Microsoft Is Done With Windows 10 but Bitdefender Will Keep You Safe Until October 2026

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on Oct. 14, 2025. The countdown for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 has already ended – Microsoft pulled the plug on both versions years ago. While Microsoft steps away, Bitdefender will keep you safe until 2026.

When a company drops support, millions of users are left running operating systems that no longer receive Microsoft security updates. This leaves the old OSes open to malware, ransomware, and a multitude of online scams. But there’s good news: Bitdefender will continue to protect your devices way beyond Microsoft’s deadlines.

What’s Happening and Why It Matters

What actually happens when Microsoft ends support for an operating system? The OS doesn’t suddenly stop working. Users might not even notice any change at first – at least not until the OS itself displays notifications that it’s no longer supported.

In effect, the company simply stops delivering both security patches, technical assistance and new features.

• Windows 7 support ended on January 14, 2020.
• Windows 8.1 ended on January 10, 2023.
• Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025.

Even though your PC will still turn on and run programs, it will no longer receive fixes for newly discovered vulnerabilities. This alone should persuade users to upgrade to newer and supported versions of Windows.

Hidden Dangers of Unsupported Windows Versions

Unsupported Windows versions are not just “old,” they’re unprotected. Once updates stop:

• Hackers can exploit unpatched vulnerabilities indefinitely.
• Malware authors specifically target legacy versions of the OS, knowing full well that users can’t update.

According to publicly available data, Windows 10 still holds around 40 percent of the desktop market, while older iterations like Windows 7 still have users worldwide (around two percent). The percentage may seem small, but it actually means millions of PCs could become easy targets.

Stay Protected During the Transition

Bitdefender understands that the transition from one OS to a newer version can be a disruptive process. That’s why we will continue to provide antimalware protection for:

• Windows 7 and 8.1 until January 2026
• Windows 10 until October 2026

This ensures your Bitdefender security solution will continue to protect your computer during this transitional period.

However, Bitdefender’s antimalware support does not replace Microsoft’s own security updates. The safest path is to:

1. Upgrade to Windows 11 for full security support and access to new features.
2. Buy a PC with Windows 11 preinstalled, build a new computer or upgrade your existing OS using a Windows 11 license.
3. If you need more time, consider getting Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. However, this only offers paid patching for limited periods.

Bitdefender’s award-winning technology uses behavioral detection, machine learning, and real-time cloud intelligence to watch for malware, even on legacy systems.

Windows End-of-Life FAQ

1. Can I still use Windows 7, 8.1, or 10 after support ends?
Yes, but your system will become increasingly unsafe. Without Microsoft updates, every new vulnerability criminals find from now on will remain open to exploitation indefinitely.

2. Will Bitdefender protect my old Windows PC?
Yes. Bitdefender will continue providing antimalware updates for Windows 7 and 8.1 until January 2026, and for Windows 10 until October 2026.

3. Does Bitdefender replace Microsoft’s security updates?
No. Bitdefender offers protection, but cannot fix operating system vulnerabilities. That’s why upgrading to Windows 11 is the right move for your long-term security.

4. What’s the best way to upgrade?
You can purchase a new computer with Windows 11 preinstalled or buy a standalone Windows 11 license to upgrade your current PC.

5. Why is staying with Bitdefender important?
Because cyberthreats don’t wait for your upgrades. Bitdefender keeps defending your data, passwords, and privacy even when your OS is out of Microsoft’s update cycle and reaches end-of-life.