The PC is still running; support is not
As of September 24, 2026, Windows 10 can still start up and run applications, but its general support ended on October 14, 2025. For affected consumer editions, Microsoft no longer provides technical assistance, feature updates, or security updates through the ordinary support channel. So the fact that your desktop still works does not mean it has the same level of protection, nor does it mean it will suddenly stop working. (support.microsoft.com)
That distinction matters when you decide what to do: the end of support is not a hardware failure; it is a change in maintenance. A computer that is disconnected from the internet or dedicated to one specific task is in a different situation from a PC used for banking, email, shopping, and shared documents. Still, limiting online use is not a permanent substitute for security fixes. Before choosing an operating system, identify what you use the computer for, which programs you cannot do without, and how long you need to keep it.
First, check Windows 11 with the official tool
If you want to stay with Windows, start with PC Health Check, Microsoft’s tool for checking whether a device meets the requirements for Windows 11. Eligibility is not determined only by whether the computer has enough memory or seems fast enough: the requirements include a compatible 64-bit processor, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, and TPM 2.0, as well as minimum memory, storage, and graphics requirements. (learn.microsoft.com)
An unfavorable result does not always mean that the computer is technically unable to run the system; it means it does not meet the official eligibility criteria. On some PCs, TPM or Secure Boot may be available but disabled in the firmware, and the tool can help identify the reason. However, enabling a BIOS/UEFI setting should not be treated as a guarantee of compatibility: you also need to check the processor and the other requirements. If a firmware or component upgrade seems possible, verify compatibility with the motherboard manufacturer before buying parts.
ESU: a temporary bridge, not full support
The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program allows enrolled Windows 10 devices to receive certain security updates after general support ends. Microsoft says consumer coverage runs through October 12, 2027. Enrollment is required: installing a preparation package on its own does not enroll the computer or enable updates. (support.microsoft.com)
Think of ESU as a limited extension. It does not restore general support, provide new features, or amount to full technical assistance. Enrollment methods and terms may vary by region, so check the options shown in Windows Update and the official information that applies in your country before assuming that a particular method or price applies to you. In the United States, do not confuse ESU with Microsoft 365 security updates: Microsoft publishes a separate schedule for those updates that runs through October 10, 2028, but that date does not extend operating-system support. (support.microsoft.com)
ESU can make sense if a professional application, peripheral, or workflow depends on Windows and you need time to migrate. It can also help you avoid a rushed purchase while you investigate compatibility or make backups. By contrast, if you are not enrolled and the computer connects to the internet, continuing to use it as before leaves an essential part of maintenance uncovered. Set a review or exit date before coverage ends; a temporary extension is more useful when it is part of a plan.
Linux: a viable alternative if it fits your tasks
Installing a Linux distribution can extend the life of a desktop that does not meet Windows 11 requirements, but the right choice depends on your actual applications and hardware. Before installing, check whether your essential programs have Linux versions or alternatives that retain the functions you need. Do not assume that a Windows application, manufacturer utility, or older program will work in the same way through compatibility tools; verify that possibility individually.
It is also worth checking the graphics card, Wi-Fi adapter, audio, printer, and any specialized accessories. If the distribution allows it, testing from a USB drive can help you see whether the main components start up without immediately erasing Windows. Even so, a live session does not prove that every feature, update, or peripheral will keep working over the long term. Make a separate backup, record passwords and licenses, and test your usual tasks before replacing the installed system.
The maintenance schedule is part of the assessment. For example, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS receives standard security maintenance through May 31, 2029; Canonical offers extension options with Ubuntu Pro and a Legacy add-on, subject to their respective terms. That date applies to one particular release and its standard coverage, not to every Linux distribution or all of its packages. Choose a maintained release and check its lifecycle before installing it. (documentation.ubuntu.com)
Upgrade components or replace the computer
An SSD or additional memory can make a slow desktop more responsive, and repairing a power supply or replacing a faulty component may be reasonable. But a performance upgrade does not automatically resolve a lack of official Windows 11 eligibility. Before investing, separate two questions: which part is limiting everyday use, and which requirement prevents you from keeping the operating system you need? The answers may be different.
Compare the total cost of keeping the PC—parts, labor, and time spent adapting—with the cost of replacing it. There is no universal cutoff that makes a repair a good or bad purchase: it depends on the condition of the motherboard, processor, storage, monitor, and the tasks you expect to do. If you need Windows-only applications and the machine is not eligible, replacement may be the simplest long-term route. If the PC meets the requirements and works well, moving to Windows 11 avoids replacing hardware out of habit. Do not buy components on the assumption that an unsupported installation will receive the same backing as an approved configuration.
A practical decision: start with what you cannot afford to lose
If PC Health Check confirms eligibility and your applications work in Windows 11, upgrading is the straightforward way to remain within the Windows ecosystem. If the desktop is not eligible but depends on software available only for Windows, enroll it in ESU if you can and use that coverage as a transition window, not a permanent solution. If your main tasks can be handled with applications available on Linux and the hardware passes your tests, a currently supported distribution may help you avoid replacing the computer right away.
If you do not know whether your programs or peripherals are compatible, do not erase the current system yet: save your data, try Linux from USB, and check every critical task. If none of the options reliably supports the tools you depend on, compare repair with buying a compatible PC and plan the migration. The decision is not simply whether an old PC still turns on: available support, practical compatibility, and total cost all matter. Keeping Windows 10 without ESU may seem most convenient today, but it is not an informed choice if continued use is mistaken for continued security.