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Windows 10 PCs face three times the security risk
Windows 10 PCs average 1,903 active vulnerabilities versus 652 on Windows 11, while Microsoft’s ESU support ends October 12, 2027.
Image: PCWorld
Windows 10 PCs carry an average of 1,903 active security vulnerabilities, nearly three times the 652 vulnerabilities found on systems running Windows 11, according to a new study by Lansweeper.
The figures make upgrading to Windows 11 the stronger security choice for users whose hardware supports it, PCWorld reports via Neowin. Yet the transition remains incomplete: 19.28% of Windows PCs in the US were still running Windows 10 as of June 2026, according to Statcounter.
Windows 10 security support ends in 2027
Security experts warned as early as January 2025 that users should not delay the move to Windows 11. Since then, Windows 10's exposure has continued to grow, and the older operating system is expected to become more vulnerable to threats as time passes.
Microsoft no longer provides regular updates for Windows 10. Users who remain on the platform can receive security patches through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which was recently extended by another year.
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Those who stay with Windows 10 should sign up for the free ESU program. It will provide the latest Windows 10 security updates until October 12, 2027.
Not all experts recommend switching. Data privacy specialists have advised businesses and organizations to remain on Windows 10 for as long as possible rather than move to Windows 11. That guidance is primarily aimed at companies, but it also applies to home users.
This article originally appeared in PC för Alla and was translated and localized from Swedish.
Security Editor
Sophia unpacks the invisible wars happening on our networks. Covering cybersecurity, privacy legislation, and cryptography, she exposes how our data is weaponized and defended. Before joining for(geeks), she spent years as a penetration tester. She's the reason the rest of the team uses physical security keys.
via PCWorld
