If you've turned on your Windows 10 PC recently, you've probably seen Microsoft's increasingly persistent full-screen pop-up reminding you that Windows 10 support has now permanently ended.
For millions of UK home users and local business owners, the big electronics retailers will happily tell you: "Your computer is obsolete! You must throw it away and spend £900 on a brand new Windows 11 machine today!"
Hold your horses. Before you open your wallet, let's look at the cold facts and your real, budget-friendly options.
What Actually Happens When Windows 10 Support Ends?
Your computer will not self-destruct. It will not suddenly refuse to turn on. However, two serious risks emerge:
- No More Security Patches: Microsoft has ended free security updates, leaving known system vulnerabilities unpatched against automated malware and banking scams.
- Software Phasing Out: Web browsers (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge), antivirus engines, and banking portals are gradually dropping support for Windows 10.
Microsoft's official support page confirms the cut-off, and its consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme offers eligible Windows 10 version 22H2 devices a security-patch stopgap. Treat ESU as a bridge, not a plan — it buys time, not a future.
Option 1: Can Your Existing Computer Run Windows 11?
Windows 11 eligibility comes down to Microsoft's strict hardware checks: a TPM 2.0 security chip and an 8th-Gen Intel or Ryzen 2000 CPU or newer. Many computers purchased between 2018 and 2022 in Bracknell, Ascot, and Sunninghill are 100% compatible — they simply have the required TPM security toggle turned off in the motherboard BIOS.
I run a comprehensive Windows 11 compatibility health check, enable the required security features, and perform an in-place upgrade that keeps every personal file, bookmark, software licence and setting intact.
Option 2: The £89 SSD Speed Boost Upgrade
If your laptop feels sluggish under Windows 10, upgrading to an SSD speed boost upgrade package from £89 and performing a fresh, bloatware-free operating system installation will make your current computer faster than brand-new budget laptops sold in high-street superstores.
For local sole traders and growing companies, I also provide streamlined small business IT migrations to keep your fleet secure without interrupting day-to-day operations.
The Three Routes, Compared
| Your situation | Best route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| PC meets Windows 11 requirements | In-place Windows 11 upgrade | Keeps everything; no new hardware needed |
| Slow but Windows 11-capable | £89 SSD upgrade + fresh install | Faster than new budget laptops; old drive kept as backup |
| Fails Windows 11 checks or hardware failing | New machine + full data migration | I move files, email and printers during the visit |
Need honest, straight-talking advice on your machine? Call Berkshire IT Services at (01344) 935008 for a free upfront consultation.
Windows 10 End-of-Support FAQs: ESU, Windows 11 & Costs
What happens if I keep using Windows 10 after support ends?
The machine keeps working, but free security updates have ended — every new vulnerability discovered from then on stays unpatched. Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) buy time for one more year, but it is a bridge, not a plan. The goal is to move to Windows 11 (or a fresh install on upgraded hardware) while the machine still serves you.
Can my existing computer run Windows 11?
It comes down to Microsoft's strict hardware checks — TPM 2.0, a supported CPU generation and UEFI Secure Boot. I run the eligibility check with you first and give you an honest verdict: if the machine fails the checks and the hardware is ageing, upgrading it is throwing good money after bad, and I will say so.
Do I really need to buy a new laptop?
Not always. If your PC passes the Windows 11 checks, the upgrade is straightforward. If it is merely slow but otherwise healthy, the £89 SSD speed boost upgrade with a fresh install often outperforms a new budget laptop — and your old drive stays with you as a backup.
How much does a Windows 11 upgrade cost?
Remote upgrades run at £25 per 15 minutes; home visits (including new-machine setup and full data migration) start at £75 outside Ascot (£50 in Ascot) with the hourly rate capped at £75. You get the quote before any work starts, and if the upgrade cannot be done, you pay nothing under the No-Fix, No-Fee guarantee.