Millions in UK at risk of cyber-attacks as Windows 10 ends updates, Which? finds | Cybercrime
About 5 million British computer users risk becoming vulnerable to cyber-attacks and scams after Microsoft next week stops updating its decade-old Windows 10 system, consumer campaigners have warned. One in four of an estimated 21 million UK people using a device that runs the Windows 10 software intend to continue using it after updates cease…
About 5 million British computer users risk becoming vulnerable to cyber-attacks and scams after Microsoft next week stops updating its decade-old Windows 10 system, consumer campaigners have warned.
One in four of an estimated 21 million UK people using a device that runs the Windows 10 software intend to continue using it after updates cease and so will be at risk of online security breaches including malware and viruses, according to a survey by Which? More than a third of those who are not planning to take action and therefore risk becoming vulnerable are people aged over 55.
The move is also predicted to add to the e-waste mountain with millions of PCs worldwide predicted to become obsolete if they cannot be updated and many customers taking the opportunity to buy new hardware. Microsoft is encouraging consumers to use recycling initiatives.
The issue affects hundreds of millions of consumers and businesses using Windows 10 globally. Industry estimates suggest as many as 13% of computers currently running the software will need to be replaced.
For the other devices, the solution is relatively simple and involves upgrading to Windows 11 if a PC supports it. Alternatively Microsoft is offering a one-year extension to Windows 10 to give users time to assess alternatives.
But the survey by Which? found that while 39% of current users would update their Windows package, 26% said they intended to continue using version 10 after updates ceased.
“Millions of people may be unprepared for the phasing out of Windows 10 next week,” said Lisa Barber, the editor of Which? Tech magazine. “If you have a home laptop or PC running Windows, now is the time to check which version you’re using and if it’s Windows 10 or older, make a plan of action. If you don’t act, you could become more vulnerable to hackers and scams.”
In a blog, Yusuf Mehdi, a Microsoft executive vice-president, said that after security and feature updates and technical support for Windows 10 PCs stopped, devices would be “more vulnerable to cyber-threats, such as malware and viruses.”
“Applications running on Windows 10 may no longer be supported, as the platform is no longer receiving feature updates,” he said. “As a result, some apps may experience decreased functionality.”
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1. What is happening to Windows 10?
After 14 October 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide software updates, security fixes or technical assistance to Windows 10 PCs. This means PCs running the software will still work but it will become more vulnerable to viruses and malware, and could slow down and lose some functionality. Microsoft says the more up-to-date system, Windows 11, “meets the current demands for heightened security by default”.
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2. What’s the risk?
If Windows users do nothing, they could become particularly vulnerable to hackers who are attracted to wide-scale systemic weaknesses. “They are going to target people, they are going to exploit weaknesses and they are going to want to steal your data,” said Barber.
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3. How do I reduce the threat?
The most straightforward move is to update to Windows 11 for free. If your PC is less than four years old, it is likely to work. To find out, check your computer specification. 4GB of Ram and 64GB of storage are minimum requirements, according to Which?, which has an online tool to check compatibility. You need to find the name of your computer’s processor, but the tool offers help finding that. Another solution is to convert your computer to a different operating system, such as Linux or Google’s Chrome OS.
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4. What if my computer lacks the necessary hardware to achieve the upgrade?
Doing nothing could leave you vulnerable to malware and other security breaches. One option is to sign up for Microsoft’s one-year extended security update, which will ensure protection until 13 October 2026. Another alternative is to buy a new computer that supports the latest software updates, possibly using retailers’ trade-in schemes to lower the cost.