If your business computers run on the Microsoft Windows ecosystem, an important date is coming up fast on the horizon - the end of Windows 10 support.
But what does the Windows 10 end of life mean for you and your business?
Today, ITque, a leading provider of managed IT services to clients from California to Texas, will break down everything you need to know about the upcoming transition - and why it’s crucial for your business.
What Does Windows 10 End of Life Mean?
Since its release in 2015, Windows 10 has been the primary operating system for millions of Windows PC users. From home computers and tablets to the IT systems of Fortune 500 enterprises, Windows 10 has been a productivity powerhouse.
But like all things in technology, change is inevitable. And if you’ve been around long enough, you probably remember when other popular operating systems have been phased out, like Windows XP and Windows 8 previously.
So, what does Windows 10's end-of-life actually mean? It's really just a fancy way of saying that Microsoft will no longer continue to support Windows 10 with:
- Security Updates - With new viruses and malware constantly attacking Windows PCs, no support means no future security updates - leaving vulnerabilities and security holes ripe for cyber attacks.
- Performance Enhancements - Operating system updates usually include new features and other performance enhancements. When updates cease, your system runs the risk of becoming sluggish and less responsive over time.
- Bug Fixes - Bugs, glitches, and other technical hiccups will no longer be fixed on Windows 10 machines.
- Technical Support - Once Windows 10 end of life hits, Microsoft will no longer be providing technical support for Windows 10 issues.
Does This Mean That Computers Running Windows 10 Will Completely Stop Working When Windows 10 Support Ends?
No - however, if you are a business owner whose machines are still running Windows 10, you will face significant exposure to digital threats.
If you operate in an industry that requires compliance with data privacy and cybersecurity laws, failing to update your operating systems could result in compliance violations that can leave you vulnerable to fines, lawsuits, and even jeopardize your license to operate in certain industries.
What it boils down to is this - as business owners, if you’re not upgrading your systems to meet the new upcoming standards, you are exposing yourself and your company to significant risks such as:
- Increased Security Vulnerabilities
- Higher Risk of Data Breaches
- Compliance Violations
- Software and Hardware Incompatibility
- Loss of Microsoft Technical Support
These are significant risks that can be avoided by preparing for the upgrade now.
When Does Windows 10 Support End?
If you’re wondering, “When does Windows 10 support end?” Microsoft has announced that support will officially be discontinued on October 14, 2025.
Users, particularly those whose businesses run on Windows 10, are encouraged to upgrade to the current Windows 11 operating system as soon as possible.
Once the October Windows 10 end-of-life date comes, any machines that are not upgraded to Windows 11 may be vulnerable to cyberattacks, viruses, malware, and other malicious attacks.
How to Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
The good news is that upgrading to Windows 11 is FREE for machines that have a valid Windows 10 license, and meet the hardware requirements.
Most business-class PCs built in the past 3–5 years likely support Windows 11, provided they include TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and a compatible CPU. However, some budget or custom-built systems may still fall short.
If you’re curious whether or not your machines are capable of running Windows 11, Microsoft has provided a way to quickly check compatibility. have questions or concerns about the ability of your machines to run Windows 11, ITque can help you evaluate your systems and examine your options with our professional Upgrade and End of Life Cycle services.
What Options Do I Have If I Don’t Want to Upgrade to Windows 11?
It's totally understandable that some businesses may not want to upgrade to Windows 11 - after all, switching to a new operating system does require an investment of time, as well as the inevitable learning curve for staff to get accustomed to the new OS.
While we strongly recommend making the investment to upgrade your computer systems, Microsoft has announced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 users.
The Windows 10 ESU program will provide additional security updates beyond Windows 10 end of life to users who enroll their PCs in the program.
In order to continue to receive these continued security updates, users must pay $61 per machine for the first year. After the first year, the price doubles each year, with a maximum of 3 years for the Windows 10 ESU program. Businesses putting off the upgrade would see a substantial expense per machine over the three year period.
It's also important to note that the ESU program only provides security updates. The program does not include bug fixes, performance updates, or manufacturer support for the OS, features that many regulatory compliance and cybersecurity insurers require a business to have.
The ESU program can be a significant benefit to businesses with legacy hardware that absolutely cannot be upgraded immediately due to cost or compatibility issues, but are actively planning for a full replacement within the ESU timeframe.
In essence, the Windows 10 ESU program should only be viewed as a short-term stopgap to ensure your business computers have the necessary security when Windows 10 support does end.
We do firmly believe that upgrading to Windows 11 as soon as possible is the best move for most organizations. Contact ITque today if you have additional questions or concerns about upgrading.
Why Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
We’ve already talked about the Windows 10 end-of-life cycle as an important date for maintaining protection for your business against cyberattacks and viruses.
But what other reasons exist for upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
Luckily, the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 includes significant other benefits. Top of mind for business owners are:
Enhanced Security Features
Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 does more than just ensure ongoing security support. It includes several new hardware-based security features, including:
- TPM 2.0 Integration - Trusted Platform Module 2.0 is a dedicated security chip that provides a secure environment for storing and managing cryptographic keys, enhancing each machine's data security with features like BitLocker and Windows Hello for facial recognition.
- Secure Boot - First introduced with Windows 8 but now required by Windows 11, this security feature protects the boot process from malicious code by verifying the authenticity of the firmware and bootloader upon startup.
- Microsoft Defender Antivirus - Microsoft Defender Antivirus is included in Windows 11, which offers enhanced protection against viruses and is regularly updated.
Improved Performance
In addition to security upgrades, Windows 11 offers significant improvements in areas like memory management, faster boot times, and improved laptop battery life. While not a transformational leap, the performance enhancements will be better felt on machines with more modern hardware.
AI Integration
Windows 11 provides a foundation for AI-powered applications and features, most notably Microsoft’s own Copilot AI. Copilot is capable of both text and image generation and integrates with Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook to enhance user productivity, data analysis, and collaboration.
However, these AI features may require machines with neural processing units (NPUs), and may be unavailable on machines that lack NPU hardware.
UI Refresh
With Windows 11, Microsoft has made improvements to the user interface (UI), modernizing it while making it easier to navigate and more visually appealing compared to its predecessor.
Most notably, the Start Menu is now centered on the task bar, while also receiving a cleaner grid-based layout. New snap layouts make it easier to arrange windows for multitasking, along with numerous other visual upgrades.
Windows 10 vs Windows 11: Is the Upgrade Really Worth It?
At the end of the day, while UI improvements and AI compatibility are nice to have, the real reason that any business or user of Windows 10 should upgrade to Windows 11 comes down to one simple concern: security.
Let's imagine for a moment what could happen to a business that decides not to upgrade to Windows 11.
Within a few months of Windows 10's end of life, vulnerabilities begin to emerge as hackers distribute new ransomware designed to exploit machines running the old OS.
Because Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, your employees could unwittingly expose your organization to ransomware with potentially devastating consequences.
As the ransomware spreads from computer to computer on your network, it can do all sorts of malicious things - like encrypt all the files on your network, including critical client financial data, tax records, and other sensitive information.
This is only one small potential issue that can arise by neglecting to upgrade your computer systems to Windows 11.
With Windows 10 end-of-life support arriving on October 14, 2025, the window to upgrade your business machines to Windows 11 is quickly closing.
By taking the initiative to upgrade now, you will ensure:
- The strongest protection against cyber attacks
- Continued technical support from Microsoft
- Enhanced performance
- Cleaner, more intuitive interface
- Increased compatibility with newer hardware and software
In short, upgrading to Windows 11 now will ensure that your business is able to operate securely now and into the future, while also bringing additional quality of life benefits to your employees who use these systems regularly.
Upgrading now will also save you the headache of scrambling to update all your machines at once when the October 14, 2025 Windows 10 end of life date arrives. By proactively planning for the upgrade now, you’ll get a better understanding of your hardware compatibility, be able to budget for potentially necessary upgrades, and plan the upgrade strategically.
Need Help Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
At ITque, we understand that upgrading the operating systems of your computers can seem like a daunting and even confusing task. That's why we make it our business to take the fear out of upgrading your IT infrastructure.
ITque’s Upgrades and End of Life Cycle services can help you evaluate your current systems to see how they measure up to Windows 11 requirements, and make any upgrades that you may require. Our professional services will also minimize downtime and disruption, so that you can keep on conducting business as usual while your systems get the upgrades they need.
Even if you’ve outgrown your equipment completely, we can help you make the right decisions to future proof your business. We can even help you dispose of outdated equipment properly, including data wiping and recycling.
No matter what your IT needs are, ITque is ready to stand by your side and help you make the right calls.
Ready to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11? Contact ITque today and let us ensure your security and stability as you adopt the next generation of operating systems for your business.