Overview
This is a short solo explainer from the ExplainingComputers channel, presented by Christopher Barnatt. With the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Update (ESU) programme ending on 13 October 2026, the episode walks through the practical options available to people still running Windows 10 Home or Pro who need to decide what to do before that deadline.
Bottom Line
The episode is a concise, well-organised survey of seven or eight distinct paths forward for Windows 10 users. It requires minimal effort to follow and covers enough ground to help most people identify which option suits their situation. It is most useful for non-specialist users who want a clear map of their choices rather than deep technical instruction on any single one.
Key Themes
- End of Windows 10 consumer security support
- Upgrading to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware
- Migrating to Linux distributions
- Hybrid approaches combining Windows and Linux
- Risks of running an unpatched operating system
- Third-party and enterprise patch alternatives
What Was Discussed
The deadline and its significance Windows 10 consumer ESUs end on 13 October 2026. Unlike the previous October 2025 deadline — where users could simply enrol for ESUs and continue as before — this one is final for Home and Pro users. Enterprise and Education editions can still pay for ESUs until 2028. With roughly 72% of Windows users now on Windows 11 and 26% still on Windows 10, an extension of consumer ESUs is not expected.
Options that no longer hold up Doing nothing — continuing to run Windows 10 unpatched — is presented as increasingly risky. AI tools are now highly capable at finding security vulnerabilities, and unpatched systems are likely to be exploited. Running Windows 10 offline remains technically secure but impractical for most users.
Third-party and enterprise patch routes Zero Patch, a paid service from Across Security (€24.95 per year plus tax), will provide Windows 10 security patches for at least four more years, but requires trusting a non-Microsoft source. Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 is supported until January 2029, but the installation image is only available through a Microsoft volume licensing account — there is no legitimate public download — making this route inaccessible to most consumers.
Installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware A tool called Rufus can create bootable Windows 11 installation media that bypasses the usual requirements for TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and a Microsoft account. As of late May 2026, this method continues to work. The caveat is that unsupported installations receive security updates but not feature updates, and the current version, 25H2, only receives security patches until October 2027 — after which the process would need to be repeated.
Linux and Chromium-based alternatives For users willing to leave Windows entirely, desktop Linux distributions such as Zorin OS 18 and Ubuntu 26.04 are recommended, with an emphasis on choosing one that automates driver and codec installation to avoid command-line setup. Chrome OS Flex and FydeOS are suggested for users who mainly need a browser and cloud applications. A key caution: always test from a USB drive before replacing Windows, to confirm hardware compatibility.
Hybrid approaches Three middle-ground options are outlined: dual-booting Linux alongside an offline Windows 10 installation; running Windows 10 in an offline virtual machine from within Linux; or continuing to use Windows 10 while running a Linux virtual machine for all internet activity.
Notable Points
The presenter notes that AI-assisted vulnerability discovery has made running unpatched operating systems significantly more dangerous than it was even a few years ago, and flags that Microsoft may choose not to share enterprise patches with consumer Windows 10 users after the ESU deadline.
The Enterprise LTSC route, which might appear attractive on paper, is highlighted as practically inaccessible to most home users: the ISO file required for installation is only available through a Microsoft volume licensing account, with no legitimate public alternative.
For Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, the Rufus method is described as functional but not permanent. Version 25H2 loses security update support in October 2027, meaning users on unsupported hardware will need to act again within roughly a year of the Windows 10 deadline.
The presenter mentions his own 2018 Asus laptop as a concrete example, noting he plans to install Ubuntu 26.04 alongside a Windows XP virtual machine for legacy software access — illustrating the hybrid approach in a real-world scenario.
Worth Listening If…
- You are running Windows 10 Home or Pro and have not yet decided what to do before October 2026.
- You want a structured overview of all available options in one place, including less well-known routes such as Zero Patch or Enterprise LTSC.
- You are considering Linux but want practical guidance on which distributions handle setup automatically and how to test compatibility safely.
Skip If…
- You have already moved to Windows 11 or a Linux distribution and are settled on your setup.
- You are looking for step-by-step technical instructions for any of the options mentioned — this episode maps the landscape but links out to separate videos for the detail.