We’ve posted here a few times now about the reasons why it’s time to update to Windows 11. This is likely our last one, but there’s news you need to know if you’re still sticking with Windows 10.
Microsoft is ending free support for Windows 10 in less than 2 weeks.
On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 support officially ends. That means no more security updates, no more technical support from Microsoft if something goes wrong, and no more bug fixes or changes of virtually any kind.
The tldr here: if you haven’t upgraded to Windows 11, you need to get the ball rolling — right away.
Why Free Support Is Ending
Put simply: Windows 10 is old. In terms of operating-system lifespans, it’s ancient. Microsoft released its successor (Windows 11) in 2021, so businesses have already had 4 years to get ready to upgrade.
Keeping multiple OSes up and running (and safe and secure) is a resource drain, even for a company as big as Microsoft. So eventually, inevitably, every OS reaches end of life and end of support.
For Windows 10, that day is October 14.
End of Support Means Growing Risks for Your Business
If you’re still running Windows 10 throughout your business, you should upgrade.
If you aren’t sure how to manage this effectively, we can help. Working with a managed service provider, or MSP, like Blue Ridge Tech is the simplest way to achieve IT stability and piece of mind. In fact, we’ve already upgraded all current clients to Windows 11, barring any edge cases (more on those below).
But before we get to that: why is end of support a big deal for your business?
Because when Microsoft stops supporting a product, any new security vulnerabilities that are discovered will remain unfixed. At the OS level, that’s a big deal. Let’s say hackers discover a new flaw in Windows 10 on October 15, one that lets them create new exploits and attacks. Ordinarily, Microsoft would respond with a security update to fix that flaw (like it has for the entire lifespan of Windows 10). But after end of support, the company isn’t going to make that update.
That means any Windows 10 machines still in use at your business would be vulnerable to every new exploit, malware, or attack that uses the newly-discovered flaw.
Unfortunately, over time this will happen over and over and over again, until eventually Windows 10 becomes a serious security vulnerability for your business.
That’s why we say that now is the time to upgrade.
However, there are a few businesses that can’t do so yet, or can’t upgrade every single PC in their organization. Here’s more on why and what you should do if that’s you.
What About Extended Security Updates?
Technically, businesses that end up really stuck do have a temporary way out. Microsoft will issue one more year of extended security updates (ESUs), but these will cost you. They also tend to be pretty barebones, fixing only egregious security concerns (no new features or innovations in sight).
If you have hardware that can’t upgrade, or you’re relying on legacy software that won’t run in Windows 11, then ESUs can give you another year or so to upgrade your hardware and find new software options.
But otherwise, we view ESUs as literally throwing money away. You’ll have to upgrade hardware and/or OS in a year anyway. It makes sense to do this now, putting the money you would’ve spent on ESUs toward the new hardware you need.
Blue Ridge Tech Is Here For You
If you’re still not running Windows 11 throughout your business, we can help. We’ve already walked dozens of clients through this process, and we can do the same for you. Even if you have old hardware or legacy software concerns, we can work with you to find future-forward solutions.