# I still have Windows 10 do i still get security updates? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 23, 2026, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087 "2026-10-23T07:17:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Loggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/1 "2026-10-23T07:17:08Z")
I know my pc can be upgraded to w11, but it required something in my bios. But i dont like changes anymore, so this is my questions in my topic description. My pc was a gaming pc a few years ago, so it was speedy, 32gb, quick processor, SSD disk etc. It is ready for W11, but something need to be changed in my bios…what? I dont want w11 for convenience— just for safety updates. Does w10 still provide those? I just hate changes… ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/2 "2026-10-23T08:02:13Z")
Unless you have enrolled in the [extended updates program](https://www.microsoft.com/en-ph/windows/extended-security-updates), you will stop getting updates. Probably. Mostly. In the past, Microsoft has released service packs or updates for operating systems after EOL because they felt a moral obligation - or something like that - to act against a severe security issue that would have used out-of-date computers as a vector to cause problems for everyone else. I wouldn’t rely on this happening though. ---
**Author:** ![Loggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/3 "2026-10-23T08:05:06Z")
What in my bios could be required to change, for me to update to Windows 11? sounds weird that it would, ive updated since early 90s ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/4 "2026-10-23T08:07:05Z")
Maybe something to do with TPM > **[Enable TPM 2.0 on your PC | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/devicesecurity/enable-tpm-2-0-on-your-pc)** > > Learn how to check if your PC is capable of running TPM 2.0 or how to enable TPM 2.0 to upgrade to Windows 11. ---
**Author:** ![Loggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/5 "2026-10-23T08:55:33Z")
I managed to enable tpm 2.0 in bios, but it didnt update my windows.. hmm ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/6 "2026-10-23T09:27:59Z")
Upgrading Windows will be a separate process - the TPM thing is just a prerequisite. If you click Start\>Settings\>Update & Security\>Windows Update you should see an option for it - and if that doesn’t work, it will tell you why. Back up any important files onto removable storage first, and if you have any important software, make sure you have the means to install and register it before you proceed (your machine might retain all of these things, or it might not, during the transition to Windows 11). Proceed at your own risk! ---
**Author:** ![Loggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/7 "2026-10-23T09:33:48Z")
Is there a way to back up my cookies? most of my registrations and passwords are there.. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/8 "2026-10-23T11:28:50Z")
I’m getting updates on my Win 10 Dell laptop. I vaguely remember clicking Accept to the extended support agreement. That was last year. My laptop didn’t pass the eligibility test for Win 11 upgrade. I bought a used Dell Win 11 laptop. It’s really not a big change. I did have to create a Microsoft account. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/9 "2026-10-23T13:05:23Z")
Why are you upgrading anyway? The security stuff is overblown. Use a router, turn on the firewall, don’t download shady things and use webmail instead of a local client and you’ll probably be fine… if not, you can always wipe it later. > [@Loggins](#): > > Is there a way to back up my cookies? most of my registrations and passwords are there.. You can back up your browser profile folder. The cookies are in local databases. But why? Shouldn’t you have a password manager or such? It’s not safe to only have your sessions saved but not the actual login info. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/10 "2026-10-23T13:06:31Z")
What browser do you use? When have done W10 → W11 upgrades, Chrome and Firefox weren’t affected at all. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/11 "2026-10-23T13:11:15Z")
If you really want to upgrade for some reason but can’t figure out what’s blocking it… The Microsoft health check thing might be able to tell you: [How to use the PC Health Check app | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/compatibility/how-to-use-the-pc-health-check-app) If not, pay for a month of Claude Code and ask it and it’ll scan everything on your computer and figure out why. It can help with the cookies question too. ---
**Author:** ![Keith1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Keith1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keith1)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/12 "2026-10-23T13:30:39Z")
You can get Win 10 security patches here. Cost is about $30 US/year. > **[Better Security Patches](https://0patch.com/)** > > Tiny reboot-less security patches for critical vulnerabilities in Windows, Microsoft Office, and other Windows products ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/13 "2026-10-23T13:39:53Z")
Microsoft is offering the Extended Security Updates for about another year (until October 12, 2027). Given that, why would you pay someone else for patches? And how can you trust this other company? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/14 "2026-10-23T13:40:54Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > why would you pay someone else for patches? And how can you trust this other company? I share your caution, but this other company is offering a free service for personal use. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/15 "2026-10-23T13:41:57Z")
Still, even if what they’re offering is free, is it worth it? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/16 "2026-10-23T13:54:09Z")
Are you suggesting it can’t be good unless it costs something? There’s loads of free software that is really good. Edit: in fact it’s getting to be the case that the free software is often better than the paid stuff. In this case, the free tier for personal use exists alongside paid tiers for business/enterprise, which will be their profit centre. If it works as they claim, it’s better than Windows update because they patch faster than Microsoft - often on day zero, and if I’m correctly understanding their mechanism, it stands less chance of breaking your computer because patches can be instantly reverted. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/17 "2026-10-23T13:56:42Z")
My point is that you can get patches from the company that understands the operating system best (because they wrote it and have access to the source code), or you can get patches from some other company with who-knows-what understanding of the operating system. I know which I would (and do) choose. ---
**Author:** ![Keith1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Keith1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keith1)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/18 "2026-10-23T14:03:04Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Still, even if what they’re offering is free, is it worth it? I believe if you read the information it suggests the ‘free’ is more of a trial thing and not really recommended. It’s been awhile since I’ve read it so I don’t recall exact details, I only remember that it made more sense to subscribe to the paid version. As for trustworthiness; is it any less trustworthy than Microsoft? Bear in mind the reason they’re able to offer such a solution is largely because some don’t want to use Microsoft any more than they have to, or don’t wish to ‘upgrade’ to version 11 spyware. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/19 "2026-10-23T14:05:02Z")
Yeah, sorry, my days of comfortably using ‘trust’ and ‘Microsoft’ in the same sentence came to a middle quite a while back. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087/20 "2026-10-23T14:49:39Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My point is that you can get patches from the company that understands the operating system best Well, then again, Microslop doesn’t have the best track record with either their operating systems or their patches… Windows 11 is a bait-and-switch that wasn’t even supposed to exist. It should’ve just been a free incremental update. Instead they forced through a bunch of bullshit just to add ads. Microsoft itself is the one most likely to break your computer through planned obsolescence. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-still-have-windows-10-do-i-still-get-security-updates/1034087.md?page=2)