# Microsoft’s Ongoing Push for Windows 11: Full-Screen Notifications and Upgrade Motivation
As the timeline for Windows 10’s support lifecycle nears its conclusion, Microsoft is amplifying its initiatives to persuade users to transition to Windows 11. With the complimentary, guaranteed security updates for Windows 10 set to end in **October 2025**, the tech company has started dispatching **full-screen notifications** to users, encouraging them to think about upgrading their systems or acquiring new hardware. This latest series of alerts is part of a larger initiative that Microsoft has utilized over time to steer users toward more recent operating systems.
## The Full-Screen Notifications: What Do They Entail?
Recently, numerous Windows 10 users have reported receiving full-screen alerts that underscore the approaching end of support for the operating system. These notifications vary slightly based on the user’s system and settings. Some messages highlight the **gaming advantages** of Windows 11, while others emphasize the straightforwardness of transitioning to new PCs or the advantages of upgrading to more advanced hardware.
Notably, some notifications specifically advocate for upgrading to a **Copilot+ PC**, which enables additional AI functionalities not found on other Windows 11 machines. Nevertheless, not all messages mention this feature, and none of the communications explicitly refer to upgrading to Windows 11, even though many of the PCs receiving these notifications satisfy the system requirements for the newer OS.
### Target Audience: Who Do These Messages Target?
While the notifications are sent to a wide array of Windows 10 users, they seem particularly directed at those using older PCs that might not fulfill the official criteria for a Windows 11 upgrade. This continues Microsoft’s longstanding strategy of encouraging users to update their hardware in tandem with their software.
For users with supported PCs, the notifications act as a gentle prompt to move to Windows 11, which has been available as a complimentary upgrade for qualifying devices. However, for those with outdated, unsupported systems, the message is straightforward: **consider acquiring a new PC** to keep receiving security updates and fresh features.
## The Conclusion of Windows 10 Support: What Are the Implications?
Microsoft has clearly stated that **Windows 10’s complimentary security updates will cease in October 2025**. Post this date, users who persist with Windows 10 will stop receiving essential security patches, putting their systems at risk of potential cyber threats. This poses a significant worry for both businesses and individuals, as operating on an unsupported system can make users vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and other security issues.
### Extended Security Updates (ESU): A Stopgap Solution
For those who aren’t prepared to upgrade by the 2025 deadline, Microsoft provides a temporary solution in the form of **Extended Security Updates (ESU)**. This program allows users to purchase an additional year of security updates for a one-time cost of **$30 per PC**. However, this option is only accessible to **home users** for a single year, meaning that by **October 2026**, this extended support will also come to a halt.
For businesses, educational institutions, and other organizations, Microsoft offers up to **three years of ESUs**, but these extra years are not available to general consumers. This indicates that for most users, the clock is ticking, and transitioning to Windows 11 or acquiring a new PC will soon be the only practical options for maintaining security.
## Microsoft’s Legacy of Upgrade Notifications
This new series of full-screen notifications isn’t the first instance of Microsoft using this tactic to motivate users to upgrade. The company has a long-standing record of employing similar techniques:
– In **early 2023**, Microsoft dispatched full-screen Windows 11 upgrade alerts to Windows 10 users, reminding them of the advantages of the newer OS.
– In **2016**, during the concluding days of Windows 10’s free upgrade offer, Windows 7 and 8 users were shown full-screen notifications encouraging them to upgrade prior to the expiration of the offer.
– In **2014**, Windows XP users received pop-up alerts warning them of the imminent end of support for the aging OS.
– In **2019**, Windows 7 users were also given reminders as the deadline for that OS’s support loomed.
These notifications have consistently formed a part of Microsoft’s approach to ensure that users are informed about the dangers related to remaining on unsupported operating systems and to motivate them to take action before it’s too late.
## Alternatives to Upgrading: What Are Your Choices?
For users who are not ready to upgrade to Windows 11 or purchase a new PC, there are a few alternative options to think about:
1. **Extended Security Updates (ESU)**: As previously mentioned, home users can purchase one additional year of security updates for Windows 10, while businesses can extend support for up to three years.
2. **Upgrading to Windows 11 on Unsupported PCs**: While Microsoft officially recommends upgrading to Windows 11 only on supported hardware, it is feasible to install
