62.7% of all Windows devices are currently using Windows 10 and will become vulnerable in October.
You may be thinking...
End of support doesn’t mean your a device running Windows 10 will suddenly stop working. However, it does mean that Microsoft will no longer provide:
- Security Updates: Windows 10 will no longer receive patches for vulnerabilities, leaving your system exposed to potential threats.
- Feature Updates: New features and enhancements won’t be added.
- Technical Support: Microsoft will no longer offer direct support for troubleshooting.
While your system may remain functional, running an unsupported OS is a significant security risk. Cybercriminals often target systems with known vulnerabilities that are no longer patched. This happened with previous versions of Microsoft Windows.
Microsoft’s lifecycle policies are designed to encourage innovation and improvement. Windows 10 was initially released with a promise of 10 years of support, divided into five years of mainstream support and five years of extended support.
Now, the focus has shifted to Windows 11, which was released in October 2021. Microsoft is directing its resources toward improving Windows 11 and shaping the next generation of operating systems.
No. Your device will continue to work, but support for Windows 10 is discontinued. After 14th October 2025, your Windows 10 PC will no longer receive security updates and Microsoft will no longer be available to provide Windows 10 technical support.
The upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro to the equivalent edition of Windows 11 is free (for example, Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro). Check to see if this is an option for a device by opening Settings > Privacy and Security > Windows Update. If a device meets the minimum system requirements and is able to upgrade, you should see an option in Windows Update to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
What should you do next?
If your organisation is still using Windows 10, here’s how you can prepare before October arrives…
Evaluate your current hardware
Windows 11 is the obvious upgrade choice, but it does have specific hardware requirements. Check if your devices meet the minimum specifications. If they don’t, you may need to upgrade your hardware or consider purchasing new devices. You can check if a device is able to be upgraded by going to Settings > Privacy and Security > Windows Update.
Allocate a budget
Most organisations will be discussing budgets for the financial year ahead. Ensure that some budget is put aside for the upgrade project. There are licensing costs, potential hardware costs as well as staff training and potential for third party assistance.
Plan the project carefully
Most software will work on Windows 11 but some may require updating. If you have thousands of devices to upgrade, this could be a major project which spans multiple months and involves lots of stakeholders.
Explore alternatives
Windows may no longer be the right operating system for your organisation. Consider Mac OS or Linux as potential alternatives.
Seek expert advice
A project of this scale may need advice from experts outside your organisation. At D2NA, we have experts ready to advise you on a project like this and ensure it successful, on-budget and on-time.
Our experts are ready to assist your organisation...
Some additional questions you may have...
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).
Memory: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater.
Storage: 64 GB or greater available disk space.
Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
Display: High definition (720p) display, 9" or greater monitor, 8 bits per colour channel.
Microsoft will launch a Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme.
If you need more time before moving to a Copilot+ PC or other new Windows 11 device, a one-year Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme for $30 USD will help protect your Windows 10 device. Enrolment for this programme will open at some point this year.
ESU is a paid programme that will entitle enrolled PCs to receive Critical and Important security updates after support for Windows 10 ends. The programme will provide Critical and Important security updates but will not provide other types of updates or technical support.