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Windows 10 End of Support: What It Means and Why We Are Acting Now
The clock is ticking for Windows 10. Come October 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for this widely-used operating system. This transition has significant implications for users, particularly businesses that rely on their IT systems for daily operations. Here’s what you need to know and why it’s critical to make the switch to Windows 11 sooner rather than later.
What Does End of Support Actually Mean?
The teams “End of Support” and “End of Life” are common in the tech and IT industry and are ways of ensuring the latest advancements in technology can be achieved while retiring types of technology which become too much to continue maintaining. This may be because cost of maintaining the hardware or software is prohibitive or new advancements in tech are not compatible with old systems.
For Windows 10, this means Microsoft will no longer provide updates, including security patches, for that operating system. Without these updates, devices running Windows 10 will become increasingly vulnerable to security threats such as viruses, ransomware, and other forms of cyberattacks.
For businesses, this lack of support could lead to increased risks of data breaches and other IT security incidents.
Why Upgrade to Windows 11?
Windows 11 is designed to provide a modern, secure, and efficient computing experience. Here are the key benefits:
- Enhanced Security: Windows 11 comes with robust security features, such as advanced encryption and hardware-based security, to protect against modern cyber threats.
- Improved Productivity: New features, such as Snap Layouts and better virtual desktop management, help streamline multitasking and workflows.
- Ongoing Support: Unlike Windows 10, Windows 11 will continue receiving regular updates, keeping your system secure and up to date.
Not All Devices Are Compatible
It’s important to note that Windows 11 has some stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10. Devices need to meet specific criteria, such as TPM 2.0 support and a compatible processor. For many older machines, this means upgrading to Windows 11 won’t be an option without purchasing new hardware.
The Cyber Insurance Implication
We mentioned the security concerns around not updated to Windows 11 a little earlier. Remember, Windows 10 will not be receiving security patches and updates after October 2025. For businesses, there’s an additional layer of urgency. Many cyber insurance policies have clauses requiring businesses to run supported and up-to-date software. Remember that checklist you would have completed for your last cyber insurance policy review? Its extremely likely that there were specific questions that you answered “yes” to around running up-to-date systems.
Operating on an unsupported system like Windows 10 after its end of support could result in denied claims in the event of a cyber incident. In an event like that, the last thing any business needs is the added stress of a denied claim.
What’s Next?
For our clients, we’re already actively reaching out to discuss options to upgrade, refresh devices and highlight the implications and risks of not upgrading.
If you’re not sure what to do with your Windows 10 devices, give you local IT provider a call and get their assistance.
