微软Windows 10操作系统将于10月14日结束免费支持，这意味着将不再提供安全更新、bug修复或技术支持。尽管电脑不会立即停止工作，但系统将逐渐面临安全风险，因为新的安全漏洞将得不到修复。虽然Microsoft Defender Antivirus会持续更新病毒定义至2028年，但这不足以完全保障设备安全。此外，随着开发者转向Windows 11，旧应用和网站可能在Windows 10上运行不畅。对于无法升级到Windows 11的用户，微软提供了为期一年的扩展安全更新（ESU）计划，至2026年10月13日，可免费通过OneDrive备份或积累Microsoft Rewards积分获得，否则需支付30美元的一次性费用。

🔒 Windows 10的免费支持即将于2024年10月14日停止，届时微软将不再提供包括安全更新在内的任何官方维护。这意味着，尽管操作系统仍可继续使用，但随着时间推移，未修复的安全漏洞将使设备面临日益增长的风险，可能导致数据泄露或被恶意软件攻击。

🛡️ 尽管操作系统本身停止更新，Microsoft Defender Antivirus将继续接收病毒定义更新直到2028年。然而，这仅能提供基础的防护，无法弥补操作系统层面缺乏关键安全补丁所带来的漏洞，用户仍需警惕潜在的安全威胁，尤其是在进行在线交易或处理敏感信息时。

🚀 对于无法升级至Windows 11的用户，微软推出了为期一年的扩展安全更新（ESU）计划，该计划将提供关键安全补丁至2026年10月13日。用户可以通过使用Windows Backup应用将文件备份至OneDrive，或通过累积1000点Microsoft Rewards积分来免费加入该计划。若不满足免费条件，则需支付30美元的一次性费用以获取ESU。

⏳ 随着新技术的不断发展，应用程序和网站的兼容性也是一个潜在问题。开发者将越来越侧重于支持最新的操作系统，Windows 10上的旧软件、应用程序甚至某些网站可能会逐渐出现运行不畅或完全无法使用的情况，这可能影响用户日常的计算体验。

Microsoft’s Windows 10 life support ends tomorrow, Oct. 14. After that, the tech giant will no longer provide free security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for the operating system.

That might sound alarming — especially to the millions of users around the globe who still use Windows 10. But don’t panic. Your computer won’t suddenly stop working, and you don’t have to upgrade to Windows 11 (though Microsoft would certainly prefer that you did).

So, what happens now?

You can still use Windows 10, but once cumulative updates stop, your system will gradually become more vulnerable. Without new patches, hackers can exploit security holes that go unaddressed — putting your data at risk as you browse the web, check email, or do online banking.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Microsoft Defender Antivirus will continue receiving virus definition updates until 2028, offering a basic layer of protection. However, the operating system itself won’t get critical security fixes, meaning antivirus alone won’t be enough to keep your device fully secure.

And over time, there’s another problem: compatibility. As developers increasingly focus on Windows 11, older apps, software, and even websites may stop running smoothly on Windows 10. Hard to believe, but the "modern" OS is already a decade old.

If you’re running an older computer that can’t handle Windows 11, there’s still a way to stay secure without buying a new PC. Microsoft is offering enrollment in its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which provides critical security patches for an additional year, through October 13, 2026.

Originally designed for businesses, the ESU program has now been expanded to regular users. However, it’s meant only as a stopgap. ESU won’t deliver new features or performance fixes, just essential security updates.

You can enroll for free if you use the Windows Backup app to upload your files to OneDrive, or if you’ve earned at least 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. Otherwise, access to ESU costs a one-time fee of $30. Enrollment is open now and will remain available until October 13, 2026.