Final Fantasy 14 Players Advised to Upgrade OS as Windows 10 Support Nears End

As the October 2025 deadline for Microsoft's cessation of Windows 10 support approaches, Square Enix is prompting its Final Fantasy 14 community to consider upgrading their operating systems. The game publisher emphasizes that maintaining compatibility with an unsupported OS will become increasingly challenging and could expose players to elevated security vulnerabilities. This proactive communication aims to prepare the player base for future operational changes.

The official announcement from Square Enix's Lodestone details the impending shift, stating that post-October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates for Windows 10. Consequently, continued official support for Final Fantasy 14 on this platform presents a significant hurdle. Although the game might still operate on Windows 10, Square Enix has clarified that technical assistance for issues stemming from the outdated operating system will be severely curtailed and offered only on a case-by-case, informal basis, without any guarantees.

This advisory underscores a broader industry trend, as many software developers and game studios are expected to follow Microsoft's lead in prioritizing newer, more secure operating environments. The transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 has been gradual, with a recent Steam hardware survey indicating that a substantial portion of PC gamers, around 35%, still utilize Windows 10. This demographic includes individuals who may face hardware limitations preventing an upgrade to Windows 11, such as older graphics cards.

For those resistant to upgrading, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which provides an additional year of Windows 10 security patches for a fee. However, this is merely a temporary solution, and users will eventually need to move to a more current version of Windows to ensure optimal performance and security for their systems and applications, including online games like Final Fantasy 14.

The move by Square Enix is a clear signal to its player base about the importance of keeping their systems current. While some users may find the transition cumbersome, the benefits of enhanced security and continued compatibility with future game updates and applications make the upgrade an increasingly necessary step. The shift reflects an evolving technological landscape where ongoing updates and security measures are paramount for a seamless gaming experience.