Today Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 has reached its end of support as of October 14, 2025, today, meaning the operating system will no longer receive patches for security vulnerabilities. While users can continue to operate systems running Windows 10, they will face increased risks of viruses and malware without ongoing software and security updates. As of September 2025, 63.04 percent of gamers are using Windows 11, indicating a significant shift towards the newer operating system, which has surpassed Windows 10’s install base. For those hesitant to upgrade, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates program, which allows users to extend support for an additional year for a fee, with provisions for free enrollment available in the European Economic Area. Additionally, specialized Long-Term Servicing Channel versions of Windows will continue to receive updates beyond this date, with some editions supported until 2029.
The Windows 11 media creation tool has stopped functioning at a critical time, coinciding with the final day of support for Windows 10. Microsoft has announced that the tool’s latest version may unexpectedly shut down without error messages, leaving users with limited options for upgrading their operating systems. To navigate this issue, users are advised to check the Windows Update section in settings for the option to upgrade directly to Windows 11. Alternatively, they can utilize the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or download an ISO file to perform the upgrade.
Why do we care?
So, Windows 10 is officially out of support. No more patches, no more updates—just you, your endpoints, and whatever bad actor decides to poke at them next. Sure, Microsoft’s got that Extended Security Update program, but that’s basically a pay-to-delay plan—and only free if you’re in the EU.
And of course, on the very day this all happens, Microsoft’s own media creation tool decides to quit working. You can’t make this up. So now, your “easy upgrade” path is broken, and you’re telling clients to either use Windows Update or wrangle an ISO manually. I hope this isn’t your day.
Here’s what matters for MSPs: every unsupported machine is a liability. Use this cutoff to your advantage. Audit every endpoint, document your risk, and push those upgrades. But don’t just stop at Windows 11—tie it into something bigger. Refresh your clients’ devices, roll in better security policies, maybe even get them AI-ready with Intune or Copilot.
The ones who treat this as a routine patch day? They’ll miss the real opportunity here.