Amid Windows 10 end of support, check out about the Windows 11 hardware requirements, upgrade options and Consumer ESU program; MS Office 2016 and Office 2019 also reach end of support
Microsoft has yesterday released the last official update for the Windows 10 operating system and from 14th October onwards, Windows 10 has reached the end of support. We already shared with you about the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for organisations, with which Windows 10 users can still receive paid updates. There is also a Consumer ESU program.
Windows 10 Consumer ESU program
Microsoft offers a one-year Extended Security Updates program for consumers for a one-time fee of $30 USD. A single license covers up to 10 devices tied to the same Microsoft account. The program only provides critical and essential security updates, excluding new features, non-security updates, or technical support beyond ESU activation assistance.
Consumer includes three pathways: direct purchase through the Microsoft Store, using Microsoft Reward points (1,000 points), or enabling Windows Backup with OneDrive synchronization. The consumer ESU program can’t be used by commercial devices.
To enroll in this program, make sure your device meets the following requirements:
- Devices need to be running Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstations edition.
- Devices need to have the latest Windows update installed
- The Microsoft account used to sign in to the device must be an administrator account.
- The Microsoft account can’t be a child account.
In case you are planning to upgrade your device to Windows 11, in order to receive free security updates, check out the Windows 11 hardware requirements and upgrade options below.
Windows 11 hardware requirements
Minimum system requirements
Windows 11 requires specific hardware components, including a compatible 64-bit processor (8th generation Intel or AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer), 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, TPM 2.0, and DirectX 12 compatible graphics with WDDM 2.0 driver. The display must be at least 9 inches diagonally with 720p resolution and 8 bits per color channel. Internet connectivity and a Microsoft account are mandatory during initial setup for Windows 11 Home and for Windows 11 Pro when used for personal use.
Compatibility verification tools
Microsoft provides the PC Health Check application to assess upgrade eligibility. Users can download this tool from Microsoft’s website and run compatibility assessments to identify specific hardware limitations preventing Windows 11 installation.
To check TPM 2.0 availability, press Windows + R, type tpm.msc, and verify the specification version shows 2.0. Alternative verification methods include checking Device Manager under Security devices or accessing BIOS/UEFI settings, where TPM may be listed as fTPM (firmware TPM) or PTT (Platform Trust Technology).
This tool functions solely on a standalone machine. For a domain-joined computer, use this PowerShell script to verify Windows 11 compatibility.
Windows 11 upgrade options
Direct in-place upgrade
Commercial systems can upgrade directly through Windows Update. Navigate to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update and select Check for updates to receive the Windows 11 upgrade notification. The device must run Windows 10 version 2004 or later to qualify for this upgrade path.
Installation method
For a clean installation, create bootable installation media with the Media Creation Tool (or ISO) and boot from it; the Windows 11 Installation Assistant supports in‑place upgrades only.
Hardware upgrade considerations
Systems failing Windows 11 compatibility checks may require component upgrades such as TPM module installation, BIOS updates to enable Secure Boot, or motherboard replacement for newer processor support. Organizations should evaluate upgrade costs against new hardware acquisition.
Enterprise deployment
Organizations can use existing tools and infrastructure for Windows 10 and Windows 11 while reviewing compatibility with non-Microsoft solutions. However, proper configuration is required for on-premises tools like WSUS and Configuration Manager, as well as cloud services such as Intune and Autopilot to support Windows 11 deployment.
Alternatives to a Windows 10 upgrade include- Antivirus protection strategies, Alternative OS, and cloud-based alternatives.
Other than Windows 10, MS Office 2019 and Office 2016 have also reached the end of support.
MS Office 2019 & Office 2016: Reach end of support
Windows 10, Office 2016 and
Office 2019 have reached end of support as of today.Not sure what's next?
Read through ➡️ https://t.co/Ep7vpB052Uhttps://t.co/oMSqOBcFNU pic.twitter.com/kHpAhk9uoY— Microsoft Support (@MicrosoftHelps) October 14, 2025
Support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 has also ended yesterday, and there will be no extension and no extended security updates. Though Office 2016 and Office 2019 apps will continue to function, but could be exposed to harmful security risks.
Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, bug fixes, or security fixes for Office 2016 and Office 2019 vulnerabilities. You will no longer receive Office 2016 and Office 2019 software updates from Microsoft Update, no further updates to support content will be provided, and most online help content will be retired.
Users are advised to upgrade to a new version of Office so that they can stay up to date with the latest features, patches, and security updates.
