微软将于2025年10月停止为Windows 10提供免费的安全和性能更新，这意味着用户将需要付费才能获得后续支持。这促使许多用户考虑升级到Windows 11，但微软却在旧硬件上安装Windows 11时添加了水印警告，并指出这些设备不符合最低系统要求，可能导致兼容性问题，甚至无法获得更新和支持。这意味着，对于使用旧电脑的用户来说，要么购买新电脑升级到Windows 11，要么继续使用不受支持的Windows 10并支付更新费用，免费升级Windows 11的途径被堵死。微软尚未公布Windows 10付费支持的具体价格方案。

🤔 **Windows 10 免费更新将于2025年10月结束：**微软宣布从2025年10月起停止为Windows 10提供免费的安全和性能更新，用户需付费才能获得后续支持。

⚠️ **旧硬件安装Windows 11 会出现水印警告：**在旧设备上安装Windows 11 会出现水印提醒用户该设备不符合最低系统要求，可能导致兼容性问题和更新问题。

🚫 **微软不推荐在不符合要求的设备上安装Windows 11：**微软明确表示，在不符合最低系统要求的设备上安装Windows 11 不被推荐，可能会导致兼容性问题，并且设备将不再获得支持和更新。

💸 **用户面临升级或付费的选择：**由于Windows 10 免费更新结束，用户要么购买新电脑并升级到Windows 11，要么继续使用旧电脑并为Windows 10 的支持付费。

❓ **Windows 10 付费支持价格尚未公布：**微软尚未公布Windows 10 付费支持服务的具体价格方案。

If you're still running Windows 10 on your PC, you're probably quite used to Microsoft's reminders that you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free by now. For a multitude of reasons, Windows 10 remains the most popular operating system even though Windows 11 was released in 2021.

However, time is ticking for those holding on to Windows 10. A few months ago, Microsoft announced that free security and performance updates for Windows 10 will be coming to an end in October 2025. While you'll still be able to use Windows 10, you'll have to pay for updates and support. 

For most PC users, this will likely be the biggest reason to finally give in and upgrade to Windows 11.

But, wait! Adopting Windows 11 might not be the end of upgrading for you. In fact, Microsoft may want you to even purchase a whole new computer.

Microsoft's Windows 11 watermark warning

Multiple outlets have recently noticed that upgrading to Windows 11 on older, unsupported hardware has resulted in a watermark displaying on the user's desktop notifying them of the situation.

According to Microsoft's support page, "when Windows 11 is installed on a device that doesn't meet the minimum system requirements, a watermark is added to the Windows 11 desktop."

Microsoft has also added a disclaimer to its support page that reads:

This PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements for running Windows 11 - these requirements help ensure a more reliable and higher quality experience. Installing Windows 11 on this PC is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates. Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren't covered under the manufacturer warranty. By selecting Accept, you are acknowledging that you read and understand this statement.

Microsoft also provides users with a guide on reverting back to Windows 10 if your PC doesn't meet those minimum requirements. However, with the recently announced sunsetting of free support for Windows 10, this doesn't seem like such a good long-term option anymore.

So, in a little less than a year from now, PC owners with older computers will be left with a choice: Buy a new computer and upgrade to Windows 11 or keep your old computer and stick with an unsupported operating system – unless of course you decide to pay for Windows 10 support. Basically, there's no free upgrade to Windows 11 for older PC users. You'll likely have to pay up one way or another.

Microsoft has yet to announce any pricing model for those who'd like to hold on to Windows 10.