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Windows 10 Support Has Ended: What South Africans Should Do Now

Posted on by Liam Daniels
Windows 10 Support Has Ended: What South Africans Should Do Now

If you are still running Windows 10, your PC stopped getting security updates on 14 October 2025. It still switches on and works as normal, but Microsoft no longer patches new security holes, which leaves the machine more exposed the longer you stay on it. Here is what that actually means for South African users, your realistic options, and how to decide between upgrading, paying for extended support, or moving to a machine that is already built for Windows 11.

Quick answer: if your PC supports Windows 11, upgrade it for free. If it does not, the most cost-effective fix for most people is a refurbished business laptop or desktop that already runs genuine Windows 11 Pro.

Key takeaways

  • Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025 and no longer receives security updates.
  • Your computer keeps working, but the security risk grows the longer you stay on it.
  • Windows 11 needs a fairly recent CPU (Intel 8th generation or newer, or AMD Ryzen 2000 or newer) and TPM 2.0.
  • Older machines that fail those requirements are usually cheaper to replace than to nurse along.
  • A refurbished business machine with Windows 11 Pro is the lowest-cost way to get current again.

What end of support actually means

End of support does not mean your PC suddenly stops. It means Microsoft has stopped releasing security patches, bug fixes and technical help for Windows 10. Any new vulnerability found from now on stays unpatched. For a machine you use for banking, email, work or storing personal files, that risk adds up fast, and over time more apps and browsers will quietly drop Windows 10 support too.

Your options, from cheapest to most expensive

  • Upgrade to Windows 11 free if your current PC is eligible. This is the best option when it is available to you.
  • Pay for Extended Security Updates, a stopgap that buys limited extra time on Windows 10 for a fee. It is a delay, not a fix.
  • Replace the machine with a Windows 11-ready one. For older hardware that cannot upgrade, this is usually cheaper than people expect, especially refurbished.
  • Stay on Windows 10 unprotected, which we would not recommend for anything connected to the internet.

How to tell if your PC can upgrade

Windows 11 has firm hardware requirements: a supported processor (roughly Intel 8th generation or newer, or AMD Ryzen 2000 or newer), 4GB of RAM or more, and TPM 2.0 switched on. Many laptops sold before about 2018 fail on the processor or the TPM, which is why so many people are stuck on Windows 10. The quickest way to check is Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app, or open Settings and then Windows Update, which will tell you whether your machine is eligible.

If you need to replace it, refurbished is the smart move

If your PC cannot upgrade, you do not have to buy new. An ex-corporate refurbished laptop from HP, Dell or Lenovo will already meet the Windows 11 requirements, because business machines from the last several years use exactly the supported processors and TPM chips. Every laptop from Device Shop ships with genuine Windows 11 Pro already installed and activated, so you are current from day one, at a fraction of the price of a new machine. If you work from a fixed desk, the same applies to a refurbished desktop computer.

For a sensible, future-proof spec, a Core i5 laptop with 8GB of RAM and an SSD runs Windows 11 comfortably for everyday work. If you are choosing a replacement on a budget, our guide to the best cheap laptop brands in South Africa breaks down which models give you the most for your money.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to keep using Windows 10 after end of support?

It will keep working, but it no longer gets security updates, so the risk grows over time. For anything you use online, you should move to Windows 11 or to a Windows 11 machine.

Can I upgrade my old laptop to Windows 11 for free?

Yes, if it meets the requirements (a supported CPU, 4GB or more of RAM and TPM 2.0). If it does not, Microsoft blocks the free upgrade, and replacing the machine is usually the better value.

What is the cheapest way to get a Windows 11 computer?

A refurbished business laptop or desktop. These already meet the Windows 11 requirements and come with genuine Windows 11 Pro, for far less than a new machine.

Windows 10 reaching end of support is a nudge, not an emergency. Check whether your current PC can upgrade, and if it cannot, a tested refurbished machine running Windows 11 Pro is the simplest and cheapest way to stay secure.