The countdown of windows 10 support end has begun; Microsoft will officially end support on October 14, 2025.

For almost a decade, Windows 10 has been the reliable engine powering millions of PCs worldwide  

Your computer won’t suddenly stop working. But without updates or patches, it becomes vulnerable, no fixes, no protection, just an open door for hackers.

For enterprises, the stakes are even higher: data breaches, compliance failures, and costly downtime.

So, what does this shift mean for your systems? And how can you prepare for a safe, smooth move to Windows 11?

What It Means for IT Leaders

After the date, Windows 10 won’t just be “old software”, it’ll be a growing risk. Systems will still run, but without security updates, bug fixes, or Microsoft support, they’ll quickly become vulnerable.

For IT leaders, this means:

• Escalating Cybersecurity Threats – Outdated systems become prime targets for attackers.
  
• Regulatory & Compliance Risks – Unsupported devices increase the chance of audit failures and fines.
  
• Complex Lifecycle Management – Different Windows 10 editions retiring at varying times complicates planning.
  
• Infrastructure & Hardware Gaps – Legacy PCs may not meet Windows 11 requirements, leading to costly replacements.

It’s like driving an old car that still runs, but fails its safety test. Sure, it gets you from point A to B, but every trip feels like you’re taking a gamble.

Case Study:

When Microsoft ended support for Windows XP in 2014, countless organizations kept using it. In May 2017, the WannaCry ransomware exploited a vulnerability (EternalBlue) in unpatched Windows systems, rapidly spreading across 150 countries. Despite Microsoft releasing an emergency patch, even for unsupported Windows XP, many businesses were hit because they delayed updates.

Windows 10 Support Ends Soon; Possible Transition Options

Fortunately, IT leaders aren’t stuck. The main paths to move forward are below:

Upgrade to Windows 11

If you want the direct route, upgrading to Windows 11 is the way to go.

The benefits of Windows 11 are:

• Smart Security Architecture

Think of it as your NetShield, keeping your data and devices safe 24/7.

• The Future of Workplace Productivity

Multitask like a pro; Windows 11 keeps teams flowing instead of fumbling.

• Enterprise-Grade Compliance : 

Stay on the safe side of regulations without breaking a sweat.

• Optimized Performance for Business: 

Fast, seamless, and strong enough to handle whatever your workday throws at it.

• Modernized IT Infrastructure

Compatible with tomorrow’s apps and tools, so you won’t fall behind.

• Cost-Efficient IT Management:

 Smarter IT management means less downtime, fewer hassles, and more room in your budget.

Challenge: 

Not every existing hardware supports Windows 11. This may require a phased device refresh strategy.

LTSC:

Some organizations rely on LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) because it delivers what they value most: stability, extended support, and minimal feature updates. Industries like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, where downtime can mean millions in losses or even risks to human life, prefer LTSC to avoid disruptions caused by frequent Windows updates.

When paired with Windows 10, LTSC provided:

• Extended Support Cycles.
   
• Minimal Disruptions.
  
• Regulatory Compliance.

But LTSC also comes with drawbacks:

•  No Access to Latest Features
•  Limited Application Support
•  Higher Upgrade Pressure

Only about 3.55% of Windows 10 devices are running LTSC. In other words, a tiny slice of companies have been riding the “stability train,” while the rest are on the mainstream track, and guess what?

Both groups are headed for the same station: planning their move from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

 Extended Security Updates (ESUs): A Costly Band-Aid

Microsoft will continue developing security updates for those who can’t update on time. Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows 10 will be available on a subscription basis for up to three years. However, they are expensive:

• In the first year, it costs $61. By the second year, that doubles to $122, and by the third year it doubles again to $244. Add it all up, and you’re paying $427 for just one device, which gets expensive pretty fast.

Clearly, upgrading is a better long-term investment.

Alternative OS Paths

• Lightweight options: Are older devices slowing down your team?

Instead of tossing them out, you can give them a fresh start with lightweight operating systems like Linux Mint or ChromeOS Flex.

They’re fast, easy to use, and perfect for everyday tasks like checking emails, working on documents, or browsing the web. It’s a simple way to extend the life of your hardware without extra costs.

• Cloud-hosted Windows: Another option is to move Windows to the cloud with solutions like Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop.

This way, your team can access the full Windows experience from any device, whether they’re in the office or at home. And the best part? 

You reduce the hassle of managing on-site systems while keeping performance consistent and secure.

Step-by-Step Readiness Roadmap

Real-World Insight from the Field

IT leaders aren’t just dealing with the technical side of Windows 10’s end of support; they’re also navigating a complex ecosystem of versions, editions, and user preferences.

As Esben Dochy, Senior Technical Evangelist at Lansweeper, puts it in an interview with Computer Weekly:

“The sheer number of versions and editions of Windows 10 adds a lot of complexity to the support structure.”

And it’s not only IT teams feeling the pressure. End-users themselves continue to push back on moving to Windows 11. As Windows Central reports:

“This move has received a lot of backlash from users, with some blatantly expressing a preference for Windows 10 over Windows 11, citing flawed design elements and stringent minimum system requirements among their reasoning.”

Together, these perspectives highlight why a one-size-fits-all migration strategy simply doesn’t work. Every device, every department, and every user base comes with its own challenges, and leaders need to plan upgrades with that in mind.

How Unduit Helps in the Transition

Transitioning thousands of devices isn’t easy, but Unduit makes it manageable with end-to-end IT Asset Lifecycle Management.

Services include:

• Asset Retrieval (secure device collection).
  
• Secure Data Destruction & Cleaning (preventing breaches; remember Morgan Stanley’s 2020 case where poor ITAD led to regulatory fines).
  
• IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) (reselling, recycling, buyback of old devices).
  
• Fleet Migration Support (minimize downtime, maximize compliance).
  

This ensures your Windows 11 migration is not just an upgrade, but an opportunity to optimize IT strategy.
With this comprehensive approach, Unduit ensures your Windows 10 to Windows 11 transition is not just an OS upgrade, but a strategic step in optimizing your entire IT infrastructure.

FAQs

1. What risks do IT leaders face if the organization keeps running Windows 10 after October 2025?
Business operations may continue, but without security updates, devices will become vulnerable to cyber threats, compliance failures, and potential downtime.

2. Will we need to replace all existing hardware to move to Windows 11?
Not necessarily. If your current hardware meets Microsoft’s requirements, it can be upgraded. However, for non-compliant devices, IT leaders should plan phased hardware refresh cycles.

3. What strategic options are available when Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025?
You can upgrade to Windows 11, purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) as a temporary bridge, or consider migrating specific workloads to Windows 10 LTSC where applicable.

4. How should IT leaders approach migration to Windows 11 or LTSC?
By developing a roadmap: audit device inventory, assess hardware compatibility, back up critical data, and leverage automated deployment tools or managed services to minimize disruption.

5. How can IT leaders justify the migration investment to executives?
By framing it around risk reduction (security & compliance), cost optimization (avoiding ESU premiums), and enabling productivity with Windows 11’s modern features.