Microsoft Pushes Windows 10 Users to Upgrade with Full-Screen Notifications as End of Support Looms

In an effort to prepare users for the upcoming end of support for Windows 10, Microsoft has been actively encouraging upgrades to Windows 11 through full-screen notifications. These reminders have started appearing 18 months before Windows 10 support officially ends, a move that has sparked discussions among users, notably on platforms like Reddit. A user named Woopinah9 shared an instance of such a notification, which thanks Windows 10 users for their loyalty before segueing into an explanation of the support cutoff date, effectively giving a mixed message of appreciation coupled with a push towards the newer operating system.

While some users might see these prompts and successfully upgrade to Windows 11, this particular Reddit user is among the many who are facing hardware limitations that prevent the upgrade. Microsoft’s hardware requirements for Windows 11 mean that numerous PCs, like the one mentioned by the Reddit user, are ineligible for the upgrade. Despite this, these systems will continue to receive Windows 10 security updates and fixes until October 14, 2025, the scheduled end of support.

Interestingly, Microsoft's full-screen prompt does not mention that users can continue to safely use Windows 10 beyond the support end date if they're willing to pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU). Recently, Microsoft announced that the ESU for Windows 10 would cost businesses $61 per device for the first year, doubling to $122 in the second year and again to $244 in the third year. Although the pricing for individual consumers has not been disclosed yet, educational institutions can expect significant discounts, with licenses costing as little as $1 for the first year, then increasing to $2 for the second year and $4 for the third year.

The strategy of using prominent update reminders isn't new for Microsoft. Back in 2016, the software giant had to fine-tune its notification process after feedback about the confusing nature of the Windows 10 upgrade prompts. Last year, Microsoft quickly addressed a bug that inaccurately prompted "incompatible" PCs to upgrade to Windows 11, despite them not meeting the minimum system requirements for the upgrade. This hiccup resulted in upgrade prompts appearing on devices that were not eligible, though the updates were never actually implemented.

Windows 11, which supports only CPUs released from 2018 onwards and devices that incorporate security chips like TPM integrated into the latest CPUs, has been adopted more slowly compared to Windows 10, which was offered as a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8 users.

Microsoft's current push serves as a reminder to users about the limited timeframe for support and encourages them to either upgrade their systems or prepare for the eventual end of Windows 10 updates. While the notifications might be seen as an aggressive strategy by some, they play a crucial role in ensuring that users are not left vulnerable once support ends. The mixed reactions among users highlight the challenges Microsoft faces as it tries to navigate the complex landscape of software upgrades, support endings, and user expectations.