![\"WIndows](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1760182688_949_960x0.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The deadline is nearly here \u2014 what happens now?<\/p>\n
NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Hundreds of millions of Microsoft users are understandably confused. If you\u2019re running Windows 10 because you can\u2019t or won\u2019t<\/a> upgrade, what exactly happens on October 14 \u2014 just three days from now? Does the end-of-life \u201csecurity disaster<\/a>\u201d hit immediately?<\/p>\n First some assurance. Yes, you need to opt into Microsoft\u2019s free extended support program<\/a> before October 14 to ensure your security updates are seamless and there\u2019s no period when you\u2019re off support. But you should already have October\u2019s update, and so this probably won\u2019t impact you for a month, albeit losing support is a risk to avoid.<\/p>\n Second, some clarity. Yes, you should act before October 14, but you can opt into that ESU program at any time until it expires on October 14, 2026. Be warned, though, you won\u2019t receive security updates from October 14, 2025, until you do opt in. Once you do, all updates you have missed will be installed on your Windows 10 PC.<\/p>\n ForbesMicrosoft Warns 300 Million Windows Users: Do Not Use This SoftwareBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n There are some suggestions that if you miss the deadline you can\u2019t opt into the program. That\u2019s not the case, but Microsoft<\/a> does warn \u201cdevices will be more vulnerable and susceptible to viruses and malware before enrollment.\u201d<\/p>\n Enrolling in that ESU does not stop you upgrading your PC to Windows 11 if you change your mind. As long as the PC is eligible, of course. But on this, the security and privacy experts at Kaspersky have some interesting new advice.<\/p>\n \u201cMicrosoft\u2019s recent updates to restrict workarounds for local account creation in Windows 11 raise implications for user privacy,\u201d the team told me, \u201ceven if the intent is to improve security through features such as automatic updates.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRequiring a Microsoft account during setup integrates the device into Microsoft\u2019s ecosystem, which can result in the transmission of data, including activity logs, application usage patterns, location information (if activated).\u201d<\/p>\n By contrast, \u201cWindows 10 does not mandate a Microsoft account for installation. Users can create a local account by disconnecting from the internet during setup, which directs the setup to an offline mode and bypasses the account prompt.\u201d<\/p>\n