Microsoft has not verified the claim that Windows 10 is active on 1.3 billion devices. Its last stated Windows 10 milestone was more than one billion active devices in March 2020. In June 2025, Microsoft reported over 1.4 billion monthly active Windows devices—but that figure covers Windows, not Windows 10 alone. Windows 10 Home and Pro support ended on October 14, 2025, so owners should now check whether to upgrade, use eligible Extended Security Updates, or replace their PC.
What Microsoft has said about Windows 10’s user base
Microsoft announced on March 16, 2020, that Windows 10 had “more than one billion active Windows 10 devices” across 200 countries. That is the official Windows 10-specific figure in the statements cited here; it is a dated milestone, not a current device count. Microsoft’s 2020 announcement did not give a 1.3-billion figure.
On June 24, 2025, Microsoft said Windows powered “over 1.4 billion monthly active devices.” That statement refers to Windows overall and does not identify how many of those devices were running Windows 10. It cannot be used as a Windows 10 count. Microsoft’s 2025 statement is the more recent figure, but its scope is different.
Is Windows 10 still supported?
No. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 Home and Pro on October 14, 2025. Microsoft’s lifecycle page lists that date. A PC with Windows 10 will still start and run, but after support ends it no longer receives normal free security updates, feature updates, or technical support from Microsoft. Microsoft’s end-of-support guidance explains the change.
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End of support does not automatically disable the computer or remove installed files and apps. The practical change is that newly discovered security problems may go unpatched unless the device qualifies for a separate update program. Application and hardware makers set their own support policies, so Windows 10 end of support does not by itself establish when a particular app, printer, or other device will stop working.
Choose what to do with your Windows 10 PC
The decision depends on whether the PC meets Windows 11 requirements, how long you need to keep it, and whether its software and peripherals will work after a change.
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| Option | Best fit | Security and support | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upgrade to Windows 11 | The existing PC passes Microsoft’s compatibility check | Moves the PC to Microsoft’s currently supported Windows client platform; check Microsoft’s current lifecycle terms for the Windows 11 edition | Upgrade and application or peripheral compatibility need checking |
| Enroll in Consumer ESU | An eligible Windows 10 device needs a short-term security bridge | Critical and important security updates are listed through October 13, 2026, for enrolled devices | Time-limited protection; eligibility and terms depend on edition and region, and ESU does not restore feature updates or full support |
| Replace the PC | The current hardware cannot run Windows 11 or is nearing replacement anyway | A Windows 11-compatible replacement avoids relying on Windows 10 after support ends | Upfront cost and the work of transferring files, apps, and settings |
1. Check Windows 11 compatibility
Microsoft recommends checking compatibility before upgrading. Use its Windows 11 specifications and requirements and follow its installation guidance. If the PC qualifies, upgrading lets you keep the computer rather than replacing it solely because Windows 10 support ended. Before installing, check that essential apps, printers, and other peripherals are compatible and make a backup of important files.
2. Consider Extended Security Updates if you need more time
Microsoft’s Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is a limited security bridge, not an extension of ordinary Windows 10 support. Microsoft says enrolled devices receive critical and important security updates through October 13, 2026. ESU does not include feature updates or restore normal technical support. Check Microsoft’s current ESU terms for device eligibility, enrollment details, edition, and availability in your country; terms may differ for consumer and organizational customers.
ESU may make sense if you need a defined period to arrange an upgrade or replacement and the PC is eligible. It is not a long-term substitute for moving to a supported platform, and the published end date means you should plan what comes next.
3. Replace a PC that cannot be upgraded
If the computer does not meet Windows 11 requirements, Microsoft identifies replacement with a Windows 11-compatible device as a practical path. Before buying, confirm the exact model meets Microsoft’s requirements and that your essential programs, files, printers, and other equipment can move with you. Factor in the effort of setting up the new PC as well as its purchase price; a replacement may be a laptop or desktop depending on how you use the current machine.
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What the device numbers mean for owners
The historical milestone of more than one billion Windows 10 devices shows the platform’s scale in 2020, but it does not tell an individual owner whether their PC is safe, eligible for an upgrade, or receiving updates today. The 2025 figure of over 1.4 billion monthly active Windows devices is broader still. For a decision about your own computer, the useful facts are its Windows edition, Windows 11 compatibility, ESU eligibility, and the support policies for the apps and peripherals you rely on.
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