Windows 10 is officially reaching its end of support on October 14, 2025. After that date, no more security updates, bug fixes, or help from Microsoft. Your PC will keep working, but every month you stay on Windows 10, it becomes less secure and more outdated.

Microsoft wants everyone to move to Windows 11. But here’s the twist: not every computer that runs Windows 10 can make the jump. And that’s left a lot of people wondering if this is really about safety, or just another push to buy new hardware.

Before you panic (or rush to the shops), let’s look at what Microsoft is asking for, what one of the most confusing requirements TPM 2.0 actually means, and the simple steps you can take to see if your PC is ready.

One of the strangest requirements for Windows 11 is something called TPM 2.0 - short for Trusted Platform Module. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone.

Think of TPM as a little lockbox inside your computer. It helps keep your passwords, files, and security keys safe, and makes sure your PC hasn’t been tampered with when every time you start it up.

Microsoft’s argument: TPM makes modern PCs safer against hackers.
Community’s argument: It’s another hoop to jump through, and many older PCs are being locked out even though they work perfectly well.

Here’s what Microsoft says you need to run Windows 11:
• Processor: 1 GHz or faster, 64-bit compatible, on the approved CPU list.
• RAM: 4 GB minimum.
• Storage: 64 GB or more.
• UEFI firmware with Secure Boot.
• TPM 2.0.
• Graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 or later.
• Display: 720p or higher.

On paper: These sound easy.
In reality: Many CPUs aren’t “approved,” TPM is missing from older boards, and Windows 11 adds bloatware that slows down even decent machines.

The PC Health Check app is Microsoft’s official way to know if your PC qualifies. One click, and you’ll get either a green tick or a big red X.

• If you get a “no,” it usually tells you why (e.g. missing TPM, unsupported processor).
• To many users, the rejection feels arbitrary. As if Microsoft is drawing the line higher than it needs to.

Sometimes your PC is compatible, but it doesn’t know it yet.
• TPM 2.0 may be switched off by default.
• Secure Boot may need enabling.

For confident users, this is an easy fix in BIOS. For others, it feels like another layer of gatekeeping... something that could’ve been handled automatically by Windows itself.

If your PC still fails, here are your options:

Your PC won’t break, but it will slowly become a liability: no new patches, apps eventually stopping support, and browsers dropping updates.

Plenty of people plan to keep running Windows 10 with strong antivirus and careful habits, but that’s risky for anyone handling work, finances, or personal data.

If Windows 11 isn’t an option:

• Linux distros like Ubuntu or Mint give older PCs a new lease on life, with speed and security.
• ChromeOS Flex is simple for web-only users.

These aren’t perfect, but they avoid the unnecessary bloatware and restrictions many users blame Microsoft for.

The end of Windows 10 support is coming fast. Microsoft frames it as security progress. Many users see it as forced upgrades and bloat. The truth is somewhere in the middle.

The best move? Check your PC today, enable what you can, and decide early. Whether you upgrade, pay for Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, or move to something else, don’t leave it until October 2025.

If you want to dive deeper into the details before really sticking with Windows 10, here's how to do it right when Microsoft pulls the plug.