Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 back on October 14, 2025. If you are still running it, you have probably seen the on-screen warnings — but you may not have heard the more recent news: Microsoft quietly extended free security updates for Windows 10 a second time, now through October 12, 2027. That changes the urgency, but it doesn’t change the underlying question. Here is what actually happened, whether your computer can even run Windows 11, and how to decide between upgrading in place, upgrading your hardware, or buying a new or refurbished computer.
What Actually Happened When Windows 10 Support Ended
Windows 10’s official end-of-support date was October 14, 2025. After that date, Microsoft stopped releasing free feature updates and standard security patches for most Windows 10 PCs. Left unpatched, an operating system becomes an easier target over time as newly discovered vulnerabilities go unfixed.
The Good News: Free Security Updates Now Extended to October 2027
Here is the part a lot of Peoria customers haven’t heard yet. Microsoft originally offered a one-year Extended Security Updates (ESU) bridge for consumers, free through simple enrollment options, running to October 13, 2026. In mid-2026, Microsoft extended that free consumer coverage a second time, through October 12, 2027. So if your Windows 10 computer is enrolled in ESU, it is not currently exposed and unpatched — you have breathing room.
That extra runway is genuinely useful. It means you don’t have to make a rushed decision this week. It does not mean you should ignore the question indefinitely — ESU is a security-only bridge, not a long-term plan, and it will end.
So Should You Still Upgrade Now?
Our answer to this in the shop is: it depends on your hardware, not the calendar. A few things are worth weighing even with the extension in place:
- ESU only covers security patches — not new features, not performance improvements, and not new driver support for newer accessories or peripherals.
- Software vendors are already shifting focus to Windows 11, so some new applications and updates may work less reliably on Windows 10 going forward.
- If your computer can’t run Windows 11 at all, the ESU extension is really just extra time to plan a hardware upgrade or replacement — not a reason to skip that planning.
- If your computer can run Windows 11 comfortably, there is less reason to wait; the free upgrade path avoids relying on ESU enrollment altogether.
We covered why upgrading to Windows 11 matters from a security standpoint in our Computer Repair Services FAQ. This article goes further into the harder question: what if your PC can’t make the jump?
Can Your Computer Even Run Windows 11?
This is where most Windows 10 holdouts actually get stuck — not because they don’t want to upgrade, but because their PC doesn’t meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements. Windows 11 requires:
- TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) — present but disabled in BIOS on many computers from 2016 onward, missing entirely on older ones.
- UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability.
- A supported 64-bit processor from Microsoft’s approved CPU list (generally 8th-generation Intel Core or newer, or AMD Ryzen 2000-series or newer, with exceptions).
- 4GB of RAM minimum (we recommend 8GB or more for smooth day-to-day use) and 64GB of storage.
A lot of computers fail Microsoft’s automatic compatibility check simply because TPM is turned off in BIOS, not because the hardware is missing — that is an easy fix. Others genuinely lack a compatible processor, which is a harder wall to get around. If you are not sure which situation you are in, bring it in and we will check for a $35 diagnostic fee (waived if you move forward with a service).
Three Paths Forward
1. Your PC is compatible — upgrade in place. If your computer meets the requirements, we can perform a clean Windows 11 install with your files backed up and transferred, so you get a fresh, fully updated system rather than carrying old clutter forward.
2. Your PC is close — upgrade the hardware. Sometimes a motherboard swap or a newer processor is enough to unlock Windows 11 compatibility on a machine you would otherwise replace. We can evaluate whether that math makes sense for your specific computer, especially with component pricing shifting in 2026 (see our breakdown of DDR4 vs. DDR5 pricing if a motherboard change is on the table).
3. Your PC can’t make the jump — replace it. If the processor itself is the blocker, a new motherboard/CPU combo often costs close to a full new or refurbished system. Given that new-PC prices have been climbing due to the ongoing memory shortage (see why computer prices are going up in 2026), a professionally tested refurbished computer is often the most cost-effective way to get a Windows 11 machine without paying current new-build pricing. Browse our current refurbished desktop inventory or see all desktop computers for sale.
What Emerald Computers Can Do
- Windows 11 compatibility check — $35 diagnostic (waived with service)
- Windows wipe and clean install — $110
- Full tune-up (cleanup, updates, startup optimization) — $110
- Hourly labor for hardware upgrades or troubleshooting — $195/hr
- Refurbished and new desktops/laptops already running Windows 11
Not sure which path fits your situation? Bring your computer in and we will tell you honestly — upgrade, update the hardware, or replace it — rather than pushing whichever option is more profitable for us.
Windows 11 Upgrade FAQs
Is it too late to upgrade to Windows 11?
No. Windows 10’s official support ended in October 2025, but Microsoft has extended free consumer security updates through October 12, 2027, giving you time to plan. You can still upgrade eligible computers to Windows 11 for free at any point before then.
How do I know if my computer can run Windows 11?
Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, a supported 64-bit processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Many computers fail the check only because TPM is disabled in BIOS, which is often fixable. Bring your computer in for a $35 compatibility diagnostic to know for sure.
Should I upgrade my computer or buy a new one?
If your current PC meets Windows 11’s requirements, upgrading in place is usually the most cost-effective option. If the processor itself is incompatible, the cost of a motherboard and CPU upgrade often approaches the cost of a new or refurbished system, which may be the better value.
Does Emerald Computers install Windows 11 in Peoria, AZ?
Yes. Emerald Computers performs Windows 11 compatibility checks, clean installs, tune-ups and hardware upgrades at both the Peoria and Sun City locations, along with selling new and refurbished computers that already run Windows 11.
Emerald Computers – Peoria
7642 W Vogel Ave, Building 3, Peoria, AZ 85345
Phone: 623-240-2424
Emerald Computers – Sun City
10001 W Bell Road, Suite 126, Sun City, AZ 85351
Phone: 623-223-7397
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