Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Microsoft has announced that it will cease support for Windows 10 starting October 14, 2025, urging users to transition to Windows 11 to maintain software updates, technical assistance, and security patches.
Windows 10, which debuted on July 29, 2015, as the successor to Windows 8.1, has been a staple operating system for millions of users worldwide. However, as the October 2025 deadline looms, the company will discontinue all free updates and services for the platform.
Preparing for the Shift
In a blogspot statement coinciding with CES 2025, Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Consumer, highlighted the importance of upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
“We believe one of the most significant technology refreshes in 2025 won’t involve refrigerators, televisions, or smartphones. It will be their Windows 10 PCs as they move forward to Windows 11,” Mehdi stated, according to The Verge.
He believes that the new AI features available in Windows 11, combined with its higher hardware specifications, significantly enhance device security. “Windows 11 arrived when the world needed it most, and it will be the forefront of AI innovation,” he added.
AI-Powered Features
Microsoft has previously stated that the future of computing lies in artificial intelligence, predicting that all PCs will eventually integrate AI technology, effectively becoming AI-powered devices. The company anticipates 2025 to be a pivotal year for expanding AI capabilities within Windows 11.
Therefore, Microsoft has positioned Windows 11 as the platform of choice for next-generation AI-driven computing with its AI features. Key features include:
- Copilot AI: An AI-powered virtual assistant integrated directly into the operating system.
- Recall AI: A search tool capable of remembering users’ past activities.
- Enhanced AI Search: A more accurate and in-depth search functionality powered by artificial intelligence.
“With Windows 11, our most secure operating system yet, we are introducing a new category of PCs—Copilot+ PCs,” Mehdi said.
Adoption Challenges
Despite Windows 11’s advancements, its adoption has lagged behind Windows 10. Many users have taken advantage of Microsoft’s Extended Security Update program, which provides additional security updates for Windows 10 users at a cost of $30 per year after official support ends.
The final version of Windows 10, 22H2, was released on October 18, 2022. Microsoft stopped selling Windows 10 licenses for both Home and Pro editions in February 2023, signaling a gradual phase-out of the operating system.
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With Windows 10 still dominating usage statistics, Microsoft has dedicated 2025 to promoting the adoption of Windows 11. This includes encouraging users to upgrade their systems or purchase new PCs compatible with the latest OS.
As the deadline approaches, Microsoft is doubling down on efforts to showcase Windows 11 as a secure, innovative, and future-ready operating system, emphasizing the need for users to embrace the change.
(Raidi/Agung)
