Windows 10 Updates Have Stopped – What You Should Do Next
If you’re the “tech person” in your family, you know how this goes.
You arrive for a visit, coat barely off, and someone says:
“While you’re here… the computer is being a bit slow. Can you have a look?”
The computer is usually old, well-loved, and absolutely not being replaced because “it still works perfectly fine.”
And often, they’re right. A 6–10-year-old Windows 10 PC can still be perfectly usable — if it’s kept secure.
But here’s the issue:
Windows 10 is no longer being updated.
Microsoft stopped sending free security updates on 14 October 2025.
Your PC still turns on. Your files are still there. But each month, it becomes a softer target for scams, malware, and hacked websites.
You don’t need to panic. But you do need a plan.
Quick Summary (30-Second Version)
- The Risk: Windows 10 no longer gets security updates. Your PC still works, but safety worsens over time.
- The Fix: Windows 11 is a free upgrade. If your computer was bought new from around 2018 onwards, you’ll probably qualify easily.
- The Warning: If your PC is too old, don’t force it. “Hacky” installs on unsupported hardware often break Windows Update and leave you less secure than before.
- The Alternative: You don’t need a brand-new £800 laptop. Good refurbished business laptops from 2020–2021 cost around £250–£300 and run Windows 11 beautifully.
1. Why This Change Matters
On 14 October 2025, Microsoft stopped providing free security updates for Windows 10.
What this means in practice:
- Your PC still boots
- Programs still open
- Documents are still there
But any new vulnerabilities discovered after that date won’t be patched.
It’s like the lock on your front door breaking and the landlord saying:
“We’ve stopped repairing those.”
You can keep living there — but over time, it becomes a bad idea.
You don’t need to throw the computer away. You just need to either upgrade it safely, or plan a sensible replacement.
2. Is Windows 11 Actually Better?
Short answer: yes.
When Windows 11 first arrived, it felt like a slightly awkward cousin of Windows 10. But after several major updates it’s now:
- faster on modern hardware
- cleaner and easier to use
- significantly more secure under the bonnet
(And yes, you can move the Start menu back to the left if you prefer.)
3. Can My PC Run Windows 11? (Quick Check)
A simple rule of thumb:
- Bought new in late 2018 onwards → likely fine
- Old office PC from 2012 → probably not
To know for sure, use Microsoft’s official tool:
- Download PC Health Check
- Install and open it
- Click Check now
You’ll get either:
✅ Green tick — Ready for Windows 11
❌ Red cross — Doesn’t meet requirements
Keep that result in mind for the next steps.
4. How to Upgrade Safely (Easy Mode)
If you got a green tick, upgrade using this method:
- Open Start → Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update
- Click Check for updates
- Look for the Windows 11 banner
- Click Download and install
This process takes 1–2 hours and your PC will restart several times.
Don’t begin it just before a Zoom meeting.
5. My PC Is “Unsupported” — What Now?
If PC Health Check said no, you have three realistic options:
Option A — Stay on Windows 10 (short-term only)
You can keep using it for low-risk tasks, but avoid anything involving money, passwords, or sensitive personal information.
Option B — Replace it with a refurbished Windows 11 PC
This is the sweet spot for most people. A refurbished 2020–2021 business laptop:
- is built to last
- runs Windows 11 smoothly
- costs around £250–£300
Option C — Advanced Upgrade (for the family IT person)
There are clean, documented ways to upgrade many older PCs, even when they initially fail the checks. That’s what the rest of this guide explains.
6. Advanced: Upgrading Older PCs to Windows 11 (Technical Guide)
This section is written for the “designated IT support relative” — the person everyone calls when “the blue thing with the little ‘e’ has disappeared.”
Phase 1: Pre-Flight Checks
Gather these three details before choosing your method.
1. Check BIOS Mode (crucial)
Press Start, type msinfo32, press Enter.
Find BIOS Mode:
UEFI → You can usually use Option 1 (Registry Edit)
Legacy → You’ll need Option 2 (Rufus)
2. Check TPM
Press Start, type tpm.msc, press Enter.
TPM 2.0 → Fully compatible
TPM 1.2 or “Compatible TPM cannot be found” → Requires a bypass
3. Check Free Space
Aim for 30GB or more free on your C: drive.
Phase 2: Choose Your Path
| Path | Best For | Requirements | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1: Registry Edit | Newer PCs blocked by CPU/TPM checks | UEFI BIOS | Keeps apps/files, minimal fuss |
| Option 2: Rufus | Older or awkward machines (Legacy BIOS, no TPM) | 16GB USB stick | Bypasses nearly all checks |
Option 1: The “Soft” Bypass (Registry Edit)
Use this if your PC has UEFI but fails CPU or TPM 2.0 requirements.
Step 1 — Add the Registry Key
- Press Start, type
regedit, press Enter - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup - If MoSetup doesn’t exist: Right-click Setup → New → Key → name it
MoSetup - In the right panel: Right-click → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value
- Name it:
AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU - Double-click it → set Value data to 1
- Restart the PC
Step 2 — Run Setup
- Download the official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft
- Make sure the language matches your current Windows version
- Double-click the ISO to mount it
- Run
Setup.exe - When asked about updates: Select “Change how Setup downloads updates” → “Not right now.”
This avoids the most common installation failure.
Option 2: The “Hard” Bypass (Rufus)
Use this for older machines — Legacy BIOS, no TPM, or if Option 1 fails.
Step 1 — Create the USB
- Download Rufus (version 4.6 or later) from the official website.
- Open Rufus and insert your 16GB+ USB stick.
- Choose your Windows 11 ISO.
- Set the partition scheme:
- GPT for UEFI
- MBR for Legacy BIOS
- Click Start.
- In the Windows User Experience box, tick:
- Remove requirement for Secure Boot
- Remove requirement for TPM 2.0
- Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM (if needed)
- Let Rufus finish creating the drive.
Step 2 — Install Using the Safe Method
Important: For an upgrade that keeps your files and apps, do not boot from the USB. Instead:
- With Windows 10 running, open This PC
- Open the USB drive created by Rufus
- Run
Setup.exe - Choose “Not right now” for updates
- Follow the prompts
Clean Install (optional): If you want a completely fresh start and are happy to wipe everything, you can boot from the USB instead — but remember to back up your data first.
Should You Upgrade… or Call Time on the PC?
Upgrade if:
- It has an SSD
- It has 8GB+ RAM
- It feels reasonably responsive
Replace if:
- ✕ It’s 12+ years old
- ✕ It uses an old-style spinning hard drive (not SSD)
- ✕ It struggles with basic browsing
In those cases, a £250 refurbished business laptop will run rings around the old machine.
Need a Hand?
If this feels a bit much — or you’d simply prefer someone else to look after your files, photos, and the upgrade process — I can help.
For homes and small businesses in Marple, Stockport, Romiley, High Lane, Hazel Grove, Disley and nearby, I offer:
- Honest assessment of whether your PC is worth saving
- Full data backup before any upgrade
- Safe Windows 11 installation using the right method for your hardware
- Post-upgrade cleanup and speed improvements
Clear pricing, plain English, and no pressure to buy a new laptop unless you genuinely need one.