Windows End of Support: Lessons from Windows 7, and How to Wipe Before You Upgrade
RedKey USBShare
Windows 7 reached the end of its support on 14 January 2020. Windows 10 followed on 14 October 2025, and the one-year Extended Security Updates option for home users ran until 13 October 2026. If you are still running Windows 10 without a paid business arrangement, your computer is now in the same position Windows 7 machines were in six years ago.
The lessons from that earlier deadline are worth repeating, along with one step people often skip when they finally upgrade: dealing with the old installation and the data on it.
What does end of support actually mean?
The computer keeps working, but it stops receiving security fixes. Every weakness found after the cut-off stays open for good, and attackers know which systems are left exposed.
The WannaCry ransomware outbreak of 2017 showed what that means in practice. It spread through a Windows networking flaw, hit unpatched computers worldwide, including in the NHS, and was serious enough that Microsoft issued emergency fixes for systems it no longer supported.
What else stops working over time?
Security software, applications and drivers drift away. Antivirus vendors drop old versions, browsers and office software stop updating, and new printers and graphics cards stop shipping drivers.
Windows 7 users saw this happen gradually over several years. Windows 10 users should expect the same. An unsupported computer should not be used for online banking, email or anything sensitive.
What are my options for an old Windows PC?
Upgrade to Windows 11 if the hardware qualifies, switch to a supported Linux distribution, replace the computer and pass the old one on, or keep it offline for a single job.
- Windows 11: check compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check. It needs TPM 2.0 and a supported processor, which rules out many PCs made before about 2018.
- Linux: friendly distributions run well on older hardware and remain supported.
- Replace: sell, donate or recycle the old machine once it has been wiped.
- Keep offline: use it for legacy software or older games, disconnected from the internet. Our guide to what to do with an old computer has more ideas.
Should I upgrade in place or start clean?
A clean installation on an erased drive is usually faster, more stable and more secure than an in-place upgrade, which carries over years of software, settings and hidden problems. Moving from Windows 7 to anything current needs a clean install anyway.
How do I wipe an old Windows PC before upgrading or moving on?
Back up your files, then erase the whole drive before installing the new system or handing the computer over. Deleting files or reformatting leaves data recoverable.
- Back up documents, photos, bookmarks, email archives and licence keys, and check the copy opens on another device.
- If you are keeping the PC, erase the drive so nothing from the old installation carries over.
- If the PC is leaving, a full erase is essential. Our decision guide for sellers explains why.
- Install the new operating system from official media or your chosen Linux installer, then restore your files.
Windows 7 has no modern drive cleaning reset at all, and older Windows 10 machines can be painfully slow to run one. A bootable erasure tool avoids both problems. If the computer has an SSD, make sure the tool supports it.
How does RedKey USB help with an end-of-support PC?
RedKey USB Home starts the computer from USB and erases its disks, including the system disk, regardless of which Windows version is installed. It works on most Intel and AMD PCs from around 2000 onwards and supports hard drives, SATA SSDs and NVMe SSDs.
The result is shown on screen when the erase finishes, and the drive is then ready for Windows 11, Linux or a new owner. RedKey is a one-time purchase with lifetime updates, so it is still useful when the next deadline comes round.
What are the lessons for every operating system?
Know your end-of-support date, plan the upgrade or replacement before it arrives, and wipe rather than delete whenever a computer is upgraded, sold or recycled.
Microsoft, Apple and Linux distributions all publish support timelines in advance. Putting the date in your calendar a year ahead turns a scramble into a routine job.
Frequently asked questions
When did Windows 10 support end?
Support ended on 14 October 2025. The consumer Extended Security Updates programme ran for one more year, to 13 October 2026.
Is it safe to keep using Windows 10?
Without security updates it becomes steadily riskier. Avoid using it for banking, email or other sensitive tasks.
Do I need to wipe my PC before installing Windows 11?
A clean install on an erased drive is usually the better option, and a full erase is essential if the PC is leaving your hands.
Ready to erase your own devices? See RedKey USB Home. Related reading: How to Erase Old Laptops the Right Way and Disk Wiping vs Factory Reset for Secure Disposal.