Microsoft officially ends support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. When support ends, Windows 10 computers will still function, but they will no longer receive security updates or technical assistance from Microsoft, which exposes them to risk. Windows 10 was released in 2015 and currently still holds a market share of 48.89%.
Many users may still be using Windows 10 unaware of the risks of running an unsupported operating system. To stay protected, it is highly recommended to:
- Upgrade to a newer version of Windows, such as Windows 11, which ensures ongoing security updates, new features, and Microsoft support. This can be done by purchasing a new PC with Windows 11 preinstalled or upgrading an existing PC with a license.
- Or consider Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 if you need more time before upgrading. ESU is a paid subscription that provides critical and important security updates for Windows 10 devices beyond the end-of-support date, but it does not include new features or general technical support.
While there is some cost and effort involved, the risks of staying on an unsupported system – including higher chances of cyberattacks and missing out on new features – are far greater.
Bitdefender to continue antimalware support for Windows 10 until 2026
Bitdefender understands the security difficulties and challenges users face and aims to exert every effort to help them stay protected during software changes. As such, Bitdefender will continue to provide antimalware support for Windows 10 until October 14, 2026. This means that Bitdefender security solutions can still protect Windows 10 against malware, as long as they receive updates and support for computers running this operating system. Please check the End of Life Policy for news on when Bitdefender will end antimalware support for this version of Windows.
Antimalware support does not substitute Microsoft security updates
Antimalware support refers to the ongoing security updates and support provided by cybersecurity technology companies to protect computers running Windows 10 from malicious software. When Microsoft ends support for a version of Windows, it also ends the development and distribution of security updates for that version. As a result, unsupported versions of Windows, like Windows 10, 8.1 or 7 become vulnerable to security threats. It’s important to note that while Bitdefender antimalware support can help protect against cyber threats, it is not a substitute for the security updates provided by Microsoft. Antimalware software cannot fix operating system vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.
As such, while antimalware support can provide an additional layer of protection, it is still highly recommended that Windows 10 users migrate as early as possible to a newer version of Windows to ensure that they continue to receive security updates and technical assistance from Microsoft, taking full advantage of the latest security technologies.