Windows 10 End of Support: What You Need to Know

Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. While your PCs won’t suddenly stop working, they’ll become more vulnerable and harder to maintain. If your business still relies on Windows 10, here’s what you should know, and do, before the deadline.

What “End of Support” Really Means

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer release:

• Security patches

• Bug fixes

• Performance or compatibility updates

This leaves systems exposed to new cyber threats and software incompatibilities over time.

Key Risks of Staying on Windows 10

• Security vulnerabilities: Unpatched operating systems are prime targets for hackers and malware.

• Software issues: New versions of browsers, accounting software, or business apps may stop supporting Windows 10.

• Hardware challenges: New printers, scanners, or peripherals might lack drivers for an unsupported OS.

• Compliance headaches: Using an unsupported OS may violate industry security standards or cyber insurance requirements.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Business

If you must keep Windows 10 after support ends, take these steps to minimize risk:

1. Plan Your Upgrade Now

   • Audit your PCs: Which can run Windows 11? Which need replacement?

   • Budget for upgrades ahead of time to avoid emergency costs.

2. Consider Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU)

   • Microsoft will offer paid ESUs for Windows 10 starting October 2025.

   • Available for businesses and, for the first time, individual users.

   • Costs typically rise each year; factor this into your budget.

3. Use Robust Endpoint Protection

   • Install reputable antivirus and endpoint detection software.

   • Keep firewalls and network security appliances up to date.

   • Enable automatic updates for all other software.

4. Segment or Isolate Legacy Systems

   • If a Windows 10 PC must stay online, limit its network access.

   • Use it only for essential tasks that can’t be migrated yet.

   • Don’t store sensitive customer data on unsupported systems.

5. Keep All Other Apps Updated

   • Even if Windows isn’t getting updates, ensure your browsers, email clients, and office software do.

   • Use supported versions of business-critical apps.

6. Backup Regularly

   • Maintain secure, automated backups of important data.

   • Test restoration periodically so you know it works.

7. Review Compliance Requirements

   • Check with your insurer, auditors, or industry regulators to see if running Windows 10 after 2025 affects your obligations.

   
   

Timeline for Small Businesses

• Begin migrating high-risk systems to Windows 11 or alternatives.

• Subscribe to ESU if necessary, or fully isolate remaining Windows 10 devices.

Staying on Windows 10 beyond October 2025 isn’t immediately catastrophic, but it does increase risk. Proactive planning, upgrading where possible, isolating legacy systems, and subscribing to ESU if needed, can protect your business from unnecessary costs, downtime, and data breaches.