So, you’ve decided to hold out on upgrading to Windows 11.
Honestly… I get it.
Your computer still works. It doesn’t crash, it doesn’t feel slow, and the idea of tossing it just because Microsoft said so feels ridiculous. There’s something unsettling about a trillion-dollar company telling you your perfectly good computer is suddenly “too old.”
You’re not crazy. You’re cautious. Neither is a bad thing.
But here’s what we need to talk about: holding out isn’t the end of the world, but it isn’t without risk either. And it’s not just the typical “security, security, security” chant you’ve been hearing. It’s about the slow unraveling that happens when the rest of the world moves on and your operating system doesn’t.
Let’s unpack that.
Why I Understand the Frustration
Microsoft decided that millions of computers made after 2016 “aren’t compatible” with Windows 11. They blamed it on hardware security requirements, TPM chips, and processor generations that allegedly can’t keep up with modern protection standards.
Let’s be honest. Most of those machines could run Windows 11 just fine if Microsoft wanted them to.
Instead, they drew a line in the sand and called it security. A marketing team somewhere probably called it “progress.”
But for anyone who’s actually looked under the hood, it feels more like a product cycle reset. A way to move new hardware.
And it’s not just bad optics. It’s wasteful.
Perfectly good computers, millions of them, are heading toward landfills. Machines that could easily last another five years are being treated like expired milk.
In a post I wrote a while back, I broke down what that means:
Over 529,000 tons of electronic waste.
That’s the equivalent of throwing away 320,000 cars because they didn’t pass the latest fashion test in Silicon Valley.
And for what? A redesigned taskbar and some rounded corners.
So no, I don’t blame anyone for being annoyed. The environmental side of this makes my stomach turn.
But if you’re going to stay on Windows 10 past October 14, 2025, I want you to understand what that really means. It’s not catastrophic. It’s just… different.
What Actually Happens When Support Ends
When Microsoft ends support, they stop releasing security updates for the operating system.
That doesn’t mean your computer self-destructs on October 15.
It just means that if a new vulnerability is discovered in Windows 10 after that date, Microsoft won’t fix it.
And that sounds scarier than it really is… because the reality is, most of the dangerous stuff doesn’t come through the Windows core anymore. It comes through phishing, browsers, and bad habits.
Still, those updates matter. They patch the foundation that everything else sits on. If you skip them long enough, cracks start to show.
But that doesn’t mean you have to panic or toss your PC. It just means you’ll need to be a little smarter about how you use it.
If You’re Holding Out, Do This
If you’re staying on Windows 10 for a while, here’s what actually makes a difference:
1. Use a secure DNS service.
Change your DNS to something like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Quad9 (9.9.9.9). They block access to known malicious sites before your computer ever talks to them. It’s like having a bouncer at the door who actually checks IDs.
2. Keep browsers and apps updated.
Google, Mozilla, and even Adobe will keep releasing updates for a few more years. That’s where most modern attacks happen anyway.
3. Stop using an admin account for daily work.
Create a regular user account and use that instead. Ninety percent of ransomware attacks fail if you’re not logged in as an administrator. Just be cautious when anything asks for admin persmission.
4. Back up your files regularly.
Not to the same drive, not to a single USB stick. Use a real backup system. If you can, automate it.
5. Be suspicious of email links and attachments.
Most malware and ransomware still arrive the old-fashioned way: through “shipping notices,” fake invoices, and messages pretending to be your bank.
If you didn’t expect it, don’t open it. I wrote a whole piece about that, and it’s still true: curiosity is malware’s favorite human trait.
If you’re a Geek3 client, most of this is already handled automatically.
Our managed security platform watches for the same kinds of threats Microsoft updates were meant to prevent.
That doesn’t make us invincible, but it means you’ve got a net even when Microsoft walks away.
The Security Myth Microsoft Sells
Microsoft’s marketing makes it sound like Windows 10 will become instantly unsafe.
Reality check: Windows 10 with good external protection is still safer than a brand-new Windows 11 laptop with nothing but default settings and a user who clicks every email link they get.
The weakest link has never been the operating system. It’s the human. And no update fixes that.
This is what frustrates me most about Microsoft’s approach. They talk about “security” as if the absence of updates equals danger, but they’re ignoring the bigger picture. Real-world protection comes from layers, not patch notes.
That’s why our platform is built around that idea.
So, yes, Microsoft will stop sending updates. But that doesn’t mean you suddenly lose protection. It just shifts where that protection comes from.
Why Microsoft Might Cave (Again)
Here’s my prediction: around 2027, Microsoft will “change its mind.”
Maybe they’ll roll out a lighter version of Windows 11 that doesn’t need a TPM chip. Maybe they’ll quietly loosen the processor requirements and call it “Windows 11 Core” or “Windows SE.”
It wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Because we’ve seen this movie before.
Remember Windows XP? It was supposed to die in 2014. Microsoft extended support three times because governments, hospitals, and major corporations refused to move.
Then Windows 7. Same story. Extended updates, then “custom support” programs.
The cycle always repeats: Microsoft pushes, people push back, and eventually they find a middle ground when reality sets in.
And if that happens again, it won’t be about compassion. It’ll be about pressure. Once headlines start talking about millions of “obsolete” PCs piling up in landfills, someone in Congress or the EU will start asking questions.
When that happens, watch for a sudden “new upgrade path” that saves the day.
But counting on that isn’t a plan. It’s a possibility.
If you’re holding out, you’re fine for now. But don’t bet the farm on Microsoft changing its heart. They usually wait until the eleventh hour. Then call it innovation. 🙈
The Real Problem: Compatibility Decay
The real threat to your Windows 10 system isn’t malware. It’s obsolescence.
Compatibility dies slowly.
First, it’s a minor issue: your printer software stops updating. Then your accounting app refuses to install the new version. Then your browser starts warning that it’s “no longer supported.”
It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s relentless.
At some point, you’ll try to download something simple, and the installer will just shrug and say, “Sorry, Windows 10 isn’t supported.”
That’s the true end of life.
No big headlines. No fanfare. Just quiet incompatibility that grows over time.
That’s the reason to plan an upgrade. Not because you’re in danger, but because you’ll eventually get frustrated when everyday tools stop working.
Think of it like keeping an old car. You can maintain it, tune it, and even baby it. But parts get harder to find. Mechanics start charging extra because it’s “special.” Eventually, you’ll spend more keeping it running than replacing it.
The same applies here.
Why I’m Not Anti-Upgrade
Just to be clear… I’m not telling anyone to cling to Windows 10 forever.
I’m saying you should upgrade when it makes sense, not because you were scared into it.
There are plenty of great reasons to move to Windows 11: It’s stable now. It supports modern hardware better. And for new devices, it’s the obvious choice.
But if you’ve got a perfectly good computer that still does everything you need, throwing it away in 2025 just because of a calendar date doesn’t make sense.
Plan your upgrades strategically.
When your PC starts showing real age, hardware slowdowns, software that won’t install, fans that sound like jet engines… then yeah, it’s time.
Until then, there’s no shame in holding on.
The Environmental Reality
Here’s where I’ll step on my soapbox for a moment.
Every time we replace working hardware prematurely, we add to a global problem that most people don’t see.
Those “recycled” laptops? Many aren’t recycled. They’re shredded for parts, shipped overseas, or burned. Even the ones that get repurposed still take energy and logistics to move.
And that’s before you account for the manufacturing footprint of all the new devices that replace them.
We’re not talking about a few thousand machines. We’re talking millions.
The result? Toxic waste, wasted materials, and the illusion of progress.
I’m not saying never upgrade. I’m saying do it responsibly. Stretch the life of your equipment when it’s still capable. When you do replace it, donate or recycle properly. Let someone else squeeze value out of it before it becomes junk.
Technology should evolve… not waste itself into extinction.
For Our Managed IT Clients (and Anyone Wondering How We Handle It)
At Geek3, we’re not panicking.
We’ve been preparing for this for a while. The systems we manage already have multiple security layers that fill the gap Microsoft will leave behind.
When the final Windows 10 updates roll out, nothing in your daily routine changes overnight. We’ll keep maintaining your systems, watching for vulnerabilities, and monitoring for signs that the software ecosystem is moving on.
Eventually, we’ll recommend a timeline for replacement… not because of fear, but because of practicality.
If you’re reading this and you’re not a client, that’s exactly what you should be getting from your IT provider. Calm planning, not last-minute chaos.
So, How Long Can You Really Hold Out?
If your system is protected, updated, and used responsibly, three to four more years of Windows 10 is realistic.
After that, it’s not so much about danger as it is about convenience. At some point, the patchwork of “making it work” gets old.
That’s when you’ll know it’s time.
But for now? You’re fine. You just need to be intentional.
Keep your browser modern, keep your habits sharp, and let your IT partner handle the rest.
The Bottom Line
Holding onto Windows 10 doesn’t make you reckless. It makes you human.
Nobody wants to spend money on something they don’t need, especially when what they already have still works perfectly well.
But don’t confuse “still working” with “never needs to change.” Every computer has an expiration date.. it’s just not October 14, 2025.
If you’re one of our managed IT clients, relax. You’re covered. If you’re not, find someone who’s got your back. This is one of those moments where having the right protection plan makes all the difference.
Either way, the goal’s simple:
Stay secure.
Stay functional.
And don’t add to the landfill until you absolutely have to.
