Maria Diaz/ZDNET
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**ZDNET’s Key Takeaways**
The long-anticipated end of life for Windows 10 is approaching, with official support concluding on **October 14, 2025**. After this date, Microsoft will completely cease offering technical assistance, security patches, and regular system updates. This change will affect millions of computers worldwide, effectively leaving those devices increasingly vulnerable to emerging security threats and software incompatibilities. Nonetheless, despite these limitations, it is almost inevitable that a large number of users will continue to rely on Windows 10—whether due to hardware constraints, personal preference, or budgetary reasons.
In this article, I will elucidate the key strategies and protective measures you can implement to preserve your Windows 10 computer’s safety, stability, and performance, even long after the official end of support. By carefully adapting your habits, adopting external tools, and understanding the technologies available, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your PC and keep it functioning reliably for years to come.
When Windows 10 officially reaches its end of life on **October 14, 2025**, it signifies that Microsoft will no longer release updates or provide helpdesk support for the operating system. If you are reading this after that date, you may already be facing the uncertainty of how to protect your computer moving forward. Essentially, you are presented with two main paths. The first option is to upgrade to **Windows 11**, provided that your PC meets the necessary system requirements or you have the technical knowledge to bypass them. The second option involves subscribing to Microsoft’s **Extended Security Updates (ESUs)**, which offer an additional year of critical security patches to bridge the transition period.
But what if neither option suits you? Perhaps your system cannot run Windows 11, even after extensive troubleshooting, or you simply prefer the familiar layout, workflow, and compatibility that Windows 10 offers. In that case, don’t worry—you still have reliable ways to maintain security and functionality. The following guide will detail practical adjustments you can make to safeguard your PC well beyond its official support window.
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### Smarter Behavior: Secure Habits for a Safer Computer
Before delving into technical solutions, it is worthwhile to examine the core behaviors that can dramatically improve your system’s safety. Incorporating smarter online habits is one of the most effective, low-cost approaches to protection. Many of these ideas might sound basic, but consistent application makes a profound difference.
**1. Avoid Installing Random or Unverified Software**
Exercise caution regarding both what you download and the sources you trust. Always prioritize **first-party channels**, such as official developer websites or the **Microsoft Store**, as these options are less likely to harbor malicious code. The allure of downloading a pirated version of an expensive application—such as a premium video-editing tool—might seem tempting, but such shortcuts open the door to serious risks, including malware infections, hidden crypto-mining software, or data theft.
**2. Keep Your Web Browser Updated**
While Windows 10 itself will stop receiving official patches, your web browsers—arguably the most targeted software on any computer—will continue to receive frequent updates. Since Windows 10 and Windows 11 share core architectural similarities, browser developers such as **Google Chrome**, **Mozilla Firefox**, and **Brave** will maintain compatible security updates for multiple years. ZDNET previously recognized **Brave** as the **best browser for privacy**, thanks to its integrated ad-blocking engine and extensive privacy-focused configurations.
**3. Strengthen Account Security**
Robust account protection starts with powerful, unique passwords. Use a reputable **password manager** to generate and store complex credentials securely, preventing the reuse of weak passwords across platforms. Moreover, enable **two-factor authentication (2FA)** whenever possible. This critical feature adds an extra verification step—often involving a text message or authentication app—that drastically reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access.
**4. Regularly Back Up Your PC**
Data loss can occur not only from hardware failure but also from ransomware or accidental deletions. Windows 10 includes a built-in backup system, **Backup and Restore**, accessible through the Control Panel. It allows you to create full system images using an external storage device. If acquiring external storage proves difficult, cloud-based services such as **iDrive**—recommended by ZDNET for its affordability and flexible storage options—serve as dependable alternatives for safeguarding your files offsite.
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### First Line of Defense: Upgrading Your Router
Your home router is more than just a conduit for internet access—it is the cornerstone of your network security. Upgrading to a more advanced model can enhance protection across all your connected devices, including your Windows 10 PC. Although purchasing a modern router involves an upfront investment, the long-term benefits unquestionably justify the cost. For comparison, Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates cost around $30 per year, but a secure and efficient router provides continuous protection for all your devices.
Experts frequently recommend routers supporting the **Wi‑Fi 6 standard** combined with **WPA3 encryption**, the latest Wi-Fi Protected Access protocol that significantly strengthens network defenses. WPA3 eliminates many weaknesses that cybercriminals exploited in older WPA2 networks. If you are tempted by the cutting-edge **Wi‑Fi 7** models, remember that Windows 10 lacks support for this specification, meaning you would be paying for unused capabilities.
ZDNET’s **Charlie Osborne** recommends the **ASUS RT‑AX1800**, an affordable Wi‑Fi 6 router that features **AiProtection Classic**, a built-in suite of security tools. This package includes a firewall, device-blocking functionality for infected machines, and comprehensive support for WPA3 encryption—all contributing to a more resilient digital perimeter.
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### Second Line of Defense: Reliable Antivirus Protection
When Microsoft stops issuing patches, unaddressed vulnerabilities will gradually accumulate, creating potential exploit pathways for cyberattacks. Installing a trustworthy **antivirus solution** becomes indispensable. While antivirus software cannot modify Windows system code or seal existing vulnerabilities, it excels at detecting and halting malware, ransomware, and phishing threats before they cause damage.
ZDNET maintains an updated registry of the **best antivirus programs** for Windows PCs, and most of them are compatible with both Windows 10 and Windows 11, given their shared architectural foundation. Among them, **Malwarebytes** is particularly praised for its combination of speed, accuracy, and intuitive interface. Once configured, it provides real-time protection against threats while running discreetly in the background.
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### Third-Party Support and Beyond
Surprisingly, even after Microsoft withdraws official updates, independent organizations continue offering targeted security support for Windows 10. One of the most respected in this field is **0patch**, a European software company that creates lightweight, targeted updates known as **micropatches**. These micropatches are designed to close specific vulnerabilities without requiring large-scale system downloads.
0patch provides both a **free plan**, focused on newly discovered vulnerabilities (often called zero-day exploits), and a **Pro plan**, which extends coverage to official post–end-of-support fixes for Windows 10, older versions of Windows, and even legacy Microsoft Office suites. The annual subscription, priced at roughly **€25 (around $30 USD)**, delivers extended support through **October 2030**, effectively prolonging the system’s security by up to five additional years.
However, it is important to temper expectations. Since Windows 10 remains a proprietary, closed-source operating system, locating and addressing every potential security gap is an enormous challenge, even for skilled professionals. This is why 0patch focuses exclusively on high-impact issues rather than wholesale updates. Despite these limitations, such independent services will become increasingly valuable after Microsoft’s **Extended Security Updates** conclude in 2026.
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### Personal Insights and Final Thoughts
After nearly a decade of analyzing and writing about technology, software ecosystems, and consumer electronics, I have come to understand the delicate interplay between convenience and cybersecurity. Maintaining device security has always been a central tenet of my work. Whether testing the newest laptops or maintaining older systems, I’ve learned that the right combination of proactive habits, reliable tools, and security awareness makes all the difference.
The guidance provided in this article should not be viewed as rigid or prescriptive rules. Rather, they represent a foundational framework—a flexible set of principles designed to help you evaluate your resources and risk tolerance. Depending on your lifestyle, device configuration, and budget, your ultimate security setup may vary. What matters is not reaching for expensive or complex solutions but instead cultivating consistent best practices that minimize vulnerabilities and maximize system longevity.
With thoughtful planning, cautious online behavior, and the aid of both modern hardware and reputable software, continuing to use Windows 10 safely for years after its official retirement remains entirely achievable.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/dont-want-to-upgrade-to-windows-11-you-dont-have-to-but-heres-what-you-should-know/
