The "Deadline" Has Passed. Now What?
If you are reading this on a Windows 10 computer in late 2025 or 2026, you are officially in the danger zone.
On October 14, 2025, Microsoft officially pulled the plug on Windows 10 support.
The big question everyone is asking: "My laptop still works fine. Can I just ignore this and keep using it?"
The short answer is No. The long answer involves hackers, a $30 fee, and a secret third option Microsoft doesn't tell you about.
Quick Comparison: Your Options for 2026
| Feature | Microsoft ESU (Official) | 0patch (Third-Party) | Windows 11 (Upgrade) |
| Cost | ~$30 (for 1 year only) | ~$27 / year | FREE |
| Protection Until | Oct 2026 (1 Year Max) | 2030 (5 Years) | Indefinite (Forever) |
| Difficulty | Easy (Buy & Install) | Easy (Install Agent) | Medium (Requires compatible PC) |
| Best For | Business / Short-term users | keeping old PCs alive | Modern hardware owners |
| The Catch | You have to pay again next year (if available) | Not an official Microsoft product | May slow down very old laptops |
The Risk: Why "It Still Works" is a Trap
Your Windows 10 laptop didn't explode on October 14th. It still boots up, plays videos, and opens Word documents. But under the hood, something critical has changed.
Think of your operating system like a house. Every month, Microsoft used to send a security guard to check for broken windows (security holes) and fix them. As of late 2025, the guard has gone home.
If a new hacker tool or virus is discovered tomorrow:
Windows 11 users will get a patch to block it.
Windows 10 users will be left wide open.
You won't know you've been hacked until your bank account is drained or your files are locked by ransomware.
Solution 1: Pay the "Ransom" (Microsoft ESU)
Best for: People who need 1 more year to buy a new PC.
Microsoft knows you are stuck, so they are offering a lifeline called Extended Security Updates (ESU).
The Cost: $30 (approx. PKR 8,500) for one year.
The Catch: You can only buy this once.
It buys you safety until October 2026. After that? You are on your own again. How to get it: You must manually purchase it from the Microsoft Store.
It is not automatic. - Verdict: Good for a temporary fix, but it’s throwing money at a dying machine.
Solution 2: The "Forever" Fix (0patch)
Best for: Users who want to keep Windows 10 until 2030.
This is the secret weapon IT professionals are using. 0patch (pronounced "Zero Patch") is a third-party security company that has promised to keep updating Windows 10 vulnerabilities for 5 more years (until 2030).
How it works: You install their tiny agent, and it applies "micropatches" to your system whenever a threat is found.
The Cost: Approx. $27/year (Cheaper than buying a new laptop).
Why it's better: Unlike Microsoft's ESU, 0patch plans to support Windows 10 for years, not just 12 months.
Solution 3: The "Techie" Way (Force Windows 11)
Best for: People with decent hardware but "unsupported" CPUs.
If your laptop has 8GB+ RAM and an SSD but Microsoft says "Your PC is not supported" because of a specific chip (TPM 2.0), you can cheat.
Using a free tool called Rufus, you can create a Windows 11 installation USB that removes the hardware restrictions.
Risk: Microsoft could stop sending updates to unsupported PCs in the future, but for now, it works perfectly for millions of users.
Solution 4: Switch to Linux (Mint or Ubuntu)
Best for: Web browsing, watching movies, and basic office work.
If your laptop is old and slow, Windows 11 will kill it. Windows 10 is unsafe. The solution? Linux Mint.
It looks just like Windows 7, runs incredibly fast on old hardware, and is 100% free and secure forever. You can even run it from a USB stick to try it before deleting Windows.
Final Verdict: What Should You Do?
If you have money: Buy a new laptop with Windows 11.
If your laptop is powerful but "unsupported": Use Rufus to force-install Windows 11.
If you want to stay on Windows 10: Install 0patch or pay the $30 Microsoft fee immediately. Do not run "naked" Windows 10 in 2026.
Don't wait until you get hacked. Take action today.
