Over 32 million computers in Germany continue to run the outdated Windows 10 operating system, posing significant cybersecurity risks as the end of support approaches on October 14, 2025. This accounts for approximately 65 percent of all devices in German households.
Over 32 million German computers risk cyberattacks with Windows 10
ESET security expert Thorsten Urbanski emphasizes the urgency, stating, “It is five to midnight to avoid a security fiasco for 2025.” He advises users to transition to Windows 11 or consider alternative operating systems like Linux immediately, rather than waiting until the deadline. Failure to upgrade exposes users to severe security risks, including cyberattacks and potential data loss.
Currently, Windows 11 is installed on about 33 percent of German computers, equating to roughly 16.5 million devices. Additionally, over one million devices still operate on even older systems such as Windows 8.1, 8, 7, or Windows XP, further increasing the vulnerability landscape.
The cessation of free security updates for Windows 10 means that any new vulnerabilities discovered after the end of support will remain unpatched, leaving systems at risk of malware and cyberattacks. “Cybercriminals know these numbers very well and are just waiting for the day when support ends,” Urbanski stated. This situation is deemed more dangerous than the support termination of Windows 7, where only around 20 percent were still using the OS at the end of 2019, compared to today’s more substantial proportion still relying on Windows 10.
Windows 11 24H2 is here but do not update yet!
Costs associated with extended support
While Microsoft has announced that extended security updates will be available for Windows 10, the associated costs are significant. Businesses can opt for extended support at escalating prices over three years, starting at $61 for the first year, increasing to $122 for the second year, and reaching $244 in the third year. This totals $427 for three years of extended support on a single Windows 10 device.
For personal use, Microsoft offers a one-year ESU option at $30 per device, which can become expensive in multi-device households. Continued usage of unsupported systems poses not only cybersecurity threats such as increased susceptibility to breaches but also risks associated with compliance violations concerning data protection regulations, potentially leading to fines and reputational damage.
ESET experts recommend proactive measures for users, including immediate upgrades to Windows 11 or Linux, enabling automatic updates for all software, utilizing modern security software with exploit blockers, minimizing administrative privileges in daily use, and maintaining regular backups of critical data on secure storage solutions.
Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Midjourney
