoft declares an operating system to be at “end of life,” it means it will no longer receive official security updates, new features, or bug fixes. As of 14 October 2025, that is Windows 10’s status. For many users, the label “obsolete” suggests danger: exploitable vulnerabilities, compatibility problems, and fading tech support.

However, the real picture depends on how you use your PC. End of official support means Microsoft won’t release patches, but it doesn’t mean your entire computing environment becomes unusable overnight. The crucial factor is how vulnerable your system is to external threats and how proactive you are in managing it.

If your computer is protected behind a firewall (your router does this) and modern antivirus tools (you have one), the risk level remains modest. End-of-life software is not a ticking time bomb, it just demands smarter user habits. The truth is, cybersecurity has always depended more on user behavior than on the latest OS version. A careless user on Windows 11 is at far greater risk than a vigilant one on Windows 10.

How to Keep a "Retired" Operating System Healthy

Stay updated everywhere else. - As I mentioned earlier, it's important to stay updated "everywhere else." Your installed software, browsers, drivers, and peripherals will still receive updates long after Windows 10 stops getting them. An up-to-date web browser acts as your primary defense against modern exploits. Chrome and Firefox will likely support the system for several more years, maintaining secure browsing.

Use strong antivirus protection. - Microsoft’s built-in Windows Defender will continue to receive updates on Windows 10. If you prefer third-party antivirus programs such as Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, or PC Matic they also will continue to support older platforms. I would argue that anti-malware software is more important than OS-level patches at detecting security threats. (The "whitelist" feature of PC Matic allows only known-good software to run, making it my recommended option.)

Practice good digital hygiene. - Avoid shady downloads, pirated software, and unfamiliar links. Keep files backed up on external drives or cloud storage. Strong unique passwords and multi-factor authentication help lock out intruders before they even reach your system.

With these steps, an “obsolete” Windows 10 PC becomes a well-defended workstation, perfectly fine for the average user.

As I mentioned earlier, millions of computers that run Windows 10 today cannot meet Windows 11’s strict hardware requirements. For those people, upgrading means buying entirely new machines, a costly and environmentally wasteful option. Windows 10 offers familiarity, and changing operating systems comes with learning curve pains and lost productivity. There’s also the reality newer isn’t always better. Windows 11’s interface changes, AI integration, and telemetry settings have raised privacy concerns for many users.

The Extended Support Options

Users who want to stick with Windows 10, but are nervous about support, can opt for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU). In September, Microsoft announced that customers in the European Economic Area will get one year of ESU for free. If you're in the US, however, you'll need to pay $30 to enroll in ESU, or take advantage of two free options. You can redeem 1000 points from Microsoft’s Rewards program, or sign up to use Windows Backup with Microsoft OneDrive.

You can earn Microsoft Rewards points by using the Bing search engine or Edge browser with a Microsoft account. Downloading the Bing mobile app also gets you 500 points. That's a decent option, but there's a problem with the Windows Backup option. OneDrive only comes with 5GB of free storage, not nearly enough to do backups for most people.

Even if you can get the Extended Security Updates for free, it's only good for one year. You kick the can down the road, and then what?

Keep Calm and Carry On

Windows 10’s retirement is not the end of the world; think of it as the start of a more self-reliant computing era. Microsoft’s support cycle simply signifies a cutoff in official attention, not the software’s extinction. If you take care with your computing habits, adopt strong security practices, and use good protection tools, you can comfortably use Windows 10 for several years to come.

So yes, Windows 10 is obsolete. And that’s okay. The operating system still runs well, supports most programs, and feels familiar. Like an old but dependable car (or my 9 year-old PC), it may lack the newest gloss, but it’ll get you where you need to go, or or off the information superhighway. The key is vigilance, not fear. With thoughtful care, Windows 10 remains perfectly usable, and you can, indeed, feel fine.

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