Does The Age of Your Software Matter?
The Update with John, Edition 1
By now, you’re probably very aware that Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 in October of this year. But, what you might not know is that Windows 10 is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to software that’s being retired.
The Windows operating system is the most visible piece of software, because that’s what people interface with on a daily basis, but in reality, sunsetting software is a constant battle that those of us in the IT community are fighting.
In the remainder of 2025, there are several other major software pieces coming out of support (separate from those called “Windows 10”) including:
Microsoft Office 2016 & 2019 (office productivity software)
Microsoft Exchange 2016 & 2019 (email hosting server application)
Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 & 2022 (software development software)
Adobe Acrobat 2020 versions (PDF creation / editing software)
VMware vSphere / ESXi 7 (server virtualization software)
This list of programs kept companies running for many years. So, it’s not always easy to separate from old versions: The costs of change aren’t easy to budget for, processes are deeply ingrained in the DNA of the company, and often, users resist giving up their old comfortable software.
Change is hard — and it’s expensive. So why do it? There are four main reasons.
Security — The number one reason to make sure our systems and software are running modern versions is because of security. When software vendors retire their aging versions, they stop releasing vulnerability updates for that old software. These days, threat actors are looking for any foothold they can find to get their hooks into an environment, and sometimes, all it takes is an outdated piece of software to do that.
Compliance — With all of the many requirements that come with advanced compliance protocols like HIPPA or CMMC, it’s no surprise that it’s required that all software be modern, supported versions. It actually goes further than that — every compliant company should also have a cyber insurance policy. Staying up to date on your systems is an important element of staying in compliance with that annual questionnaire you filled out. If you were to ever need to cash in on that insurance policy, an outdated Windows install lingering could be the difference between an insurance payout and a denied claim.
Disruption— Technology continues to march forward, and with new advancements in technology that could also bring along compatibility issues between old software and new hardware. This could be bugs that cause applications to crash or just pieces of software that aren’t optimized to run on modern architecture, causing them to lag behind and reduce productivity.
Innovation — New versions come with new features that you could be missing out on if you’re stuck in2016. Employees know the technology that’s out there, and you don’t want your expensive talent to be frustrated working on aging systems without the newest tools or latest AI tools.
Ultimately, staying current isn’t just about keeping up with trends; it’s about protecting your organization and your future. Upgrading can be complex and difficult, but the risk of standing still and letting technology pass you by is far greater.