October 26, 2026

Windows 10 No Longer Receiving Security Updates: What It Means and What to Do Now

You check Windows Update and see a message that your version of Windows has reached the end of support, or you notice that months have passed without new security patches. When Windows 10 no longer receiving security updates becomes your situation, the PC still works, but its YYPAUS Login protection gradually weakens.

Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. Home users could enrol in a one-year Extended Security Updates programme, which was scheduled to run until October 2026. Businesses can buy extended updates for longer.

Without security updates, newly discovered weaknesses in Windows are not fixed. Attackers often target unsupported systems for exactly that reason.

You have several practical options, depending on your hardware and budget.

What Might Be Causing It

Security updates stop arriving for these reasons:

• Windows 10 has passed its end-of-support date.
• The PC was not enrolled in Extended Security Updates, or that coverage has ended.
• The PC is not on Windows 10 version 22H2, the last version that receives updates.
• Windows Update is broken, paused, or blocked by settings.

Check which of these applies before deciding what to do.

First Steps to Try

Confirm your current status.

1. Press Windows + R, type winver, and confirm the version is 22H2.
2. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and read any messages about support or Extended Security Updates.
3. Select View update history and note the date of the most recent security update.
4. Check that updates are not paused and that Windows Update is not failing with errors.
5. Run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to see whether the PC meets Windows 11 requirements.

If the PC is eligible, upgrading to Windows 11 restores regular security updates at no cost.

If the Problem Continues

Choose a long-term path.

1. If PC Health Check reports a disabled TPM or Secure Boot, enable them in the BIOS and check again.
2. If the PC is eligible, back up files and upgrade through Windows Update or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
3. If the PC is not eligible, plan for a replacement device or a different supported operating system.
4. In the meantime, keep your browser, antivirus definitions, and apps fully updated.
5. Avoid using the unsupported PC for banking and sensitive accounts if alternatives are available.

Microsoft has said that some components, such as Defender virus definitions and the Edge browser, continue to receive updates for a period after Windows 10 support ends. Those help, but they do not replace operating system patches.

Protect Your Data First

Back up all important files before any upgrade or migration. Use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-step verification for important accounts. Be extra cautious with email attachments and unknown downloads on an unsupported system.

The Bottom Line

Windows 10 no longer receives regular security updates. Check your version and update status, upgrade to Windows 11 if eligible, and plan for a supported device if not. Until then, keep apps updated and limit risky activities.