On October 14, 2025, Microsoft officially ended all support for Windows 10. That means no more security patches, no more bug fixes, and no more technical assistance from Microsoft—ever. If your Tulsa PC is still running Windows 10 today, it is operating on an unpatched operating system that is increasingly attractive to hackers and malware authors. This is not a distant deadline. It has already passed.

At Xpress Computer Solutions, we have been fielding calls from Tulsa residents and small businesses who either did not know about the deadline or have been putting off the upgrade. If that sounds like you, here is everything you need to understand and act on right now.

What "End of Support" Actually Means

End of support does not mean your computer will stop working tomorrow. Windows 10 will continue to boot and run your programs just as it always has. What changes is that Microsoft will no longer release any security updates for the operating system. Every vulnerability discovered after October 14, 2025—and new ones are found every week—will remain unpatched and permanently exploitable on any Windows 10 machine.

Think of it like a building that is no longer maintained. The doors still open and the lights still work, but the locks are broken and nobody is coming to fix them. Cybercriminals know exactly which systems are unsupported, and they specifically develop exploits for them because the attacks will never be defended against. For Tulsa businesses handling customer information, financial records, or any sensitive data, running Windows 10 at this point may also create compliance exposure depending on your industry.

How to Check Which Version of Windows You Are Running

If you are not sure whether your computer is on Windows 10 or Windows 11, here is the fastest way to check:

• Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
• Type winver and press Enter.
• A window will appear showing your exact Windows version.

If it says Windows 10, you need to take action. If it says Windows 11, you are on a supported operating system and should simply make sure automatic updates are enabled so you stay current.

Can Your PC Upgrade to Windows 11?

Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, and not every machine can make the jump. The key requirements Microsoft enforces include a 64-bit processor from a supported manufacturer (Intel 8th generation or newer, AMD Zen 2 or newer), at least 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and—critically—TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module version 2.0) enabled in your system firmware.

The TPM 2.0 requirement trips up many older Tulsa PCs, especially machines bought before 2017. Some computers have TPM 2.0 chips installed but with the feature disabled in BIOS, meaning a firmware change is all that is needed. Others simply do not have the chip at all and cannot be upgraded regardless of other specs.

Microsoft provides a free tool called PC Health Check that scans your machine and tells you definitively whether it is eligible for Windows 11. Download it from Microsoft's official website, run the check, and you will have a clear answer within seconds.

Your Options If Your PC Cannot Upgrade

If your hardware does not meet the Windows 11 requirements, you have several paths forward:

• Replace the computer: For machines more than five or six years old, replacement is often the most cost-effective long-term decision. Modern hardware is faster, more reliable, and comes with Windows 11 pre-installed. Our team offers complete new computer setup services including data transfer from your old machine so nothing is lost in the transition.
• Custom PC build: If you have specific performance needs or want to maximize your budget, a custom-built PC is often a better value than a pre-built retail system and can be configured to exactly what your home or business requires.
• Consider a Linux alternative: For basic use cases like web browsing, email, and document editing, a lightweight Linux distribution can give unsupported hardware a new lease on life with a fully maintained operating system. This is a niche option but worth discussing if replacement is not immediately feasible.
• Extended Security Updates (ESU): Microsoft offers paid Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 through October 2028 for businesses that cannot migrate immediately. This is a stopgap, not a permanent solution, but it is worth knowing exists if your organization needs transition time.

What to Do Before You Upgrade or Replace

Whether you are upgrading your current machine to Windows 11 or moving to a new PC entirely, the single most important thing to do first is back up all of your data. An upgrade can occasionally go wrong, and hardware failures become more common as machines age. A complete backup means none of your documents, photos, or other files can be permanently lost.

Our data backup services can create a full, secure copy of your system before any migration work begins. We recommend both a local backup on an external drive and an off-site or cloud backup for maximum protection. If you are a business in Tulsa with mission-critical files, do not skip this step.

You should also take stock of any specialized software you rely on. Most mainstream applications have been updated for Windows 11 compatibility, but older or industry-specific programs may require updates or replacements. We can audit your installed software and identify any compatibility concerns before the migration begins, saving you headaches after the fact.

Protect Your Machine While You Plan

If you are still on Windows 10 and cannot upgrade immediately, take these steps right now to reduce your exposure:

• Install and maintain reputable antivirus software and keep its definitions up to date. While antivirus cannot substitute for OS-level patches, it adds a meaningful layer of defense.
• Stop using Internet Explorer and Edge Legacy. Use a modern, actively maintained browser like current Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Firefox.
• Be extremely cautious about email attachments and downloads. With no OS patches coming, phishing attacks and drive-by malware installs are far more dangerous.
• Do not store sensitive data on an unpatched machine if you can avoid it.

If you suspect your Windows 10 machine has already been compromised, our malware removal service can clean and secure your system, and we can help you plan the path to a supported operating system from there.

Xpress Computer Solutions Can Handle the Whole Process

You do not have to figure any of this out alone. Xpress Computer Solutions has been helping Tulsa residents and businesses navigate exactly these kinds of technology transitions since 2005. Whether you need us to check your hardware compatibility, perform the Windows 11 upgrade, set up a brand-new machine, transfer your data, or simply advise you on what makes the most sense for your budget, we are here to help.

We also offer ongoing home IT management and business IT management plans so you never have to worry about missing another critical deadline like this one. Our clients with managed plans were notified about the Windows 10 end-of-life deadline months in advance and migrated without incident.

"Running Windows 10 right now is like driving a car with no airbags after the manufacturer stopped making replacement parts. It might seem fine until it isn't, and by then the damage is done. The longer you wait to upgrade, the more risk you are accepting every single day."

Give us a call or schedule a service appointment online. We will assess your current setup, explain your options clearly, and get you onto a supported, secure operating system as quickly and affordably as possible. Tulsa users have been trusting us with their computers for over two decades, and we take that responsibility seriously.