Why Microsoft Says You Need To Upgrade to Windows 11

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates, security fixes, or technical support for Windows 10. While Windows 10 will still function, it will become more vulnerable to security threats and may experience instability due to a lack of updates.

Microsoft’s campaign urging some 240 million PC owners to recycle their devices or send them to a landfill continues. The company has already told those users they do not get its free Windows 11 upgrade and is now emphasizing why the new hardware so many must buy is absolutely critical to staying safe.

Following Microsoft’s suggestion that users “dump their PC and get a new one with Windows 11,” the company is now explaining why that is and how it helps make Windows 11 a better OS than Windows 10.

The difference is TPM 2.0, the hardware security chip that is the dividing line between PCs that can upgrade to Windows 11 and PCs that can’t. The Trusted Platform Module (TPM), is a specialized chip built into your computer’s hardware. It’s designed to protect sensitive data by ensuring only trusted software runs on your computer.”

TPM 2.0 is not just a chip, Microsoft says, “it’s your device’s first line of defense against the ever-evolving world of cyber threats.”

Here are four security related bullets to explain Windows 11’s security benefits:

Protects your data:
TPM can encrypt your data, making it difficult for hackers to access sensitive information. This is especially critical for things like personal details, financial data, and confidential files.

Ensures trusted software:
TPM verifies the integrity of your system’s software and firmware. This feature, called secure boot, helps stop malicious software from launching during startup.

Guards against physical tampering:
If someone tries to physically tamper with your device’s hardware, TPM can detect changes and prevent your system from booting, keeping your device secure from physical attacks.

Supports advanced security features:
Many of Windows 11’s most powerful security features rely on TPM. These tools help keep your data safe, even if your device is lost or stolen.”

Microsoft has a fast-approaching problem as it tries to convince Windows 10 users that TPM 2.0 is worth the upgrade. There is a hard line between the PCs that can and can’t upgrade based on the TPM 2.0 chip. With current workarounds being shut down and Microsoft being clear that ineligible PCs should be replaced or retired.

Windows 11 now has almost the same market share as Windows 10, and the numbers of those switching is accelerating. The current estimate of the number of ineligible PCs is 240 million — but there are concerns that there could be even more. That will leave hundreds of millions of PCs exposed to the cyber threats that hit Windows PCs constantly. That’s just bad news for everyone.