Windows 10 usage after support ends raises security risks

A recent analysis by IT‑asset firm Lansweeper found that computers still running Windows 10 after Microsoft ended official support in October 2025 carry far more security flaws than those upgraded to Windows 11. On average a Windows 10 device has 1,903 active vulnerabilities – roughly three times the 652 found on Windows 11 – and about two‑thirds of those are rated high or critical, with 2.4 % already being exploited in real‑world attacks.

The share of Windows 10 installations has fallen sharply, from around 50 % in early 2025 to roughly 18‑19 % of all Windows PCs by mid‑2024, according to Lansweeper’s own data. The decline is not driven mainly by hardware incompatibility; only about 2.8 % of the remaining Windows 10 machines cannot meet Windows 11’s system requirements. The larger block stays on the older OS because of certification requirements, compliance constraints, specialized legacy hardware, or budget limits, especially in sectors such as healthcare, retail and manufacturing. Small‑ and medium‑size enterprises show the highest usage rates, with about 21 % of their PCs still on Windows 10.

Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program can keep supported devices safe until October 2027, but the study stresses that migration to a supported operating system is the most reliable long‑term remedy.