Last week, Microsoft quietly announced that it will extend support for Windows 10 through 2027, even though the operating system officially reached the end of support on October 14, 2025. Initially, the company had planned to offer just one additional year of updates under its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, but the new decision gives Windows 10 a longer lifeline.

However, critics and groups like The Restart Project, which helped co-develop the "End of 10" toolkit to support Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11, claimed that Microsoft's move to continue pushing security updates to Windows 10 beyond its end-of-support feels like a last-minute snooze button, which only acts as a band-aid on a bleeding system.

They argued that the move would force up to 400 million working PCs into early retirement, prompting many users to brand it as programmed obsolescence rather than anything else. It also seems like an outright, blatant attempt designed to make users transition to Windows 11.

However, if previous complaints lodged are anything to go by — Microsoft's stringent hardware requirements for the operating system, coupled with arguments of flawed design elements, including unnecessary AI and Copilot integrations, will only widen the digital divide, making the jump even harder.

Currently, users enrolled in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will continue receiving critical security patches for one additional year, extending coverage beyond the original end-of-support date of October 14, 2025, through October 14, 2026.

Windows 10

As highlighted in the poll results, a clear majority of participants (68%) indicated they plan to continue running Windows 10 on their devices following Microsoft’s support extension. Interestingly, 19% of respondents said they have already upgraded to Windows 11, highlighting a smaller but notable shift toward the newer operating system.

Granted, only 321 people voted, so we need to take the results with a pinch of salt.

If you are still running Windows 10 on your PC, you can take advantage of the extended lifeline by enrolling in the ESU program for free by signing in with a Microsoft account, or pay for access via 1,000 Microsoft reward points or $30.

Last week, I wrote an article attempting to capture the overall sentiment from the community and tech enthusiasts following Microsoft's decision to extend support for Windows 10 through 2027. It quickly became apparent to me that many people are still running Windows 10 on their devices, with some outrightly calling for Microsoft to extend Windows 10's shelf life to 2028 because 2027 won't cut it.

The conversation about alternative operating systems like Linux also popped up. According to an avid Windows Central reader:

"Linux has gotten way better, and perhaps with some install help it does everything the common folks want to do (read: not gamers or others reliant on some very specific tailored app).

The way Microsoft has been talking about their future makes every conscious consumer know this is only the beginning, and regular os subscription payments, more surveillance etc is coming.

I might buy win 11 based pc in the future when the current one stops working, but I already know it will run Linux just fine, so MS has opened Pandora's box.

Though frankly I'm surprised MS cares so much. corporate world has been their sole focus for over a decade, and they still have a good stranglehold there. ofc one piece of wisdom might be that if people use Linux at home, eventually they'll start asking why we are using MS products at work. We are used to Linux and more competent with apps there."

"What they are admitting is that they are afraid of letting part the 25% Windows base go for Linux or worse, to become botnets for cybercrime after they get infected for lack of security patches, creating havoc," another reader added.

Some users came up with interesting ideas, painting a picture where Microsoft continues to support Windows 10 and Windows 11 simultaneously.

While it seems inevitable for users to eventually upgrade to Windows 11, the current RAM crisis due to AI's heavy appetite for computing power isn't making the jump any easier, as hardware prices are steadily increasing and becoming unaffordable for most people. According to another Windows Central reader:

"That people don't have the money to upgrade at today's prices.

Let's not make too much of this: MS OSes have always run a bit ahead of entry level hardware and conversely, people have always stayed with trailing edge software longer than safe. There are probably still people running Windows XP out there.

The security rationale of W11 over W10 can be debated but in the end, everybody will have to upgrade the hardware...

...when they can afford it. At least MS is being understanding that it's not just parsimony holding people back."

That said, it will be interesting to see if Microsoft will continue to hold its massive dominance in the desktop landscape with Windows.

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On October 14, 2025, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10, despite widespread pleas from millions of users still relying on the operating system. The move risked leaving nearly 400 million PCs without updates, effectively rendering them obsolete. However, Microsoft ultimately extended Windows 10’s lifespan through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, giving users continued access to critical patches beyond the end-of-support date.

The Restart Project group, which helped co-develop the "End of 10" toolkit to support Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11, claimed that Microsoft's move to continue pushing security updates to Windows 10 beyond its end-of-support feels like a last-minute snooze button, which only acts as a band-aid on a bleeding system.

It's no secret that Microsoft has been pushing users to upgrade to Windows 11, but soaring RAM prices have driven hardware costs sky-high, making the transition even more difficult. This is on top of the operating system's strict hardware requirements and arguments of flawed design elements.

In France, critics even staged a symbolic “funeral” for Windows 10, protesting Microsoft’s push toward Windows 11 and what they see as planned obsolescence. Yet, as recent developments suggest, the company may finally be listening.

Microsoft quietly extended Windows 10's ESU program by another year. As a result, users enrolled in the program will continue receiving support until October 14, 2027. The extension is free for those who sign in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account, ensuring critical updates remain available beyond the original cutoff.

What does the community think about Windows 10's extended lifeline?

"People might start switching to Linux and using open source software for replacements if this RAM/storage issue doesn't get resolved in the next year," a Windows Central reader indicated.

Groups like End of 10 have been pushing users to transition to Linux following Windows 10's end-of-life. The campaign encourages steadfast Windows 10 users to ditch the Windows ecosystem entirely and switch to a version of Linux on any outdated devices, using a lack of ads and telemetry tracking as the key selling points to get users to switch camps.

"I said a year ago that this was going to happen, and I'll say it again, it's going to happen next year too," another reader added. "Windows 10 will be supported till October 2028. This has nothing to do with prices. This was planned since the beginning. But like last year, Microsoft did not say until late this was happening for free, so that people did not plan accordingly and as many as possible move to 11. Same this time. Same next year."

"Windows 10 to Windows 11 is like when you need new running shoes, but Nike discontinued the kind you’ve been buying new versions of for years, and the other kinds are fine but don’t measure up," another user commented in the r/technology subreddit on Reddit. "So you’re like “f*** it, I’ll just wear these until they fall apart.”

For context, a recent HP survey found that 3 out of 10 HP PCs are still running Windows 10. This was a slight decrease from September 2025, when HP and Dell indicated that up to 50% of PCs were still running on the operating system, prompting the PC makers to suggest that users won't upgrade to Windows 11 overnight, and the process could even roll over into 2026.

Some even claimed that Microsoft's decision to extend Windows 10's support beyond 2026 is an outright admission that it's better than Windows 11. "So are they finally admitting that Windows 11 isn't good enough almost 5 years later?"

To that end, it remains unclear how Microsoft extending support for Windows 10 via its ESU program to 2027 will impact Windows 11's market share. The operating system had just started gaining some momentum and even surpassed Windows 10 as the most dominant desktop operating system in the world in July, 2025.

In the interim, you can take advantage of Microsoft's extended support for Windows 10 by enrolling in the ESU program for free by signing in with a Microsoft account, or pay for access via 1,000 Microsoft reward points or $30.

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Microsoft plans to begin the Windows 11 July 2026 Security Update on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. In this seventh month of the year, the company is rolling out several new features and improvements for existing features. In addition, this update is expected to deliver a number of bug fixes.

In this new quality update, Microsoft will be introducing brand new features, including the Point-in-time Restore recovery feature and the Screen tint accessibility feature.

This release also introduces the new Windows Update changes that allow users to pause updates indefinitely. The Widgets feature receives a few changes to make the experience quieter and less distracting.

Furthermore, in this release, users will also find changes to the Windows Magnifier, a new default for installing printers using Windows Ready Print support, as well as improvements to the Settings app, File Explorer, Bluetooth, network virtualization, touchpad, and much more.

In this guide, I'll highlight the most significant changes in the July 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, since both are identical.

Windows 11's new features arriving in July

As per usual, the company uses the Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology to roll out new improvements gradually, so it may take some time before you see them.

Point-in-time Restore recovery feature

Starting with the July 2026 Security Update, Microsoft is introducing Point-in-time Restore, a new recovery feature designed to quickly roll back a system to a previous good working state.

The feature works automatically and creates restore points that include settings, files, and apps using the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS), allowing you to recover your computer when an issue arises.

Point-in-time Restore comes enabled by default in the Home and Pro editions of the operating system. However, the system must have at least 200GB of storage.

You can always control the feature in Settings > System > Recovery by using the "View or edit" button. On the page, you can turn the recovery feature on or off, configure the restore point frequency and retention, and decide how much storage the feature uses.

At the bottom, the feature will also notice the most recent restore points.

If something is working correctly, you can always access the feature from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), and from the "Point-in-time Restore" page, select the restore point to recover your device.

Screen tint accessibility feature

In this update, the company is also rolling out Screen tint. This accessibility feature applies an overlay color on the screen designed to reduce eye strain and improve viewing comfort.

The feature is available in Settings > Accessibility > Screen tint. Once enabled, you can choose from one of the six preset color overlays or create a custom color.

In addition, there is a slider to control the overlay strength.

While the Screen tint feature seems similar to the Night Light feature, they are different, and they can work alongside each other. However, this feature automatically turns off Color filters and vice versa.

Windows Update new controls

Windows Update is getting a major upgrade. In this release, Microsoft is adding the ability to pause updates indefinitely, which seems to be the closest we'll get to completely turning off automatic updates.

As part of the changes, the "Pause updates" option now includes a calendar view that lets you pause automatic updates for up to 35 days. However, you can re-pause updates as many times as you want.

The only caveat is that if you want to postpone updates for more than 35 days, you'll need to manually pause them again. Otherwise, the system will download and install updates automatically as soon as the scheduled expiration expires.

Widgets with less distracting defaults

The company is trying to make the experience quieter and less distracting.

Widgets now open directly to the dashboard on first use, with hover activation disabled and notifications and Taskbar badges minimized by default.

The experience also offers more control over notifications and personalization settings, allowing users to customize Widgets from the Settings menu.

The dashboard icons can display the number of alerts, while badges clear automatically after leaving the dashboard. Microsoft notes that some settings will continue to adapt based on usage patterns to help limit interruptions.

This update also includes improvements to reliability, responsiveness, and overall visual quality across the Widgets experience.

Windows Magnifier improvements

In a continued effort to improve accessibility features, the software giant is also updating the Magnifier with more granular controls, allowing you to enter exact percentage values rather than having to use the zoom buttons to increase or decrease the zoom level.

Also, in the settings flyout, the zoom adjustment now allows users to set increments up to 400 percent.

Printer default changes

Starting with the quality update for July 2026, the operating system will install printers by default using the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), provided the device is supported.

If you prefer to revert this configuration, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, and turn off the "Default install printer using Windows Ready Print" option.

Location settings improvements

Microsoft is making location settings easier to understand in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location.

When location services are turned off, options such as "Default location" and "Allow location override" no longer appear active, since apps and services cannot access location data.

As a result, these settings will now be greyed out until location services are enabled, helping clarify when the options are available and reducing confusion.

File Explorer improvements

After installing this quality update, you'll notice that File Explorer will launch faster thanks to new speed improvements.

Also, on the Home page, when hovering over files, users who are logged in with a work or school account should now see options like "Open file location" and "Ask Copilot."

In addition, the address bar now supports paths with double backslashes and quotation marks, making it easier to paste or type folder paths from different sources.

Continuing with the improvements to the address bar, the experience now closes more reliably after selecting an option. Finally, File Explorer improves its ability to rename files.

Bluetooth changes

Microsoft is rolling out a series of Bluetooth improvements focused on reliability, compatibility, and audio performance.

For example, Windows 11 now keeps the microphone mute status synchronized between the system audio controls and Bluetooth headphones that include dedicated mute buttons or indicators, providing a more consistent experience during calls.

The update also improves compatibility with certain audio accessories. For instance, AirPods should enter pairing mode faster, and Beats Studio Pro headphones should offer more reliable microphone performance.

Voice calls on devices that support the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) should be more reliable. LE Audio accessories can begin playing audio faster while the microphone is active, and Windows 11 stability has been improved for some systems affected by Bluetooth-related driver issues.

The operating system will no longer incorrectly display a "Remove failed" message when a Bluetooth device cannot be removed because the Bluetooth radio is unavailable or has changed since the device was paired.

In addition, the "Bluetooth & devices" settings page has been updated to provide a more stable and consistent experience.

Connection reliability has also been enhanced. Classic Bluetooth audio devices can reconnect more quickly after a computer resumes from hibernation. At the same time, LE Audio accessories should maintain more reliable connections when switching between devices and recover more smoothly from temporary disconnections.

Phone Link improvements

Microsoft is improving how phone calls are handled between Windows 11 and a connected smartphone through Phone Link.

When you place a call from your paired phone, the audio will stay on the phone while it rings, then switch to the computer only after you answer the call on Windows 11.

This change helps prevent audio from switching between devices unexpectedly before the call connects.

The update also improves the "Do Not Disturb" experience. When Do Not Disturb is enabled, incoming calls from a connected phone will no longer ring through the computer, reducing interruptions while you're working.

Voice Typing and Voice Access

As you speak, Voice Typing and Voice Access can now refine the text in real time. In addition, the feature improves its capability to adapt to background noise. However, this is only available for Copilot+ PCs.

Furthermore, Voice Access and Voice Typing are now available in German, Spanish, and French.

Networking changes

The software giant is introducing several networking improvements focused on reliability, performance, and virtualization.

For virtualized environments, Confidential Virtual Machines (CVMs) now use SR-IOV hardware acceleration by default to improve network performance. At the same time, a networking configuration issue affecting nested Hyper-V setups has been fixed to ensure virtual machines are provisioned correctly.

The update also enhances the reliability of the networking stack. It reduces some Wi-Fi-related blue screen errors, improves cellular (WWAN) connectivity, and adds better support for IPv6-based VPN connections.

In addition, Microsoft has improved compatibility with certain third-party VPN solutions and server configurations that use SR-IOV networking. Network adapter settings and bindings are now also preserved during operating system upgrades, helping prevent networking configurations from being reset after an operating system update.

Touchpad changes

If you use a compatible touchpad, there's a touchpad customization option that lets you adjust the size of the bottom-right right-click area.

In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad, you can choose between "Default," "Small," "Medium," or "Large" to control how much of the touchpad responds to a one-finger right-click.

This feature is available only on devices with a pressable touchpad surface. If your computer manufacturer provides touchpad customization through its own software, the system will display a "Custom" option to reflect those settings.

Windows Central's Take

I find it interesting that one of the biggest additions in this update is a feature designed to help when Windows 11 breaks rather than when everything is working perfectly.

Microsoft has spent the last few years talking a lot about AI, Copilot, and new experiences, but Point-in-time Restore addresses a much more fundamental problem. Every user eventually runs into a bad update, problematic driver, or software conflict. When that happens, recovery tools suddenly become far more important than whatever new feature was added to the Start menu.

The Windows Update changes also stand out to me because they give users a little more breathing room. The software giant clearly isn't interested in letting people permanently turn off updates, but repeatedly extending the pause period feels like a practical compromise between security and user control.

As for the rest of the update, I see it as evidence that Microsoft is continuing to chip away at long-standing annoyances. Faster File Explorer performance, Bluetooth reliability improvements, and less intrusive Widgets aren't headline-grabbing changes. However, they're often the updates that have the biggest impact on how the system feels after months of daily use.

Which feature in the July 2026 update are you most looking forward to trying on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

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