Time for an Upgrade: Your Options as Windows 10 Goes EOL
You’ve heard us say it before: The end of Windows 10 is near. On October 14, 2025, Microsoft is ending support for its widely used Windows 10 operating system.
While your Windows 10 computers won’t turn into pumpkins in October, Microsoft will stop rolling out security updates, bug fixes, and product support. Without the security of regular patches, that leaves Windows 10 devices more vulnerable to threats, and ultimately, it puts organizations still using the old OS at greater risk for a compromise.
Feels like we’ve been waiving this flag for a while? That’s fair! But, with October just around the corner 90 days left until Windows 10 winds down, the time to make your plan is now.
The good news? You’ve got options. But, not all are created equal.
Option 1: Replace Outdated Hardware
We know replacing a load of PC’s might not be the most exciting line item in your budget. But, in many cases, upgrading to new devices is the smartest long-term investment.
New PC’s come pre-loaded with and optimized for Windows 11, whereas many older machines will struggle to carry the load of a modern OS — more on that in a second! You’ll get better performance right out of the gate. Today’s machines are faster, more energy efficient, and more reliable, which is especially important with the high demands the average knowledge worker places on their computer these days. With today’s PC’s, you won’t have to work through the compatibility quirks or hiccups that come with trying to shoehorn Windows 11 onto hardware for which it wasn’t designed.
If your current workstations are more than a few years old, this is a great opportunity to consider upgrading them. It’ll boost your team’s productivity and reduce downtime, creating a much better and more seamless work experience for your people.
We understand that, for many companies, this represents a significant investment. If you’re worried about spending all that money at once, fret not. There are lots of great financing offers available to make that investment more manageable, and they’re easily tailored to each company’s specific needs.
Option 2: Upgrade to Windows 11
If your current PC’s are only a few years old and compatible with Windows 11, you can upgrade the operating system of your existing PC’s to Windows 11.
However, Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including the need for current-gen chips and processers. This means that older machines will not be eligible for OS upgrades, and aging machines that are more than a handful of years old may struggle to run Windows 11. (If you need help determining whether your fleet is eligible, just reach out — we’re happy to help!)
While this option won’t work in all cases, for some, OS upgrades offer a simple and secure path forward.
Option 3: Purchase Extended Security Updates (or ESU’s)
Upgrading to Windows 11 is definitely the best option but, for some organizations, it may not be feasible. While few and far between, some legacy softwares aren’t yet compatiple with Windows 11, or some require more involved updates to be rolled out in order to make them compatible. In these cases, Microsoft has a temporary patch to give these organizations a little more runway.
Microsoft is offering paid Extended Security Updates (ESU’s) for Windows 10 through October of 2028. These updates cover critical security fixes to Windows 10 machines, but nothing else — no new features, performance boosts, or improvements. For Windows 10 machines awaiting upgrade, ESU’s offer a layer of security in the meantime.
ESU’s provide the most important kind of updates (security updates), but without bug fixes and enhancements, these aging PC’s will suffer in terms of reliability and performance.
So, what’s the right move?
If we had to pick one recommendation for most businesses, it would be to invest in modern hardware. Upgrading your OS alone can work in certain cases, and ESU’s can buy you time, but neither offer the same efficiency upgrades and lasting value as current, up-to-date PC’s.
And remember: You don’t have to go at this alone. We’re here to help you map out your upgrade plan and guide you every step of the way. If you need a hand, just drop us a line.