Windows 10 End of Support: What Every Business Needs to Do Next

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Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. If your business is still relying on it, and many organizations are, your computers are no longer receiving critical security updates.

The challenging part is that everything still appears to work normally. Employees can log in, access files, and run applications just like before. That false sense of security makes it easy to delay upgrading. Meanwhile, newly discovered vulnerabilities continue to accumulate with no security patches to fix them.

So what should your business do next?

You have three practical options: upgrade to Windows 11, purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU) to buy more time, or replace older computers that no longer meet Windows 11 requirements.

Let’s look at why this matters and how to choose the best path forward.

What Does Windows 10 End of Support Actually Mean?

When Microsoft ends support for an operating system, it stops providing:

• Security updates
• Bug and quality fixes
• Feature updates
• Technical support

Although Windows 10 devices continue to function, Microsoft is no longer fixing newly discovered security vulnerabilities. Microsoft has published detailed guidance explaining what Windows 10 end of support means, your available upgrade options, and Extended Security Updates (ESU). See Microsoft’s Windows 10 end of support page for additional information.

Cybercriminals constantly search for weaknesses in operating systems. With Windows 10 no longer receiving patches, every new vulnerability becomes another potential entry point for attackers, and those security gaps remain open indefinitely.

That’s why running an unsupported operating system significantly increases your cybersecurity risk over time.

Why Running Windows 10 Creates Business Risks

This isn’t simply about using an older computer. It’s about exposing your business to unnecessary security, compliance, and financial risks.

Unsupported systems are attractive targets

Cybercriminals actively look for computers running unsupported software because they know known vulnerabilities will remain unpatched. According to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), unsupported products often become easy targets, even for less experienced attackers.

Compliance requirements become harder to meet

If your business processes payment cards, medical records, or sensitive customer information, regulations such as PCI DSS and HIPAA expect organizations to use supported, regularly updated software.

Continuing to operate Windows 10 could place your organization out of compliance.

Cyber insurance may be affected

Many cyber insurance providers now ask whether systems are fully supported and regularly patched. Running unsupported operating systems may result in:

• Higher insurance premiums
• Reduced coverage
• Increased scrutiny or disputes during claims

Software compatibility will continue to decline

Over time, software vendors stop supporting outdated operating systems.

Browsers, accounting applications, productivity tools, and security software will eventually stop receiving updates, or stop working altogether, making Windows 10 increasingly difficult to maintain.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) also lists running supported, up-to-date software as one of the most important foundational cybersecurity practices for businesses.

Your Options After Windows 10 End of Support

Every business has different hardware, budgets, and timelines. Most organizations end up using a combination of these three approaches.

1. Upgrade to Windows 11 (Free for Compatible PCs)

For many businesses, upgrading to Windows 11 is the easiest and most cost-effective solution.

If your computer meets Microsoft’s hardware requirements, including a supported processor, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot, the upgrade is free.

You can quickly determine eligibility using Microsoft’s PC Health Check application or by working with your IT provider.

For compatible systems, upgrading allows you to keep your files, applications, and settings while restoring full security support.

2. Purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU) as a Temporary Solution

If certain computers aren’t ready to be replaced immediately, Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU).

ESU provides critical security patches, but only as a temporary bridge while you prepare to upgrade or replace the device.

For business customers:

• Year 1: $61 per device
• Year 2: Price doubles
• Year 3: Price doubles again

Keeping the same Windows 10 PC protected through the full three-year ESU program costs approximately $427 per device.

Home users have different pricing, but for businesses, ESU is intended as a short-term solution, not a long-term strategy.

3. Replace Older Computers

Some computers simply don’t meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements.

Rather than paying for ESU year after year, replacing aging hardware is often the smarter financial decision. A new Windows 11 computer provides:

• Ongoing Microsoft support
• Better security features
• Improved performance
• Longer hardware lifespan

In many cases, investing in new hardware costs less than maintaining outdated systems over several years.

How to Successfully Transition from Windows 10

You don’t have to replace every computer overnight, but you should have a migration plan.

A simple approach looks like this:

1. Create an inventory of every Windows 10 computer in your organization.
2. Identify which devices qualify for Windows 11 using the PC Health Check tool or your IT provider.
3. Upgrade all compatible systems to Windows 11.
4. Decide whether remaining computers should receive ESU temporarily or be replaced based on their age and business value.

An experienced IT provider can perform this assessment quickly and recommend the most cost-effective solution for each device.

Don’t Wait Until a Security Incident Forces the Decision

Every month that passes without security updates increases your organization’s exposure to cyber threats.

Whether you choose to upgrade, purchase ESU, or replace aging hardware, having a clear migration plan will help keep your business secure, compliant, and productive.

If you’re unsure where to begin, Twintel can assess your current environment, identify Windows 10 devices, and help you build a practical upgrade strategy that minimizes disruption while protecting your business. Contact Twintel today.