Windows 10 End of Support – What Are Your Options?

Since its launch in July 2015, Windows 10 has gained a large audience of enthusiasts. As one of the most beloved operating systems from the Redmond giant, Win 10 was in active use by about 66% of all Windows users in mid-2024. Its versatility and unflattering reviews of the successor may not convince you to change the operating system quickly. But this change is inevitable if you are concerned about security and business continuity.

According to official announcements, the end of the Windows 10 era will come on October 14, 2025. After that time, Microsoft will not provide Windows 10 users with free updates. Technical assistance and security fixes for outdated OS versions will also not be available. Your computers running Win 10 will continue to perform operations, but probably only until the first glitch or malware attack.

After October 14, 2025, you may have trouble using the 2016 and 2019 versions of Office on a Windows 10 device. These two versions of the office apps will also be stripped of free support, putting corporate documents at increased risk. After the end of support for Windows 10, using Microsoft 365 applications on your computer will be impossible, as they will no longer be compatible with the legacy operating system.

At first glance, nothing will change. Unless you encounter problems, you probably won’t notice anything unusual. But, using Windows 10 after October 14, 2025, means opening the door to sensitive data wide open for cybercriminals.

Windows Update provides patches for security vulnerabilities, upgrades for legacy solutions, and maintains compatibility with regulatory requirements. Lack of regular updates can cause your computers to stop working with other systems in your company, pushing you to find another solution quickly.

For latecomers, Microsoft is leaving a gateway in the form of the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. ESU is a paid option that guarantees crucial security updates, recommended only for the transition period, not as regular support. Under ESU, you won’t receive other updates and technical support. In addition, the ESU fee increases yearly and is charged for every Windows 10 computer you own.

We’re sure you want to protect yourself from security problems and incompatibility with other corporate systems. What can you do before your current version of Windows reaches its end-of-life date? Check out the options for upgrading from Windows 10 to the latest operating systems.

The easiest option for current Windows 10 users is to upgrade to Windows 11. If your computers meet the hardware requirements for the latest version of the OS from Redmond, you can install Windows 11 even now to take advantage of Microsoft’s capabilities as soon as possible.

The Upgraded Windows version is promoted by its creators as the most secure release of this OS. It includes comprehensive end-to-end protection with more security features and ongoing updates. If your company’s computers do not fully meet the technical requirements to replace Windows 10 with the latest version, consider a comprehensive software modernization and migration.

Are you delaying the Windows 11 upgrade because you don’t want to part with old-but-gold Windows 10? From September 2023 to August 2024, the share of the latest Windows version grew by less than 8%. Why? Many users don’t meet the hardware requirements but don’t want to replace functioning computers with newer ones. Others don’t upgrade because they don’t see a difference between subsequent Windows versions.

What if you don’t want to move to Windows 11? You can choose migration to Linux Ubuntu. It is a free and open-source OS, viewed by many as more secure than Windows. Linux has an active and involved community that develops the OS and proposes new features. Another system is macOS, but moving to the Cupertino-based developers’ fan community involves replacing your hardware with Mac devices. Lastly, an exciting alternative is Google-developed ChromeOS, which is dedicated mainly to working on the Internet and with other products from Google.

Have you decided not to continue using Windows 10 on your company’s hardware? Check out the steps you should take before you cross the Rubicon.

Whether you change Windows 10 to Windows 11 or a different operating system, you need to take care of your data first. A backup copy of your operating system will be useful if any migration step doesn’t go as planned and you are forced to restore your IT infrastructure to its previous state. A backup copy of your current OS will maintain operational continuity in your business and minimize losses.

If your computers meet the hardware requirements, you probably receive regular notifications to migrate to Windows 11. To find out if your devices are compatible with the new OS, go to Windows Update, which you’ll find in settings under Privacy and Security. Computers with the right specifications will have the upgrade option available. You can also find detailed hardware requirements on the Microsoft Windows 11 website.

Running Windows 10 after October 14, 2025, will be possible but is not recommended. If you are concerned about maintaining a superior level of security and staying away from failures, migrate to Linux, macOS, or Windows 11 for free even now. You can combine the OS change with the modernization of your company’s hardware.

Scalo experts provide comprehensive assistance for all migration activities. Contact us today, and don’t let the end of Windows 10 support catch you off-guard.