Microsoft no longer provides security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for Windows 10. If your devices are still running it, you're exposed to growing security risks — and you may not be able to upgrade. Here's what to do next.
What This Means
Windows 10 machines will continue to function, but without ongoing security patches, they become increasingly vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and data breaches. Microsoft will not provide any further assistance.
No patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Every month that passes, your system becomes a bigger target for attackers exploiting known flaws.
Microsoft will not provide any troubleshooting, driver assistance, or technical guidance for Windows 10 issues going forward.
Application vendors are beginning to drop Windows 10 support. Browsers, productivity tools, and business software will increasingly require Windows 11 or later.
Microsoft offers a one-year Extended Security Updates programme for consumers at £24 per device, extending critical patches until October 2026. This is a stop-gap, not a long-term solution.
The Bigger Picture
Millions of perfectly functional PCs can't run Windows 11 due to strict hardware requirements. Without responsible action, these machines end up in landfill — leaching toxic chemicals and wasting recoverable materials.
PCs worldwide estimated to be incompatible with Windows 11, according to Canalys Research
Estimated weight of electronic waste if those machines are scrapped — equivalent to 320,000 cars
Of UK e-waste is properly recycled. The rest is landfilled, exported, or informally processed
Of global e-waste generated in 2022 alone, with only around a fifth formally recycled
Am I Affected?
Windows 11 requires an 8th-generation Intel Core (Coffee Lake) or AMD Ryzen 2000 series (Zen+) processor at minimum, along with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Any PC with an older processor is blocked from upgrading through official channels.
| Manufacturer | Typical Blocked Models | Processor Generation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell | Inspiron 15 3567, Latitude 5580, Latitude E5470, OptiPlex 7050, XPS 13 9360, XPS 15 9560, Vostro 3568 | Intel 6th & 7th Gen (Skylake / Kaby Lake) | Blocked |
| HP | EliteBook 840 G3/G4, EliteDesk 800 G3, ProBook 450 G4, ProDesk 400 G4, Pavilion 15 (2016–2017), Spectre x360 (2017) | Intel 6th & 7th Gen | Blocked |
| Lenovo | ThinkPad T470, T460, X270, X260, ThinkCentre M910, IdeaPad 320, IdeaCentre 510 | Intel 6th & 7th Gen | Blocked |
| Acer | Aspire 5 A515-51, Aspire E15, TravelMate P259, Predator Helios 300 (2017) | Intel 6th & 7th Gen | Blocked |
| ASUS | VivoBook S15 (2017), ZenBook UX330UA, ROG Strix GL553VD | Intel 6th & 7th Gen | Blocked |
| Microsoft | Surface Pro 4, Surface Pro (5th Gen), Surface Laptop (1st Gen), Surface Book, Surface Studio 2 | Intel 6th & 7th Gen | Blocked |
| AMD-based Computers | Any desktop or laptop with Ryzen 1000 series, A-series, FX-series, or Athlon processors | Pre-Zen+ architecture | Blocked |
| Custom / Built PCs | Any system with Intel Core i3/i5/i7 6th or 7th Gen, Pentium, Celeron (pre-2018), or older Xeon processors | Pre-Coffee Lake / Pre-Zen+ | Blocked |
This is not an exhaustive list. If your devices were manufactured before mid-2018 and shipped with Windows 10, there is a strong chance they do not meet Windows 11 requirements. You can check your specific device using Microsoft's PC Health Check app, available from microsoft.com.
What Can You Do?
Depending on your hardware, budget, and needs, you have several paths. Trentlogic can help with every one of them.
Responsible Disposal
Don't let your old devices end up in landfill. Whether it's still usable or completely past it, Trentlogic offers a responsible, local service for homes and businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
Old computers contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. In landfill, these leach into soil and waterways. But they also contain gold, silver, copper, and rare earth metals that can be safely recovered and reused.