Windows 10 support officially ends on 14 October 2025. After this date, the operating system will be end-of-life (EOL).
When Microsoft ends support for an operating system, this can potentially leave your devices vulnerable to security threats, software failures, and compliance risks.
For Windows 10 devices, this could mean:
- No security patches – newly discovered vulnerabilities will remain unpatched, potentially leaving devices open to cyber attacks.
- Reduced software compatibility – new applications, drivers, and security tools will be built for Windows 11, which could lead to performance issues for Windows 10.
- Compliance risks – organisations in regulated industries could fail security audits. For businesses holding Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001 certification, continuing to use Windows 10 after its EOL could lead to non-compliance.
Is there an alternative to moving to Windows 11 by October 2025?
Yes, there is one main option for organisations that can’t migrate to Windows 11 before the EOL deadline.
Whilst we still recommend planning to migrate as soon as possible, Microsoft provide an Extended Security Updates program that enables you to keep applying Windows 10 security updates to your devices.
The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program provides security updates for your Windows 10 devices on a per-device basis for an annual cost.
What are the requirements of the Win 10 ESU program
Devices must already be running the latest version of Windows 10 (22H2).
What are the drawbacks of the Win 10 ESU program
The ESU program only provides security updates, not new features or general support. It is also expensive for organisations, especially for years 2 and 3, and is only available for 3 years.
How much is the Windows 10 ESU program?
For businesses:
The cost for business customers is expected to be $61 per device for year 1, with the price doubling each year, with year 2 costing $122 and year 3 costing $244. This is a total of $427 per device for 3 years.
For education customers:
The cost from Microsoft for education customers is much more reasonable at $1 in year 1, $2 in year 2 and $4 in year 3, for a total of $7 to extend the life for 3 years.
How do we buy ESU for Windows 10 in the UK?
Windows 10 ESU pricing for the UK has not been officially released. Win 10 ESU pricing should be available via CSP and Open Value agreements and we are expecting an official update from Microsoft soon, hopefully by April 2025.
Windows 10 LTSB and LTSC
Another option to extend the life of your Windows 10 devices would be running long-term service branch (LTSB) or long-term service channel (LTSC) versions of Windows 10. This option is usually not feasible for most organisations, unless you already have LTSB/LTSC licenses.
Education customers with Open Value agreements may have access to LTSC and LTSB licensing and this option might be one to investigate. There are various caveats to running these versions of Windows 10. If you’re a school, you can always contact us to discuss this option and find out more.
Windows 11 upgrades – hardware and device limitations
Windows 11 introduces strict hardware requirements, which may render some older devices incompatible. Key requirements include:
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 – A hardware security feature required for Windows 11, TPM 2.0 is not available on many older devices.
- Attempting to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware is not recommended, as it may lead to security vulnerabilities, performance issues, and a lack of official updates.
- UEFI and Secure Boot are mandatory features of Windows 11 and may not be supported on legacy devices with outdated BIOS systems.
What should you do?
- Conduct a hardware audit – Identify which devices meet Windows 11 requirements and which need replacement.
- Evaluate application readiness – Test mission-critical software for compatibility and seek vendor updates if necessary.
- Plan for a gradual rollout – Stagger device upgrades to minimise downtime and manage costs efficiently.
- Take advice from professionals – Approach your IT support provider for assistance with hardware assessments, migration strategies, and deployment planning.
How to upgrade to Windows 11
Transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is a crucial decision that should be based on advice from your in-house or outsourced IT support provider. The main options are listed below:
- Upgrade existing hardware – This is often the simplest and most cost-effective option for supported hardware and should have minimal disruption. This would be recommended for small organisations with a very small or ad-hoc IT team.
- Clean installation – A clean installation wipes a device and installs Windows 11 from scratch, ensuring a fresh start with no legacy system issues. This is usually the most common route and would be managed by your IT team.
- Hardware refresh – Purchasing new devices ensures your hardware is designed and developed for the features of Windows 11, but is the costliest route.
How we can help
We specialise in helping organisations navigate IT transitions with ease and confidence. Get in touch if you’d like advice or support with Windows 10 EOL, we can offer general advice as well as:
- Comprehensive IT audits to assess hardware compatibility and software readiness.
- Strategic upgrade planning for Windows 11 and migration to cloud services such as Microsoft 365.
- Deployment support to ensure a seamless migration.
- Managed IT services with compliance guidance.