Microsoft started showing full-screen ads about the end of support for Windows 10

Microsoft has updated the official document to determine the date of discontinuation of support (death) of Windows 10. Accordingly, the company will only maintain support for Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 versions. Education until October 14, 2025

After this time, users of the above Windows 10 versions will no longer receive any support services or important security updates from Microsoft.

So we're about 18 months away from the end of mainstream Windows 10 support, but Microsoft thinks it's time to start warning Windows 10 users about switching to a newer version of the operating system. Recently, some Reddit users reported spotting a new full-screen ad pushed to their system, which announced that Windows 10 was about to 'end of life' in October 2025, although though the operating system is still steadily receiving new features (there are even rumors of Microsoft reopening the Windows Insider Program for Windows 10).

Notably, there's no way for users to turn off Microsoft's new ads, even for those using a PC system that isn't technically eligible to support Windows 11.

It appears that the new banner is designed and targeted specifically at Windows 10 customers who cannot upgrade due to Windows 11's high hardware requirements. Microsoft thanks Windows 10 users for their loyalty, and suggests They want to learn more about the harmful effects when Windows 10 stops supporting, as well as the benefits when updating to Windows 11. Specific content is as follows:

New journey with Windows

We want to thank you for your loyalty as a Windows 10 customer. As support for Windows 10 ends, we're ready to help you continue on your Windows PC journey.

Your PC is not eligible to upgrade to Windows 11 but will continue to receive Windows 10 security updates and bug fixes until support ends on October 14, 2025.

There is no opt-out button, you can just postpone the display or click "Learn more".

However, it is important that Microsoft should warn Windows 10 users in more detail about the impending end of support, especially considering the huge market share of this operating system at the present time. It's a bit strange to see Microsoft starting a campaign so early without saying a word about the paid Extended Security Program (ESU). This program also applies to ordinary users, not just organizations and businesses.

With that said, Microsoft has yet to announce an extended update support (ESU) policy for home users, so it's likely that users will have to see this banner a few more times. The approach itself isn't new—Microsoft used a similar tactic with Windows 7 before the operating system ended official support in early 2020.

Jessica Tanner

Update 14 April 2024