Microsoft has officially announced that Windows 10 reaches End of Life on October 14, 2025. After this date, your Windows 10 PCs will continue to work, but they will no longer receive security updates. This is not a minor inconvenience - it is a significant security risk that every business needs to address.
What Does 'End of Life' Actually Mean?
When Microsoft ends support for an operating system, they stop releasing:
- Security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities
- Bug fixes for operating system issues
- Technical support from Microsoft
This means that any security vulnerability discovered after October 14, 2025, will simply never be patched on Windows 10. Hackers know this, and they actively target end-of-life systems because they know the holes will never be fixed.
The Cyber Essentials Problem
If your business holds Cyber Essentials certification, running unsupported software is an automatic fail. The certification requires all software to be 'in support' and receiving security updates. After October 2025, Windows 10 machines will need to be removed from scope or upgraded.
Your Three Options
Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11 (If Your Hardware Supports It)
Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10:
- TPM 2.0 chip (most PCs from 2018+ have this)
- Secure Boot capable UEFI firmware
- 4GB RAM minimum (8GB recommended)
- 64GB storage minimum
If your PCs are less than 5 years old, there's a good chance they're compatible. We can run a fleet assessment to check.
Option 2: Replace Hardware
If your PCs are 5+ years old, it's often more cost-effective to replace them entirely. New business-grade laptops come with:
- Windows 11 Pro pre-installed
- 5-year onsite warranty
- Modern security features (TPM, biometrics)
- Significantly better performance
See our Hardware Procurement service for Dell business devices at competitive prices.
Option 3: Extended Security Updates (ESU) - Not Recommended
Microsoft offers paid Extended Security Updates for businesses that cannot upgrade immediately. However:
- It costs approximately £50-60 per device per year
- The price doubles each year (Year 2: £100-120, Year 3: £200-240)
- It only provides security patches, not feature updates or support
- Maximum 3 years of ESU available
This should only be considered as a temporary bridge while planning upgrades, not a long-term solution.
Our Recommended Timeline
Now - August 2025:
- Audit your current Windows 10 fleet
- Identify which machines can upgrade vs. need replacement
- Budget for replacements
- Order new hardware (allow 2-4 weeks for delivery and setup)
September 2025:
- Begin rolling out Windows 11 upgrades and new hardware
- Migrate user data and applications
- Test line-of-business applications for compatibility
October 2025:
- Complete all upgrades before October 14
- Decommission or repurpose old Windows 10 machines
- Update your IT asset register
What We're Doing for Our Clients
As part of our Managed IT Support, we've already:
- Identified all Windows 10 machines in client environments
- Assessed hardware compatibility for Windows 11
- Provided upgrade/replace recommendations
- Scheduled deployment windows to minimise disruption
If you're not yet a client and need help planning your migration, contact us for a free Windows 10 audit.
Don't Be a 'Straggler'
Every major Windows end-of-life event creates 'stragglers' - businesses that ignore the deadline and keep running unsupported systems. These are prime targets for ransomware attacks.
The WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 devastated the NHS precisely because many trusts were still running Windows XP - an operating system that had been end-of-life for three years. Don't let your business be the next cautionary tale.
The clock is ticking. Start your upgrade planning today.