[Product Information] Microsoft Windows 10 End of Life
Answer
Microsoft Windows 10 reached end of life on October 14, 2025. Devices running Windows 10 will continue to function, but Microsoft will no longer provide software updates, technical assistance, feature updates, or security updates for Windows 10. For more information about Microsoft's policy, see “Windows 10 support has ended on October 14, 2025” and “Supported versions of Windows client” (linked in Extended Reading below).
Recommended Action: Upgrade to Windows 11
For more comprehensive protection and a better user experience, MSI recommends upgrading to Windows 11. For notebooks with an Intel 12th-generation processor, AMD Ryzen 9 AI/HX processor (or newer), and newer hardware specifications such as Thunderbolt 5 or Wi-Fi 7, Windows 10 does not support the latest functionality, so continuing to use Windows 11 on these devices is recommended.
This article applies to all MSI notebooks
How to Upgrade to Windows 11
Upgrading to Windows 11 is free for devices with a genuine Windows 10 license. To upgrade to Windows 11:
1. Run the PC Health Check tool to confirm the device meets Windows 11 system requirements.
2. Upgrade using Windows Update, the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, or Windows 11 installation media.
For more information, see “Check Windows 11 Compatibility” and “Upgrade Information”, linked in Extended Reading below.
If the Notebook Does Not Meet Windows 11 Requirements
Devices that do not meet Windows 11 requirements may have limited access to newer features and security enhancements. To maintain a modern user experience and comprehensive security protection, MSI recommends using hardware that supports Windows 11, or enrolling in the Microsoft Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) service to continue receiving critical security updates. For more information, see “MSI | Windows 11” and “Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU)”, linked in Extended Reading below.
Microsoft Windows 10 has reached the end of life on October 14, 2025. Devices running on Windows 10 will continue to function; however, Microsoft will no longer provide software updates, technical assistance, feature updates, or security updates for Windows 10.
For more information about Microsoft policy, please refer to:
1. Windows 10 support has ended on October 14, 2025
2. Supported versions of Windows client
What can I do if my laptop is still running on Windows 10?
For more comprehensive protection and a better user experience, it is recommended to upgrade to Windows 11.
For laptops equipped with Intel 12th-gen processors, AMD Ryzen 9 AI/HX processors(or newer), and featuring new hardware specifications (e.g., Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7), Windows 10 does not support the latest functionalities. Therefore, it is recommended to continue using Windows 11 on these devices.
How to upgrade to Windows 11?
Upgrading to Windows 11 is free for devices with a genuine Windows 10 license. To upgrade to Windows 11:
1. Run the PC Health Check tool to check if the device fulfills Windows 11 requirements.
2. Utilize Windows Update, Windows 11 Installation Assistance, or Windows 11 Installation Media to upgrade.
For more information, please refer to:
1. [How To] Check Windows 11 Compatibility
2. [Windows 11] Upgrade Information.
What if my laptop doesn’t meet the Windows 11 requirements?
Devices that do not meet Windows 11 requirements may have limited access to newer features and security enhancements. To maintain a modern user experience and comprehensive security protection, it is recommended to use supported hardware or enroll in the Microsoft Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) service to continue receiving critical security updates.
Extended Reading
- Microsoft Support – Windows 10 Support Has Ended on October 14, 2025
- Microsoft Learn – Supported Versions of Windows Client
- [How To] Check Windows 11 Compatibility
- [Windows 11] Upgrade Information
- Microsoft – Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU)
Common Questions (Q&A)
What actually happens to a notebook still running Windows 10 after October 14, 2025?
The notebook continues to function normally, and Windows 10 itself keeps running. However, Microsoft no longer provides software updates, technical assistance, feature updates, or security updates for Windows 10 after this date.
Why doesn't Windows 10 support the latest functionality on newer hardware, such as Intel 12th-generation or AMD Ryzen 9 AI/HX processors?
Newer hardware specifications, such as Thunderbolt 5 and Wi-Fi 7, along with newer processor platforms, are designed with feature support that Windows 10 was not built to fully utilize. Windows 11 is developed to support these newer hardware capabilities, which is why MSI recommends continuing to use Windows 11 on notebooks with this newer hardware.
Who needs to take action because of the Windows 10 end of life?
Anyone still running Windows 10 on their MSI notebook after October 14, 2025 should plan to either upgrade to Windows 11, if the notebook meets the requirements, or enroll in the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) service if it does not.