Is your business still running on Windows 10? If so, it’s time to start making plans to switch.
Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 in October 2025. That means the end of security updates, the end of customer service, and the end of fixes to broken functionality. In other words: Windows 10 will gradually get less stable, more vulnerable, and harder to troubleshoot.
Why Some Businesses Delayed Making the Switch
When Microsoft released Windows 11, they included some relatively stringent hardware requirements. These were intended to increase overall security of Windows 11, which they did. But the reality was that at the time some older hardware wasn’t capable of upgrading. Businesses that still relied on that kind of hardware didn’t have a choice: they simply couldn’t upgrade.
Other businesses were worried about legacy applications, including some applications where the software maker no longer exists. There was no hope of updating that software for Windows 11, so the right call then was to stick with Windows 10.
But the most common concern? Disruption to business operations.
Moving to a new OS is a big commitment, and it’s true — doing so can be disruptive. Especially if you make the move only to discover that some key piece of hardware or software no longer works — something you relied on to get business done.
Windows 10 Usage Still Alarmingly High
There’s one big problem with Microsoft’s plan to sunset Windows 10: how many people (and businesses) are still using it.
By one measurement, around 60% of all Windows PCs in use today are still running Windows 10.
More than half the PCs out there are right now running an OS that Microsoft plans to drop within a year. That’s a little frightening! (Except for the cybercriminals — they’re pretty thrilled, in fact!)
What About Your Business?
So what about your business? Have you migrated to Windows 11 yet — on all your PCs? If not, well, it’s time to figure out what it will take to switch.
Windows 11 is a free update for anyone using Windows 10. So there’s no direct expense.
But any hardware made prior to 2018 (and some hardware from 2019 and 2020) may not have the technical requirements needed to run Windows 11. In some cases, that means new hardware is in order.
Of course, you’ll also need to evaluate any and all software you use in your business, making sure that it will still run in Windows 11. If you run into any legacy incompatibility issues, you may need to look for new software solutions. The risks of sticking with Windows 10 indefinitely probably aren’t worth it.
Already Running Windows 11? Make Sure That’s True Everywhere
Even if you’re already running Windows 11 on your work PC, now is the time to conduct an inventory across your business. Every PC and workstation needs to be upgraded, including any devices that might not be front of mind. Got a Windows 10 PC controlling a specific piece of hardware or equipment? It probably needs to make the move, too — just make sure that any equipment- or industry-specific software on that PC can run in Windows 11.
For most device types, endpoint management can help here. With endpoint management, your IT department or managed IT provider keeps track of what’s installed on every employee device, including things like OS version and security updates. It’s an easy way to not have to think about stuff like this day to day as a business leader. And if you’re looking for guidance on setting up endpoint protection (or on making the move to Windows 11), we’ve got you covered — just reach out to our team to talk through your needs and concerns.