"Windows 10 Operates on Multiple Personal Computers: A Russian Roulette Scenario"
Headline: Germany Warned of Cybersecurity Risks as Windows 10 Support Nears End
As the support end date for Windows 10 approaches on October 14, 2025, users in Germany face significant risks. With over one million computers still running on outdated versions of Windows 7, 8, 8.1, XP, and Windows 10, these systems will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support after the cutoff, making them more susceptible to security vulnerabilities.
IT security expert Alexander Opel from Eset warns of the potential consequences of using outdated operating systems. He advises against purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU) as it only delays the upgrade to the near future. Operating a business with outdated systems is irresponsible, leaving it vulnerable to successful cyberattacks, according to Opel.
Gartner forecasts potential fire sales in the second half of the year due to full warehouses at PC manufacturers. Suppliers are trying to clear their excess inventory because of new tariffs and ongoing uncertainties dampening market activity.
In Germany, approximately 57% of all Windows computers are equipped with the outdated Windows 10. However, 17.9 million PCs have already installed Windows 11, an increase of eight percent since November 2024. Cybercriminals are already waiting to exploit vulnerabilities as soon as support ends.
The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) recommends switching to alternative operating systems like macOS for Apple Macintosh computers or the free Linux system to mitigate these risks. Users of outdated operating systems are at risk of becoming victims of undiscovered and unpatched security holes.
Microsoft offers an additional year of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for 30 US dollars (around 27 euros) to private users and commercial customers. However, this is subject to eligibility criteria and not a long-term solution. The ideal path is to upgrade to Windows 11 or a supported newer OS to maintain security, performance, and compliance. Upgrading may also require new hardware if existing devices do not meet Windows 11 requirements, so purchasing new PCs can be a necessary alternative.
Ranjit Atwal, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, predicts a "period of uncertainty" in the purchase of new PCs due to increased economic and geopolitical risks. This is a novelty as support extensions for Windows have only been available for companies in the past. Opel suggests that now is the time for companies to perform an upgrade due to the cost of support potentially outweighing the benefit for many organizations.
In summary, the choices for users in Germany with Windows 10 as end of support nears are:
- Upgrade to Windows 11 or another supported operating system to ensure ongoing security and compatibility.
- Purchase new hardware if existing devices cannot support newer OS versions.
- Use Extended Security Updates (ESU) for a short-term security patch extension, typically up to one year, but plan migration as soon as possible.
- Continue running unsupported Windows 10 at increased risk of security breaches, software malfunctions, loss of technical support, and potential legal/regulatory issues.
Organizations and individuals should actively plan their migration well before October 2025 to minimize disruption and security risks.
- Following the warnings from IT security expert Alexander Opel, it is advisable for German individuals and organizations to consider upgrading their outdated Windows 10 systems, as continuing to use these systems may leave them vulnerable to successful cyberattacks.
- As cybercriminals are already preparing to exploit vulnerabilities once the support for Windows 10 ends, it is crucial for users in Germany to take necessary actions, such as upgrading to Windows 11 or a supported operating system, purchasing new hardware, or using Extended Security Updates for a temporary solution, to minimize security risks.
