Windows 10 End of Life: Key Information & Advice

Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on 14th October 2025. After this date, Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support — meaning any device still running it will be more vulnerable to cyber threats and potentially non-compliant with modern IT standards.

If your business is still using Windows 10 PCs, now is the time to plan your upgrade strategy. In this guide, we explain what “end of life” actually means, the risks of delaying action, and what steps you should take to ensure your systems remain secure and supported.

Understanding Windows 10 End of Life

Windows 10, since its launch in July 2015, has been a cornerstone for business and personal computing across the globe. However, like all technology, it has a lifecycle, which includes an end of support or “end of life”. Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will reach its end of life on 14 October 2025. After this date, Windows 10 will no longer receive updates or support, including critical security updates, from Microsoft.

The cessation of support raises significant security and compliance issues. Operating systems that do not receive regular updates are vulnerable to security threats, potentially putting business data and IT infrastructure at risk. Moreover, regulatory frameworks often require businesses to use supported software to meet compliance standards.

Preparing for the Transition

The transition from Windows 10 requires careful planning and consideration. Here are the steps you can take to prepare for this change:

• Assessment and Inventory: The first step in preparation is to assess your current IT environment. Identify how many devices are running Windows 10 and gauge the hardware’s readiness for an upgrade.
• Understanding Your Options: Post Windows 10, the primary route for many will be upgrading to Windows 11. This will depend on whether your current hardware meets the system requirements for Windows 11. If not, you might consider hardware upgrades or replacements.
• Developing a Migration Plan: Transitioning to a new operating system is not merely an upgrade but a critical shift that involves detailed planning. This includes managing data backups, application compatibility checks, and user training to adapt to the new system seamlessly.
• Timeline and Budgeting: Create a realistic timeline for the transition, factoring in the necessary budget allocations for hardware upgrades and software licensing. Early planning can help mitigate the financial impact of the transition.
• Continuous Monitoring and Support: Even after transitioning, continuous monitoring of your new system’s performance and security is crucial. Ensure you have the right support in place to address any issues promptly.

What Are the Risks of Staying on Windows 10 After 2025?

Running unsupported operating systems exposes your business to a range of risks:

1. Increased Security Vulnerabilities

Without regular security patches, Windows 10 will become a prime target for cybercriminals. Exploits discovered after October 2025 will remain unpatched.

2. Compliance Issues

Many data protection and security standards require the use of supported systems. Sticking with Windows 10 could put you in breach of Cyber Essentials, GDPR, or even insurance requirements.

3. Software Incompatibility

New applications and updates will eventually stop supporting Windows 10. That means reduced performance, limited features, or complete incompatibility with modern tools.

4. Operational Disruption

Unsupported operating systems increase IT management overhead, risk downtime, and may lead to performance instability — all of which affect productivity.

Even if Windows 10 works fine today, that won't be true forever. The risks will increase month by month after EOL.

What Are Your Options?

As an IT manager, you have several options to consider based on your hardware, software compatibility, and budget:

1. Upgrade to Windows 11

Microsoft’s official recommendation is to move to Windows 11, which offers:

• Continued security updates and feature support

• Enhanced user experience and productivity tools

• Improved compatibility with modern hardware and software

Most PCs purchased in the last two years will support Windows 11 — but older models may not meet the system requirements.

2. Replace Older Devices

Some older machines can’t run Windows 11 due to TPM 2.0 and CPU requirements. In these cases, you’ll need to plan for a hardware refresh.

• Modern devices are faster, more energy efficient, and more secure

• Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) or leasing options can reduce upfront cost

When Should You Act?

Ideally, your Windows 10 upgrade or device replacement plan should be finalised before mid-2025, to avoid last-minute procurement issues or rushed deployments.

When will Windows 11 Be End of Life (EOL)?

At the time of writing Windows 11 is currrently in full support and does not have an announced EOL date. However, different versions of Windows 11 have already reached their end of life (i.e. 21H2 in 2024) and others will reach that point in 2025 (22H2 in October 2025). This shows how vital it is to patch devices to keep them up-to-date and fully supported. Each version of Windows 11 is typically supported by Microsoft for 24 months after release.

Microsoft provided support for Windows 10 for around 10 years in total, so we can expect a similar timeframe for Windows 11, meaning that an expected end of life date would be in 2031.

Next Steps

To ensure you are fully prepared for the Windows 10 end of life, your account manager will be in touch shortly to discuss your specific options and how we can assist further. Should you wish to address this matter sooner, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Navigating the end of life for Windows 10 is a significant milestone, and with the right preparation and support, you can transition smoothly and securely into the next generation of computing technology.