Your Windows 10 laptop or desktop might not meet the requirements for upgrading to Windows 11, but you can still do it, and it likely won't cost anything.

Whether you're trying to eke out a few more years on an aging PC or have been dragging your feet on a Windows 11 upgrade, there are a few ways to switch without paying for it.

As support for Windows 10 comes to an end, you can now upgrade to Windows 11 version 25H2 through Windows Update or using the Installation Assistant.

The day many have been dreading has arrived: Microsoft has officially stopped supporting Windows 10, its ten-year-old operating system (OS), which was replaced by Windows 11 in 2021. This means that if your PC still runs Windows 10, it will no longer receive free feature updates, security patches, or bug fixes.

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 tomorrow. Here's everything you need to know if you can or can’t upgrade to Windows 11.

Microsoft will cease providing essential and free security updates to the OS from today. This immediately leaves all unsupported Windows 10 machines vulnerable to new exploits, as hackers are known to actively target operating systems immediately after their official support expiration.

Microsoft is clear: “After Oct. 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11,” it says online.

Microsoft is dropping a major update for Windows 11 to transform it into an agentic OS with Copilot Vision, Voice, and Actions.

When Windows decides that it isn't interested in completing an upgrade, it can be maddeningly unhelpful, spitting out error codes and cryptic messages that can leave even experts scratching their heads.