Microsoft is planning to end its sale of Windows 10 licenses by the end of the month. It should prevent its customers from downloading the older operating system directly from their websites.
So if you are planning on upgrading to Windows 10 or building a PC based on it, you might need to think twice.
(Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
A view of the new Microsoft Surface Laptop following a Microsoft launch event, May 2, 2017 in New York City. The Windows 10 S operating system is geared toward the education market and is Microsoft's answer to Google's Chrome OS.
Microsoft looks to be encouraging PC users to install Windows 11 instead.
Microsoft Windows 10 Licenses No Longer Sold by End of January
The giant software maker announced that it would no longer sell Windows 10 licenses by the end of the month, PC World reports.
So by February, its customers could no longer get their hands on the various Windows 10 versions straight from the website of Microsoft.
The tech behemoth now warns visitors of its Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, and Windows 10 Workstation websites that digital downloads of these operating systems will end this January 31.
By the end of this month, Microsoft will no longer offer licenses to Windows 10. But if you really want to install it, you may still do so by going to other third-party retailers.
The notice from the Microsoft website says that "January 31, 2023, will be the last day this Windows 10 download is offered for sale."
However, the tech giant notes "Windows 10 will remain supported with security updates." Given that, its users could still get protection for their PCs from pesky spyware, viruses, and other unwanted malware.
Read Also: Fake Windows 10 Updates Installs Ransomware! Some Microsoft Users Already Affected
Windows 10 Users Warned to Update Their PCs
Meanwhile, Express UK notes in its story that the tech giant is now telling Windows 10 users to update to Windows 11 as early as now.
(Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 2: A view of the new Microsoft Surface Laptop following a Microsoft launch event, May 2, 2017 in New York City. The Windows 10 S operating system is geared toward the education market and is Microsoft's answer to Google's Chrome OS.
It comes as Microsoft plans to end support for the older OS in the next two years.
The tech giant admits that "Most Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 devices will not meet the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11."
Given that, these Windows users with "compatible PCs can be upgraded to Windows 10 by purchasing and installing a full version of the software." However, the software maker warns its customers that upgrading to Windows 10 might only be a temporary solution.
Microsoft warns that "before investing in a Windows 10 upgrade, please consider that Windows 10 will reach its end of support date on October 14, 2025."
So in roughly two years, these folks will have to update to Windows 11, or else, they might potentially expose themselves to cybersecurity risks.
As early as now, Microsoft is now discouraging its customers from getting Windows 10, starting by stopping its sales by the end of this month.
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