It’s official. We’re now less than six months from Windows 10 end-of-life. After October 14, 2025 Microsoft will no longer support the Windows 10 operating system. As Windows 10 has been widely used by organizations for nearly a decade, this could have a big impact on organizations who have not already made plans to update their systems.
If your organization has not yet made plans for the upcoming Windows 10 end-of-life (or if you’re unsure if you’ve made plans), contact us today.
What does this mean for organizations?
After October 14, Windows 10 will continue to function. However, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, feature updates, or technical support. Security updates are critical for keeping organizations safe from risks such as malware, viruses, and other cyber threats. Without updates, unsupported devices will increasingly be vulnerable to security threats–and expose the organization to unnecessary risk.
In addition to the security risks, there may be feature that will not work with Windows 11. In particular, future updates for M365 Copilot–Window’s AI platform–may require more resources than current Windows 10 machines can handle.
Many systems running Windows 10 are eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11. However, some devices will be too old or incompatible to perform a Windows 11 upgrade. Organizations need to either update the operating systems on their existing hardware to Windows 11; or upgrade old hardware to new hardware that is compatible with Windows 11.
Why should organizations act now?
With just six months remaining until the end of support for Windows 10, organizations who have not already made the transition need to address their hardware and operating systems as soon as possible.
The end-of-life for Windows 10 is a global event. Every organization or individual currently using Windows 10 will be looking to upgrade at the same time. If too many wait until the last minute to come up with a plan, the increased demand may mean organizations are left waiting for back orders or paying premiums for rush orders. Couple the usual logistical challenges of any end-of-life transition with ongoing global trade disruptions and the possibility of supply chain bottlenecks could easily become an expensive and time-consuming reality.
The end of support for Windows 10 is a significant event for organizations that requires proactive action. With only six months left, the time to act is now. If your organization needs to update your operating systems or upgrade your hardware (or if you’re unsure), contact us today.
