End of support for Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 | Microsoft Windows (2024)

You can find information on how to recycle your old PC responsibly with our end-of-life management and recycling initiatives.

As of 14 October 2025, PCs running Windows 10 will still function, but Microsoft will no longer provide the following:

• Technical support
• Feature updates
• Security updates or fixes

While your Windows10 PC will continue to function, it will be at greater risk for viruses and malware when Windows10 reaches end of support. We recommend you transition to a version of Windows that is still supported. If your existing device cannot run Windows11, a new PC that can run Windows11 makes for an easy transition and great experience.

Check if your PC meets the minimum requirements by opening Settings > Privacy and Security > Windows Update.

If your PC is able to upgrade from Windows10 to 11, you should see an option in Windows Update to upgrade to Windows11 for free.

If your PC is not able to upgrade to Windows11 or if you want to replace it, you can move to Windows11 by purchasing a new PC. Find a PC that is right for you here.

There are a couple of ways to get Windows11:

Purchase a new PC with Windows11: Windows11 is the most current version of Windows. If you have an older PC, you can upgrade from Windows10 to Windows11 by buying a new PC. Hardware and software have improved a lot since Windows10 was released, and today’s computers are faster, more powerful and more secure.

Help me choose

Install Windows11 on your current PC: Check to see if your current PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows11 by opening Settings > Privacy and Security > Windows Update. If your PC is able to upgrade, you should see an option in Windows Update to upgrade to Windows11 for free.

The upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro to the equivalent edition of Windows 11 is free (for example, Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro). Check to see if this is an option for you by opening Settings > Privacy and Security > Windows Update. If your PC meets the minimum system requirements and is able to upgrade, you should see an option in Windows Update to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

For S mode users, the upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 Home edition in S mode and Windows 10 Pro edition in S mode is free. If your PC meets the minimum system specifications, the Windows 10 Home edition in S mode can upgrade to the Windows 11 Home edition in S mode. If your Windows 10 PC is running the Pro edition in S mode, you will need to switch out of S mode to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro. Windows 11 Pro edition is not available in S mode. Learn more about S mode here.

ESU is a paid programme that will entitle enrolled PCs to receive Critical and Important security updates after support for Windows10 ends. The programme will provide Critical and Important security updates but will not provide other types of updates or technical support. Final pricing and enrolment conditions will be made available closer to the October 2025 date for end of support.

For more information on ESU and lifecycle, see Windows Lifecycle FAQ.

From 14 October 2025, Office 2016 and Office 2019 will also reach end of support. To remain supported we recommend you consider one of the Microsoft 365 subscription options or you can install the non-subscription supported version currently available, Office 2021.

To remain supported, you can move forward by either upgrading your device to Windows11 or by setting up the existing subscription on any new computer you purchase. If you are running Office 2021, you can also migrate that subscription to a new Windows11 device.

Get support

After 10 January 2023, computers running Windows 8.1 will still function, but Microsoft will no longer provide the following:

• Technical support of any issue
• Software updates
• Security updates or fixes

While you could continue to use a PC running Windows 8.1, without continued software and security updates, your PC will be at greater risk for viruses and malware. We recommend upgrading to a version of Windows that is still supported. A new device that can run Windows 11 makes for an easy transition and a great experience.

There are a few options for using a supported version of Windows:

• Recommended: New PC with Windows 11 Windows 11 is the most current version of Windows. If you have an older PC, we recommend you move to Windows 11 by buying a new PC. Hardware and software have improved a lot since Windows 8.1 was released, and today’s computers are faster, more powerful and more secure.
• Installing Windows11 on your current PC Most PCs that run Windows 8.1 are not able to run Windows11, but you can check to see if your computer is eligible by comparing its hardware specifications to the Windows 11 minimum system requirements. If your PC is capable of running Windows11, you can purchase and download a full version of Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro or buy from a retailer. If you do choose this path, note that you will need to reinstall your apps (in some cases a newer version may be required) and take steps to transition files, data and settings since the installation will overwrite the contents of your existing storage drive.

There are two ways you can get to Windows 11:

• Recommended: New PC with Windows 11 Windows 11 is the most current version of Windows. If you have an older PC, we recommend you move to Windows 11 by buying a new PC. Hardware and software have improved a lot since Windows 8.1 was released, and today’s computers are faster, more powerful and more secure.
• Installing Windows 11 on your current PC You can also see if your current PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. If it does, you can purchase and download a full version of Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro or buy from a retailer. If you do choose this path, note that you will need to reinstall your apps (in some cases a newer version may be required) and take steps to transition files, data and settings since the installation will overwrite the contents of your existing storage drive.

PCs originally built with Windows 8.1 are designed with technology that is about 10 years old. Once you move to a new PC, there will be many aspects of Windows that you will find familiar, but also with important software and hardware innovations and capabilities that were not available a decade ago. Some of the innovative new features available with Windows 11 on a new computer:

• Newer PC hardware that is faster, more capable, and more compatible with the latest industry technology.
• To help you keep your computer secure, you can take advantage of the latest security capabilities:
  • Get built-in security at no extra cost. Your Windows computer comes with built-in security features, including firewall and internet protections to help safeguard against viruses, malware and ransomware.
  • Use facial recognition or your fingerprint for more-secure sign-ins into Windows 11 on a PC compatible with Windows Hello². You can also use a localised PIN or your phone as a key.
• Organise your image files with the Photos app and they’ll be ready for easy viewing and sharing—even across devices. You can also search for certain themes and people in your photos. You just need to make sure your images are stored on OneDrive and you’re signed into your Microsoft account.

Need more reasons? See the list of features available with Windows 11.

Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever built, with comprehensive end-to-end security that covers antivirus, firewall, internet protections, and more. This means more security features, dashboard displays and ongoing security updates to help safeguard against future threats—all built-in at no extra cost. To receive updates, internet access is required and service fees may apply.

Read more about Windows Security

Windows 11 Home is the perfect operating system for personal and household use, while Windows 11 Pro offers all the familiar features of Windows 11 Home, plus additional features such as BitLocker, remote desktop and domain join to support professionals.

Compare editions of Windows 11

It’s easy to bring your files and photos to a new PC using OneDrive, a cloud storage service. With internet access and a few clicks, you can back up and protect your files online in the cloud and then, when you’re ready, sync onto a new PC. Syncing the files between your new PC and the cloud allows you to store the file locally for offline use when you don’t have internet access as well as on the OneDrive service in the cloud where you can restore them if something happens. OneDrive can automatically keep the two versions in sync as changes are made.

Learn how to move files with OneDrive

If OneDrive is not the best fit for you, you can use an external hard drive or USB key to copy files.

Microsoft Edge is the faster, safer browser to get things done on the internet in newer versions of Windows. If you're moving to a new Windows PC, you can easily move your Internet Explorer (IE) favourites with you. These instructions will guide you through moving IE favourites onto Microsoft Edge.

Learn more about Microsoft Edge

Yes. Windows 11 on a pen-capable PC or tablet allows you to use a digital pen to naturally write, draw, and sign just as you do on paper. You can mark up documents and even websites. The new pen menu can be customised with shortcuts to your favourite apps. (Digital pen sold separately.)

Lean more about the Windows Pen experience

Your experience may be different depending on the Office version you're running. To learn more, see Windows 8.1 end of support and Office.

You can find information on how to recycle your old PC responsibly with our end-of-life management and recycling initiatives.

Get support

There are a few options for using a supported version of Windows:

• Recommended: New PC with Windows 11 Windows 11 is the most current version of Windows. If you have an older PC, we recommend you move to Windows 11 by buying a new PC. Hardware and software have improved a lot since Windows 7 was released, and today’s computers are faster, more powerful and more secure.
• Installing Windows 11 on your current PC You can also see if your current PC meets the minimum system requirements PCs that are running Windows 7 are unlikely to meet these requirements, but if yours does, you can purchase and download a full version of Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro or buy from a retailer. If you do choose this path, note that you will need to reinstall your apps (in some cases, a newer version may be required) and take steps to transition files, data and settings since the installation will overwrite the contents of your existing storage drive.

PCs originally built with Windows 7 are running technology that is over 10 years old. Once you move to a new PC, there will be many aspects of Windows that you will find familiar, but also with important software and hardware innovations and capabilities that were not available a decade ago. Check out some of the innovative new features available with Windows 11 on a new computer:

• Newer PC hardware that is faster, more capable, and more compatible with the latest industry technology.
• To help you keep your computer secure, you can take advantage of the latest security capabilities:
  • Get built-in security at no extra cost. Your Windows computer comes with built-in security features, including firewall and internet protections to help safeguard against viruses, malware and ransomware.
  • Use facial recognition or your fingerprint for more secure sign-ins into Windows 11 on a PC compatible with Windows Hello². You can also use a localised PIN or your phone as a key.
• Organise your image files with the Photos app and they’ll be ready for easy viewing and sharing—even across devices. You can also search for certain themes and people in your photos. You just need to make sure your images are stored on OneDrive and you’re signed in to your Microsoft Account.

Need more reasons? See the list of features available with Windows 11.

Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever built, with comprehensive end-to-end security that covers antivirus, firewall, internet protections, and more. This means more security features, dashboard displays and ongoing security updates to help safeguard against future threats—all built-in at no extra cost. To receive updates, internet access is required and service fees may apply.

Read more about Windows Security

Windows 11 Home is the perfect operating system for personal and household use, while Windows 11 Pro offers all the familiar features of Windows 11 Home, plus additional features such as BitLocker, remote desktop and domain join to support professionals.

Compare editions of Windows 11

It’s easy to bring your files and photos to a new PC using OneDrive, a cloud storage service. With internet access and a few clicks, you can back up and protect your files online in the cloud and then, when you’re ready, sync onto a new PC. Syncing the files between your new PC and the cloud allows you to store the file locally for offline use when you don’t have internet access as well as on the OneDrive service in the cloud where you can restore them if something happens. OneDrive can automatically keep the two versions in sync as changes are made.

Learn how to move files with OneDrive

If OneDrive is not the best fit for you, you can use an external hard drive or the Windows Backup & Restore feature. Head to aka.ms/MoveToWindows11 to learn how.

If you're moving from a Windows 7 PC to a new Windows 11 PC, you can easily move your Internet Explorer favourites with you. These instructions will guide you through moving IE favourites onto Microsoft Edge, the faster, safer way to get things done on the internet.

Learn more about Microsoft Edge

Yes. Windows 11 on a pen-capable PC or tablet allows you to use a digital pen to naturally write, draw, and sign just as you do on paper. You can mark up documents and even websites. The new pen menu can be customised with shortcuts to your favourite apps. (Digital pen sold separately.)

Lean more about the Windows Pen experience

On devices that support Windows Hello², you can automatically bypass the log-in screen without typing a password. Use your face, fingerprint or companion device to unlock your Windows 11 computer in the fastest,⁴ most secure way.

Find out more about Windows Hello

Your experience may be different depending on the Office version you're running. To learn more, see Windows 7 end of support and Office.

You can find information on how to recycle your old PC responsibly with our end-of-life management and recycling initiatives.