Recently, ESET, a prominent German cybersecurity firm, issued an urgent warning regarding the 32 million PCs in Germany still operating on Windows 10, just 285 days before the operating system’s end of support. Despite the impending deadline, Windows 10 maintains a robust user base of approximately 62%, with only 16.5 million systems having upgraded to Windows 11. This trend highlights a significant lag in the adoption of the newer OS.
ESET’s report elaborates on the security risks associated with continuing to use an outdated operating system. With the end of support on October 14, 2025, the company strongly advises users to transition to Windows 11 as soon as possible. However, for those unable or unwilling to upgrade their hardware, ESET recommends switching to a Linux distribution, noting that it can provide a more secure alternative that performs well on older hardware without the rising costs associated with Windows 10’s extended support program.
ESET’s statement emphasizes that businesses requiring security updates may face exorbitant fees, as the cost of the enterprise support plan can increase substantially year after year. For individual users, the yearly fee for continued updates is $30, which many find steep. Malicious actors are expected to take advantage of the outdated systems once support ends, raising concerns about potential security breaches.
Transitioning to Linux, however, is not without its challenges. While it offers flexibility and compatibility with a wide array of hardware configurations, not all organizations can seamlessly shift from Windows due to reliance on specific Microsoft applications. Essential platforms, such as Outlook, often do not have direct counterparts on Linux, complicating the transition further.
As users face the decision of whether to upgrade to Windows 11, continue with Windows 10 without updates, or shift to Linux, it’s clear that the clock is ticking. With almost ten months left before the end of support for Windows 10, users have time to explore their options, including potentially upgrading their systems or familiarizing themselves with Linux.
For more information on the potential switch to Linux and the implications of continuing to use Windows 10, refer to ESET’s original report here.
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