Windows 10 support has ended: what Calgary PC owners should do now
Three safe paths forward, and we will walk you through the right one.
Regular support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025, so these PCs no longer receive security fixes unless they are enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Microsoft extended consumer ESU coverage to October 12, 2027, and PCs that are already enrolled continue automatically with nothing to do. If your PC is not enrolled, check whether it can run Windows 11 in Settings, then Windows Update, or ask us to check for you.
How to check if your PC can run Windows 11
Windows 11 needs specific hardware: a supported 64-bit processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, at least 4 GB of memory, and 64 GB of storage.
Check Windows Update
Open Settings, then Windows Update. On many PCs, Microsoft shows whether the Windows 11 upgrade is ready for your device.
Run PC Health Check
Microsoft's free PC Health Check app confirms each requirement and tells you exactly what falls short, if anything.
Ask us
Not sure what the results mean? We check eligibility remotely in minutes and tell you plainly whether an upgrade makes sense.
Enrolling in Extended Security Updates (ESU)
ESU is Microsoft's program that keeps sending security updates to Windows 10 PCs after regular support ends. On June 25, 2026, Microsoft extended consumer ESU coverage to October 12, 2027. PCs that were already enrolled were extended automatically, with nothing to do.
Free with a Microsoft account
Sync your Windows settings to a Microsoft account and enrollment is free. This is the option most home users choose.
1,000 Rewards points
Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points instead of paying anything.
US$30 one-time purchase
Pay once, with no subscription. One ESU license covers up to 10 devices, so it can protect every Windows 10 PC in the house.
To enroll, open Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update, and choose "Enroll now". Business PCs are handled differently: business ESU is a separate paid per-device program, so talk to us before enrolling company machines. Read the details straight from the source: Microsoft's Extended Security Updates page.
Back up before you upgrade
Upgrades rarely go wrong, but your files are irreplaceable, so back them up first.
Documents and photos
Copy your documents, photos, and anything in Downloads to an external drive or cloud storage.
Browser and email
Make sure bookmarks and saved passwords are synced to your browser account before the upgrade.
Verify it
Open a few files from the backup to confirm they are readable. A backup you have never checked is only a hope.
Upgrade or replace: how to decide
There are three reasonable paths. The right one depends on your PC's age, speed, and whether it meets Windows 11's requirements.
Upgrade to Windows 11
Best when your PC meets the requirements and still runs well. Your files and most programs come along, and full security updates resume.
Enroll in ESU
Best when the PC works fine but cannot run Windows 11. ESU keeps security updates coming until October 12, 2027, buying time to plan a replacement.
Replace the PC
Best when the machine is slow, old, or failing anyway. We help you choose a replacement, move everything over, and set it up properly.
We give you an honest recommendation, not a sales pitch. If your PC has years left in it, we will say so.
What we do and what it costs
Remote support is $75/hr and onsite visits are $150/hr, with a one-hour minimum. We confirm the likely path before any work starts, so there are no surprises.
Check
We verify Windows 11 eligibility and whether ESU enrollment makes sense for your situation.
Back up
Your files are backed up and verified before anything changes.
Upgrade or enroll
We handle the Windows 11 upgrade or enroll your PC in ESU, then confirm updates are flowing.
Or replace
If a new PC is the smarter move, we help you choose it, move everything over, and set it up.
Windows 10 questions, answered.
Is my Windows 10 PC unsafe right now?
If your PC is not enrolled in ESU, it no longer receives security fixes, so the risk grows over time as new vulnerabilities are found. Enrolling in ESU or upgrading to Windows 11 closes that gap. We can check your status in minutes.
Can I still upgrade to Windows 11 for free?
Microsoft's free upgrade terms change over time, so we never assume. We check your PC's eligibility first and confirm the cost, if any, before doing anything.
What does ESU actually cover?
Per Microsoft, ESU provides critical and important security updates only. It does not add new features, change how Windows 10 looks, or include technical support.
Can I enroll in ESU and upgrade later?
Yes. Per Microsoft, you can enroll in ESU now to stay protected and upgrade to Windows 11 later when you are ready.
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