As Microsoft scrambles to manage a looming Windows 11 deadline, millions of Windows 10 users are finally upgrading their PCs — with a surprising 40 million making the move in just the past month.
The Deadline Crisis
Windows 10 users still on the fence about upgrading have been facing a combination of warnings, security concerns, and the possibility of extra costs.
With the October 2025 end-of-support looming, Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for compatible PCs might soon be on the chopping block.
In fact, Microsoft recently hinted that the free upgrade path could expire, fueling the sudden surge in upgrades.
The Upgrade Surge
This trend reversal comes after months of users sticking to their Windows 10 setups. Statcounter data from January shows that 2.5% of the overall Windows install base (about 40 million users) swapped their systems for Windows 11 last month, marking a shift that Microsoft likely hoped for as the deadline nears.
What’s Next for Users and Microsoft?
Despite the surge, there are still 500 million PCs in danger of losing security support if users don’t upgrade in time. Some PCs won’t be able to meet the requirements for Windows 11 without bypassing hardware security checks, leaving a significant gap.
Microsoft has urged users to treat 2025 as the year to refresh their systems, hoping that the Copilot AI-enabled PCs will convince more to make the switch. But this strategy may not be enough to address the massive security risks that will arise when October 2025 hits and support for Windows 10 ends.
Potential Solutions
With the deadline closing in, radical solutions are being considered, including forced upgrades for compatible PCs or a simplified “upgrade light” for those without the necessary hardware. However, these ideas are still speculative, and Microsoft will likely have to take action soon to avoid a significant security nightmare.
The clock is ticking, and the Windows 10 to Windows 11 shift is only going to intensify.