What “end of support” actually means
End of support doesn’t mean your computer shuts off. Windows 10 will keep starting up, your programs will keep opening, and your files are still right where you left them. What stops is the maintenance behind the scenes:
- No more free security updates. When a new weakness is found in Windows, it doesn’t get patched on your machine.
- No more bug fixes or feature updates from Microsoft for Windows 10.
- No more free Microsoft technical support for Windows 10 issues.
- Software makers move on. Over time, browsers, banking tools, printers and other programs stop supporting the older system.
Why it matters: unpatched computers are exactly what scammers and malware look for. In my experience the trouble doesn’t show up on day one — it shows up months later, as pop-ups, a browser that’s been hijacked, or a machine that suddenly can’t get into an important website.
How to tell what you’re running
It takes about ten seconds. Click Start, type winver and press Enter. A small window pops up and tells you whether you’re on Windows 10 or Windows 11. If you’d rather not poke around, give us a call and we’ll check it with you on the phone.
Your options
If your computer meets Microsoft’s requirements, this is usually the best move. Your files and programs come along with you, and you’re back on a supported, updated system.
Some machines just need more memory or a solid-state drive to be worth keeping. I’ve upgraded thousands of PCs on enterprise projects, and the same approach works on a home computer.
If it’s old enough that Windows 11 isn’t an option, a new PC may cost less than chasing problems. We’ll tell you honestly when that’s the case — and help you pick sensibly.
Sometimes a machine has to stay put for a while. If so, we’ll help you lock it down: good security software, strong passwords, backups, and clear rules about what to avoid.
Back up before you do anything
Whatever path you choose, start with a backup. Photos, documents, tax records, email — get a copy somewhere safe before the system changes. This is the step people skip, and it’s the one that costs them. Backup help is included in the Mark’s Computer Repair Yearly Service Plan, and we’re glad to walk you through it either way.
How we can help
Between my work as a field engineer and the repair side at Mark’s Computer Repair, Windows migrations are something I’ve done over and over — including bank-wide moves from Windows 7 to Windows 10 across the Southeast, where every workstation had to keep working the next morning. The same care goes into the computer on your kitchen table.
- Free honest check: we’ll tell you whether your PC can run Windows 11 and whether it’s worth upgrading.
- Backups first, so your files and settings are protected before anything changes.
- The upgrade itself, done remotely or on site, with your programs, printers and email set back up afterward.
- New PC setup if replacing makes more sense — everything moved over and ready to use.
- Security cleanup for machines that have already picked up pop-ups or malware along the way.
Not sure where your computer stands?
Call Mark’s Computer Repair — remote help is available 24/7.
Have a question about an upgrade, or a fleet of machines to move at a business? Contact David.
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