As of now, nearly 60% of users in India still rely on Windows 10, while only 40% have upgraded to Windows 11. If you’re one of the many still using Windows 10, there’s a critical update you should know: Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 in October 2025.
After that, there will be no security updates, bug fixes, or feature improvements. So the question is—what should you do next?
You have two options:
- Upgrade to Windows 11.
- Continue using Windows 10, but with precautions.
If you’re not ready to switch to Windows 11, this guide will help you prepare your Windows 10 system for long-term use safely and securely, even without official support.
🛑 Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only. Continuing to use an unsupported operating system may expose your system to security risks. Always back up your data and proceed at your own risk.
📌 Key Points to Understand
Once support ends, you won’t receive:
- Driver compatibility updates
- Fixes for critical bugs or system crashes
- Protection from newly discovered security vulnerabilities
Any issue you face post-support will have to be manually troubleshot. If things go wrong, such as a boot failure or a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death), your last resort will be reinstalling Windows 10 manually.
💡 Why Create a Bootable USB Drive Now?
There’s a high chance Microsoft may remove the Windows 10 ISO download option from their website after support ends. Without the ISO, you won’t be able to:
- Reinstall Windows 10
- Repair corrupted installations
- Troubleshoot major system issues
To avoid being locked out, create a bootable USB with Windows 10 ISO right now while it’s still available.
✅ How to Download Windows 10 ISO (Official Method with a Trick)
- Open Google Chrome on your PC.
- Go to the Microsoft official page:
👉 Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO) - If the ISO download is not directly visible:
- Right-click anywhere on the page > Click Inspect
- In the inspect panel, click the three-dot menu (⋮) > More Tools > Network Conditions
- Uncheck “Use browser default” under “User agent”
- Select “Chrome — Chrome OS” from the dropdown
- Now refresh the page (F5)
You’ll now see the Windows 10 ISO download option appear:
- Choose Windows 10 Multi-edition ISO
- Select your preferred language
- Choose either 64-bit or 32-bit
The ISO will start downloading (approx. 5.7 GB).
🛠 How to Create a Bootable USB Using Rufus
Once the ISO is downloaded, follow these steps:
- Download Rufus (a free utility to create bootable USB drives).
- Plug in a USB drive (minimum 8GB, empty or backed up).
- Launch Rufus:
- Your USB device will be auto-detected
- Click “Select” and choose the downloaded ISO
- Name the volume (e.g., Windows 10 Bootable USB)
- Click Start
⚠️ Warning: All data on the USB will be erased.
Once the process is complete, store this USB safely. It will be your recovery tool if you face issues after October 2025.
🔄 Alternatives to Extend Windows 10 Support
If you wish to stick with Windows 10 long-term, consider the following:
1. Microsoft Extended Security Updates (ESU)
Microsoft will offer paid extended support (ESU) for businesses and some users. Estimated cost: ~$30/year (subject to change). However, this may not be affordable for all.
2. Third-party Support Services
Some organizations provide unofficial extended security updates. Use with caution and research providers before proceeding.
3. Switch to Windows 10 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel)
Windows 10 LTSC or IoT Enterprise edition is designed for enterprise users and provides support up to 2032. Key benefits:
- Lightweight and debloated
- Excellent for performance and even light gaming
- No frequent feature updates
You may need to obtain it via enterprise channels or system integrators.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Windows 10 has been a reliable operating system, but as its end-of-life approaches, it’s important to be proactive. Whether you’re staying with Windows 10 or eventually switching to Windows 11, having a bootable USB and a recovery plan is essential.
Take action today—download the ISO and prepare your bootable USB drive before it’s too late.
🔖 Tags
Windows 10, Windows 10 End of Support, Windows 10 ISO Download, Create Bootable USB, Rufus, Windows 11 Upgrade, Windows 10 LTSC, Windows Extended Support, Microsoft Support End, Windows Recovery, ISO download trick
#Hashtags
#Windows10 #EndOfSupport #BootableUSB #RufusTool #Windows10ISO #WindowsHelp #TechGuide #MicrosoftSupport #Windows10LTSC #WindowsTips
