Windows 10 End-of-Support

Windows 10 has been the backbone of businesses and households alike for nearly a decade, but its days are numbered. With Microsoft officially ending support in October 2025, millions of devices worldwide will suddenly face new risks and challenges. In this blog, Kelly Clemmensen, Solutions II Security Architect, breaks down what this transition really means, the risks of holding on to Windows 10, and the practical steps you can take to protect your business.

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What’s Happening and When

Windows 10 is heading into retirement. October 14, 2025 marks the last day Microsoft will provide updates, security patches, or technical support for the popular operating system. Nothing will break on October 14th. The Windows 10 Operating System (OS) will still run, but it will be forever frozen in time: no new fixes, no new features, and no lifeline from Microsoft. It's like your car still runs, but the manufacturer has stopped making replacement parts. You can drive it, but every breakdown becomes your problem, and eventually, even the mechanic won't touch it.

Windows 10 has had a good run since its 2015 release, powering hundreds of millions of devices and becoming one of the most widely used operating systems ever. However, with the introduction of Windows 11 in 2021, Microsoft’s focus has shifted. Ten years is a generous lifespan for an OS, time to pass the torch.

Life After October 2025

Here’s what end-of-support really means:

Security patches stop: Any new vulnerabilities discovered after October 14, 2025, won’t be fixed. Over time, this leaves systems vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Bug fixes and features stop: No more quality rollups or surprise features. Windows 10 is officially “feature complete.”
Support ends: Microsoft won’t help troubleshoot. You’re left to forums, IT friends, or sheer luck.

For businesses, unsupported software also brings compliance issues. Regulators, auditors, and cyber insurers expect you to use supported systems. Sticking with Windows 10 could become a liability.

The Risks of Running Windows 10 Past End-of-Support

Continuing with Windows 10 after October 2025 isn’t just “living dangerously”, it’s inviting real business and personal risks:

Growing security exposure: Hackers actively target unsupported operating systems because they know new vulnerabilities won’t be patched. A striking example: during the devastating WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, many organizations, including the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), suffered major outages when out-of-support systems Windows XP and Server 2003 were infected years after end-of-life.
Compliance failures: Unsupported systems may violate regulations, fail audits, or void cyber insurance. An unfortunate driver of modernization, but a powerful one.
Software incompatibility: Over time, critical apps will stop supporting Windows 10. Look at SAP GUI for Windows, the primary interface for accessing SAP systems. Versions like SAP GUI 7.60 and earlier were supported only on Windows platforms that Microsoft still maintained. As Windows versions fell out of Microsoft's support (like Windows XP or older server editions), SAP also dropped compatibility for those platforms. For instance, SAP GUI 7.70’s support concluded on April 9, 2024, and older GUI versions like 7.60 became unsupported on outdated Windows OS altogether. By staying on an unsupported OS, organizations risk losing access to the tools that enable them to run mission-critical SAP applications, regardless of whether SAP continues to support its software.
Hardware and driver issues: New devices won’t come with Windows 10 drivers.
Operational cost: Maintaining outdated systems usually costs more in IT time than upgrading.

Your Options

Here are the realistic paths forward:

Upgrade to Windows 11: Free for compatible and licensed Windows 10 PCs. Keeps systems supported and secure.
Replace older hardware: If a PC can’t run Windows 11, plan for a refresh.
Enroll in Extended Security Update (ESU) program: A temporary fix, buys time but should not be the long-term plan.
Alternative Operating System: Linux or ChromeOS Flex can keep older PCs useful.
Do nothing: Viable only for offline/specialized machines. A risky gamble online.

Why Windows 11 Matters

Upgrading isn’t just about avoiding risk; Windows 11 brings tangible benefits:

Security by design: Hardware protections like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot block entire classes of attacks. Microsoft reports a 62% drop in malware incidents on Windows 11 devices.
Compliance ready: Supported OS = safer audits and insurance renewals.
Future-proofing: Windows 11 continues to get features and compatibility, while Windows 10 stagnates.

Extended Security Updates: A Temporary Lifeline

For those who can’t migrate in time, Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU):

Consumers: Up to one extra year of patches, through October 2026.
Businesses: Up to three years (through 2028), at rising costs, estimated at $61 per PC in year one, doubling each year.

ESU is only a stopgap. No new features, no bug fixes, and rising costs.

Prescriptive Guidance: What to Do Now

Don’t wait until October 2025. Start planning today:

Inventory your PCs: Know what you have and what’s eligible for Windows 11.
Check eligibility: Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check or Windows Update.
Pilot Windows 11: Test key apps early.
Plan hardware refreshes: Budget for replacements where needed.
Enroll in ESU if necessary: Only as a temporary bridge.
Back up everything: Always before upgrades or replacements.
Communicate: Prepare users for changes ahead of time.

The Bottom Line

Windows 10 has been a reliable workhorse, but after October 2025, continuing to run it means rising risks and missed opportunities. It’s too late to get six months ahead of this, but it’s not too late to protect your organization. Whether upgrading to Windows 11, refreshing hardware, or using ESU as a short-term bridge, preparing early ensures a smooth transition.

Upgrading isn’t painless. It can disrupt applications, surface compatibility issues, and trigger resistance from users who simply don’t want change. But the reality is simple: staying on Windows 10 isn’t an option. Once support ends, the risks from security breaches to compliance failures will only grow.

The best approach is to acknowledge that friction is inevitable and plan accordingly. Run pilots early, give yourself room for troubleshooting, and build in time for user training. Positioning migration as a necessary step rather than an optional project helps set expectations, gain buy-in, and reduce pushbacks.

Don’t let end-of-support put your business at risk. Connect with our Solutions II security experts today to assess your Windows 10 environment and plan a secure transition. To learn more about Solutions II, visit our website at www.solutions-ii.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

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