The end of an era for Windows 10 is getting closer. Microsoft has already marked October 14, 2025, as the final day of support for the operating system. While there are some options to extend its life, like a free one-year extension through Windows Backup or paid yearly support programs, the industry is clearly moving on. We are now starting to see how software, game, and driver companies are planning for a Windows 10-less future.
NVIDIA is one of the first major players to show its cards. The graphics card giant announced it will stop releasing drivers for Windows 10 in October 2026. This means that even if you own a piece of NVIDIA hardware that is still officially supported, it will no longer get new driver updates or support for new devices on Windows 10 after that date.
For those sticking with Windows 10, your current setup will not just stop working. You will still be able to use your computer and even download and reinstall existing drivers after the October 2026 cutoff. However, your drivers will be frozen in time. You will not receive any more security patches or performance-boosting features. And any new NVIDIA hardware released after that date simply will not have a driver for Windows 10.
Older Cards Face an Earlier Sunset
Some older graphics cards are on an even shorter timeline. NVIDIA’s announcement also confirmed that products using the Pascal, Maxwell, and Volta architectures are being phased out. This group includes popular cards like the GeForce GTX 700 series, GTX 900 series, and GTX 1000 series, as well as the Titan V. These models will receive their very last feature update in the fall of 2025.
This is not the first time NVIDIA has made a move like this. The company has a history of ending support for older operating systems to keep up with technology. Back in 2021, NVIDIA followed a similar policy when it stopped releasing new drivers and software for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. (Source)
The Push to Windows 11
The writing is on the wall: the industry wants users to move to Windows 11. For many, this is a straightforward upgrade. But some people run into trouble even if their computer meets the minimum specifications. If you are struggling to install the new OS, a common fix is to check your system’s BIOS to make sure both TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled.
Some users have also found ways to install Windows 11 on computers that do not meet the official hardware requirements. These workarounds include using a script called mediacreationtool.bat to upgrade directly over Windows 10. Others perform a fresh installation by using tools like Rufus or Ventoy, which can be configured to bypass the system checks. Another method involves manually editing the Windows Registry.
