News13 Segment – Backup, Patchup or Upgrade? Windows 10 Support Ending
This week’s Talking Tech Segment on KMSB Fox 11 News 13 tackles the looming October 14th deadline when Microsoft officially ends free security updates for Windows 10. While Windows 11 is the clear upgrade path, not everyone has the hardware — or the desire — to switch. Microsoft is offering two “carrots” for those staying behind: sign up for their Extended Security Update program and allow backups to OneDrive to get one free year of patches, or pay $30 per device annually for continued security support. Both come with caveats, including limited storage and ongoing costs.
Andy stresses the most important step before any upgrade or patch: make a backup. Whether it’s with a StarTech docking station and a new drive, or trusted software like Acronis and EaseUS, protecting your data is key. Flash drives can also play a big role — not just for backups, but for creating bootable Windows 11 installers. With the free Rufus tool, users can build a customized installer that bypasses TPM 2.0, skips secure boot, and even sets up a local account. This makes upgrading older hardware possible without losing programs through an in-place update.
For anyone hesitant about moving forward, Andy points to a helpful ZDNet article by Ed Bott that outlines how Rufus simplifies the upgrade process. The bottom line: if you plan to stay on Windows 10 past October 14th, be prepared with backups and a plan — whether that’s paid support, cloud backups, or a careful jump to Windows 11.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more Videos and The Full TechtalkRadio Show
You must be logged in to post a comment.