With Microsoft set to officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14th, 2025, users will need to start thinking about their next move. After this date, the operating system will no longer receive free security updates—though Microsoft will offer extended protection for select users. Those with a Microsoft account or who are willing to pay a $30 annual fee can extend security update access for an extra year, but that only delays the inevitable.
Meanwhile, browser developers are already preparing for the post-Windows 10 landscape. Google Chrome—the world’s most popular browser—is reportedly now checking in the background whether a Windows 10 device meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11. This change is subtle and won’t block access to Chrome or affect performance. Instead, it’s meant to collect anonymous diagnostic data about device compatibility.
As reported by Windows Latest, the data will help Google assess how many Chrome users are running the browser on PCs that are not eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade. This insight will likely play a key role in Google’s future support decisions, such as how long it continues to deliver Chrome updates for Windows 10 and when it eventually phases out compatibility.
If a large portion of Chrome’s user base remains stuck on unsupported systems, Google may be forced to extend support. But if the numbers are low, the company might sunset Windows 10 support sooner, aligning with Microsoft’s own timetable. In any case, the move is another signal that users still on Windows 10 should start making plans—whether that means upgrading their hardware or exploring alternative operating systems.
