On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10. While that may feel like a distant date, businesses still relying on Windows 10 for daily operations should start planning now. Ignoring this deadline could expose your organization to unnecessary risks and costs.

Why Is Microsoft Ending Windows 10 Support?

Microsoft has a fixed lifecycle policy for its operating systems. Windows 10 was first released in July 2015, and when Microsoft introduced Windows 11 in 2021, they made it clear that Windows 10 would receive ten years of support, aligning with their standard support cycle. The October 2025 end date was announced back in June 2021, giving organizations ample time to prepare.

This isn’t unusual — every Microsoft operating system (OS) has an expiration date. When support ends, so do critical security updates, bug fixes, and technical support.

What Happens After October 14, 2025?

After that date, Windows 10 will continue to function, but here’s the problem: no more security updates. That means new vulnerabilities will go unpatched, making every Windows 10 machine in your environment a potential entry point for cyberattacks.

Running an unsupported operating system quickly becomes a business risk. Compliance audits, cybersecurity insurance, and data privacy policies may all be impacted if you’re running outdated, unsupported software.

What’s the Solution? Upgrade to Windows 11

The most effective solution is to upgrade to Windows 11. Many machines already licensed with Windows 10 are also eligible to run Windows 11 — particularly those purchased in the last 3-4 years. In fact, Windows 11 has now matured to the point where most software compatibility concerns are minimized because most software vendors have already updated their products to work on Windows 11.

Of course, checking hardware compatibility and application readiness is still part of a well-managed upgrade plan. But at this stage, most businesses won’t run into major roadblocks — especially if you’ve kept up with mainstream software and hardware over the past few years.

What About Extended Security Updates (ESU)?

Microsoft knows some organizations won’t be ready in time. That’s why they’re offering Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 — for a price.

Here’s what you need to know:

• ESU will be available for up to three years (2025–2028)
• It’s a paid subscription per device of $65 for the first year
• The cost doubles every year after the first year
• It only covers security updates — no new features or bug fixes

This should be treated as a short-term safety net, not a long-term strategy. Windows 11 and beyond is the best option to stay current and more secure than Windows 10. The ESU program is primarily geared at larger organizations that won’t have the time to upgrade all their machines. Smaller businesses are better situated to upgrade more quickly.

Plan Now for the Best Outcome

If you’re running Windows 10 in your environment today, now is the time to sit down with your IT team and management to map out a transition plan. Upgrading to Windows 11 may be more straightforward than you think — especially if your devices already meet the hardware requirements and were licensed for both versions.

Don’t wait until you’re under pressure. Planning ahead ensures better budgeting, less disruption, and a smoother upgrade path. And if you truly need to buy time, understand the limitations and costs of the ESU program — and set a firm timeline to get off Windows 10 before support ends completely.