Introduction
As of October 2025, Windows 10 OS fell out of support. In this blog, we’ll look at what that means, the impact on your business, and your options if you’re still a Windows 10 user.
What does End of Life mean?
A product reaching End of Life essentially means that the supplier will no longer provide free feature updates and security patches. They do this to encourage people to upgrade to the most recent – and usually much better – version of the product. And, from a logistical point of view, it means they can focus their energy on maintaining their new systems and not continually upgrading old ones.
So, in the case of Windows 10, as of 14th October 2025, Microsoft no longer provide free updates for your Windows 10 PC. This includes software updates, but also security updates which are crucial for protecting your data and keeping your business secure.
How does this impact your business?
Using a product – in this case, your PC – after its End of Life may not seem like a big deal, but it can have a big impact. There are 3 main ways an outdated system affects your business.
Security: Without security patches, your systems are vulnerable to cyber threats.
Compliance: Running unsupported software often breaks industry regulations. This is especially important for Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus which require up to date and secure software. Additionally, business insurance is an issue with unsupported software – you’ll likely struggle to get insurance or will be charged a premium.
Performance: Outdated systems will slow down your PCs and your operations. That dip in productivity will have a bigger impact on your bottom line.
How do I upgrade?
So, you know you need to upgrade; what are your options? The first step is to do an audit of what you currently have. You need to understand what machines you have running Windows 10, then you’ll know the scale of your upgrade project.
Once you know this, you have two options…
Option #1 Upgrade to Windows 11
If your PCs have plenty of life left and are compatible, you can upgrade to Windows 11 free of charge. If you’re unsure whether your PC meets the requirements, then please get in touch and we can find out for you.
Alternatively, if your machines are old or aren’t compatible with the free upgrade, you will need to buy new Windows 11 PCs in order to upgrade.
Option #2 Enrol in the Extended Support Programme
Buying this licence will ensure that you have software and security updates for a maximum of a further three years. The licence isn’t cheap and gets more expensive year on year, but is a good option if your PCs aren’t compatible with the upgrade and you’re not ready to buy new ones yet. It’s worth noting with the extended support licences, that this is only a temporary measure and you will have to upgrade to Windows 11 eventually.
How we can help
We can help to:
- Audit your current machines to see whether they’re eligible for upgrade
- Upgrade eligible machines to Windows 11
- Help you choose and purchase new PCs if required
- Provide the Extended Support Licence for the machines you’re not upgrading.
Regardless of which option you choose, our team will provide a smooth transition and assist you every step of the way. If you’d like us to check your eligibility for upgrade, or you need some more information, please get in touch below.