Windows 10 has ended: what to do with your PC
Microsoft stopped the free security updates for Windows 10 in October 2025. The PC still works, but every month without updates makes it a little less safe for banking, shopping and email.
First: can your PC run Windows 11?
Run Microsoft's free PC Health Check app. Windows 11 needs a processor from about 2018 or later, a security chip called TPM 2.0, 4 GB of memory and 64 GB of storage.
- It passes. The upgrade is free. Back up first, then use Windows Update.
- It fails on TPM or Secure Boot only. These are often just switched off. We can turn them on and carry out the upgrade.
- It fails on the processor. The PC cannot officially run Windows 11, and in a laptop the processor cannot be changed.
If it cannot run Windows 11
- Replace it, and have your files, email and programs moved across properly.
- Keep it for offline jobs such as old software or a printer, and do your banking elsewhere.
- Give it a second life with Linux, which is free and still updated. See our free Linux guide.
If it can, but is slow
A PC that passes the test but crawls will crawl on Windows 11 too. An SSD and more memory, fitted before the upgrade, usually make it feel like a new machine for a fraction of the cost.
How we can help
- Check whether your PC is eligible and switch on what is needed
- Carry out the upgrade with a full backup first
- Fit an SSD or memory
- Move everything to a new computer and wipe the old one securely
A bench diagnostic is £54, deducted from the repair if you go ahead, and you get the price before any work starts. Send an enquiry.