"Windows 10 Still Prevalent on Many Personal Computers": Numerous personal computers continue to operate using the Windows 10 software.
In a recent warning, Alexander Opel, an IT security expert at ESET, has highlighted the significant risks associated with using outdated Windows versions after Microsoft ends support on October 14, 2025. This warning comes as millions of private users and IT managers in companies and authorities have already taken steps to protect their computers, but many more must act before it's too late.
Opel believes that extended support merely postpones the upgrade to the near future. He emphasizes that continuing to use outdated Windows versions poses substantial security, compliance, and operational risks. Without ongoing security patches, systems become easy targets for hackers exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities, leading to data breaches, ransomware infections, and system compromises.
In addition to increased cyber vulnerability, there are also legal and regulatory compliance issues. Running unsupported systems may lead to compliance violations, fines, and reputational damage, particularly under EU and local data protection laws like the GDPR.
Software incompatibility and operational disruptions are another concern. As application developers stop updating or supporting software for outdated Windows versions, functionality issues and productivity undermining can occur. Furthermore, security breaches or system malfunctions due to outdated software often require costly remediation and downtime.
Limited technical support and lack of new features are additional challenges. Microsoft and third-party vendors will no longer offer helpdesk support or improvements, forcing users to rely on unofficial or costly alternatives.
In Germany, organisations and users are advised to plan and execute a timely migration to Windows 11 or other supported platforms. This includes ensuring hardware compatibility, enabling security features like TPM and Secure Boot, and conducting thorough testing and backups before upgrades. Extended Security Updates (ESU) may be available for a limited time, but they come with restrictions and are only a temporary solution.
Ranjit Atwal, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, predicts a period of uncertainty in the purchase of new PCs, due to increased economic and geopolitical risks. However, Opel advises businesses to perform an upgrade, as the costs of support are likely to outweigh the benefits for many organisations.
In a positive note, Windows 11 has been installed on 17.9 million PCs in Germany, which is eight percent more than in November 2021. However, an estimated 27.4 million personal computers are still running on the outdated Windows 10, representing approximately 57% of all Windows computers. In addition to these, about one million computers in Germany are running on outdated operating systems such as Windows 7, Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows XP.
Microsoft offers private users and commercial customers an additional year of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for 30 US dollars (around 27 euros). The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) recommends a switch to alternative operating systems like macOS for Apple's Macintosh computers or the free Linux system.
In conclusion, the consequences of continuing to use unsupported Windows versions in Germany after October 14, 2025, include heightened security risks, compliance violations, functional breakdowns, and increased costs. Proactive migration is essential to avoid these dangers.
- Cybersecurity expert Opel admonishes that utilizing outdated Windows versions, post the Microsoft support end date of October 14, 2025, will incur significant cybersecurity, compliance, and operational risks, as systems without security patches become susceptible to hacking, leading to data breaches, ransomware infections, and system compromises.
- In addition to cyber vulnerabilities, the lack of new features and technical support in unsupported Windows versions can lead to software incompatibility, operational disruptions, and costly remediation, while governments and regulatory authorities might enforce compliance violations, fines, and reputational damage under data protection laws like the GDPR.
