Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- PCWorld reports that Windows 10 users face significantly higher security risks, with systems averaging 1,903 active vulnerabilities compared to Windows 11’s 652.
- Nearly 20% of US users still run Windows 10 despite Microsoft ending regular updates, leaving them reliant on limited security patches through the ESU program.
- The Lansweeper study reveals Windows 10 carries three times more security vulnerabilities than Windows 11, making upgrades essential for better protection.
According to a new study by Lansweeper, there’s an average of 1,903 active security vulnerabilities on PCs running Windows 10. In contrast, the average number of vulnerabilities on systems running Windows 11 is only 652—about one-third the total of Windows 10.
In other words, upgrading to Windows 11 would be the smart security decision if you have that option, reports Neowin. In the US, many users still haven’t made the switch, with about 19.28% of all Windows PCs still running on Windows 10, according to Statcounter as of June 2026.
As early as January 2025, security experts warned that you shouldn’t wait to upgrade to Windows 11. The risks have only grown in the 18 months since then, and Windows 10 is expected to become increasingly more vulnerable to various threats with every month that passes.
Since Microsoft no longer provides updates for Windows 10—only security patches via the Extended Security Updates program (which, incidentally, was extended by another year recently)—Windows 11 has officially replaced the previous operating system.
So if you decide to stick with Windows 10, at least sign up for the free ESU program, which will give you access to the latest Windows 10 security updates until October 12th, 2027.
Not everyone is a fan of Windows 11. Data privacy experts, for example, advise against switching to Windows 11 and recommended sticking with Windows 10 for as long as possible. This advice is primarily aimed at businesses and organizations, but also applies to home users.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC för Alla and was translated and localized from Swedish.