Don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11? You don’t have to do this, but here’s what you need to know

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ZDNET Highlights

• Windows 10 is reaching its expiration date on October 14, leaving millions of PCs without technical support or new security updates.
• However, many users will essentially remain on Windows 10.
• Whatever the reasoning, I’ll explain how to keep your Windows 10 PC protected long after support ends.

Windows 10 will officially reach its end of life on October 14, 2025, meaning Microsoft will no longer provide technical support or security updates to the OS. Chances are that by the time you’re reading this, that date will already have passed, and you’ll be wondering what to do next.

Also: How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 – free

Well, you have two options. You can either a) bite the bullet and install Windows 11 on your PC, or b) sign up for Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) to get an extra year of critical security patches. But let’s say you can’t install Windows 11 on your computer. You’ve done all the troubleshooting you can, and it’s not working. Or maybe you don’t want to upgrade and prefer to stick with Windows 10. This is where I come.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the best ways to stay secure on Windows 10 long after support ends. However, to do this you will have to make some important changes.

smart behavior

Before considering specific solutions, I want to take the time to highlight some behavioral changes you can make to stay secure on Windows 10. Some of these tips may seem obvious, but a quick refresher never hurt anyone.

• Don’t install random software – Be mindful of what you download and where it actually comes from. Stick to first-party sources like apps from the Microsoft Store. I know it’s tempting to install a pirated version of Adobe Premiere Pro, but the risk of being exposed to malware is too high.
• Keep your web browser updated – Windows 10 may stop receiving updates, but many of your favorite apps (like your browser) will still get regular security patches. Windows 10 and Windows 11 share the same core code. I recommend using Brave, which ZDNET named the best secure browser for privacy. It comes with “numerous privacy-enhancing settings”, including a powerful ad blocker.
• Strengthen your account security – Having strong, unique passwords helps a lot. Make sure all of your accounts use complex logins and use a password manager to help keep everything organized. Additionally, enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) wherever available to add an extra layer of security.
• Back up your PC regularly: windows 10 Comes with its own backup tool, called Backup and Restore, which you can find in Control Panel. You will need an external drive with plenty of space. If you don’t have a drive, cloud storage is a great option. ZDNET recommends iDrive for its affordability and flexibility.

First Line of Defense: A Smart Router

The first thing you can do is upgrade your old router. More robust models offer advanced security features that help protect not only your PC but your entire home network from threats. Admittedly, buying a new router is one of the expensive options. Microsoft’s ESUs are only $30 for a year; However, the level of security and utility they provide should not be overlooked.

Also: I compared traditional Wi-Fi routers to mesh setups – here’s which one I recommend

For specific devices, I recommend purchasing a Wi-Fi 6 router that supports WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) encryption standard. It offers stronger data encryption and better protection against certain cyber attacks that previous generations were vulnerable to. You could opt for a Wi-Fi 7 router, but Windows 10 doesn’t support Wi-Fi 7, so you’ll be paying for a technology you can’t use to its full effect.

ZDNET’s Charlie Osborn recommends the ASUS RT-AX1800, an affordable Wi-Fi 6 router that comes with AIProtection ClassicIt is a suite of security software that includes support for WPA3, the ability to block infected devices, and a firewall.

Second Line of Defense: Antivirus Software

The biggest issue with the end of Windows 10 lies in unpatched vulnerabilities. Microsoft used to fix these holes, but once they stop coming, it’s essentially open season. The simplest and most obvious way to protect yourself is to use a reliable antivirus program. Although these apps cannot fix the above vulnerabilities, they can still stop malware and phishing attempts in their tracks.

Also: I Tested the Best Antivirus Software for Windows: Here’s What I’d Use to Protect My PC

We have a full list of the best antivirus apps for Windows PC. As mentioned earlier, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 share the same core code, so what works on the newer OS will also work on the older one. Personally, I recommend Malwarebytes For its speed, reliability and ease of use.

third party support

Believe it or not, there are third-party companies that develop security patches for Windows 10 and will continue to do so even after end-of-life. One of the more famous developers is called 0patchA European company that releases targeted “micropatches” for Windows 10.

0patch offers a free plan that only offers 0-day fixes. There is a Pro plan that provides support for post-EOS patches for Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows Office 2019, and others. Prices are listed at 25 Euros per year (about $30 USD). The best thing about 0patch is that they will provide updates for an additional five years until October 2030.

Also: How to clear your Windows 11 PC cache (and what happens if you don’t)

There is a catch to all this. Because Windows 10 is a large, closed-source OS, it is very difficult even for professionals to find and fix every single vulnerability. That’s why 0Patch only focuses on fixing critical bugs – hence the name “micropatches”. These are small. That said, developers like 0Patch will be your best option for protecting your computer after Microsoft’s ESU ends in October 2026.