Windows 10 reached the end of Microsoft support in October last year, which means – unless you’re splashing out on ESU – it no longer gets essential security updates.
The computers still work, but any new weakness found in Windows 10 will never be fixed, which makes them easier to attack and can cause you big problems with GDPR compliance and cyber insurance.
What “end of support” means
Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. If your organisation is still running it, and plenty are, your computers aren’t getting the security updates you need.
When Microsoft ends support for a version of Windows, the updates stop. That means Windows 10 no longer gets the monthly patches that fix newly found flaws, quality updates, feature updates, or technical support.
Everything still turns on and works like normal, which is exactly why it’s easy to put off doing anything about it. The trouble is, the longer you stay on Windows 10, the more security holes pile up that nobody is ever going to fix.
Attackers and security researchers are constantly finding and exploiting new holes, and now nobody’s patching them. So, every new flaw that turns up is another way into your computer.
Why this is a real risk for your business
This is about more than an old, slow computer.
- They’re an easy target. Attackers go looking for computers running software that doesn’t get fixed because they know the flaws just sit there inviting them in. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre points out that holes in unsupported products are consistently exploitable, often by fairly low-skilled attackers
- You can fall out of compliance. If you handle card payments, health records, or personal data, rules like PCI DSS and HIPAA expect you to run supported, patched software. Windows 10 no longer counts, which can mean you are failing to comply with UK legislation
- It can hit your cyber insurance. Insurers are asking more and more whether your systems are supported and patched. Running an unsupported operating system can push your premium up, shrink your coverage, or give the insurer a reason to dispute a claim
- Your other software will drop it. Over time, browsers, accounting tools, and other programs stop supporting Windows 10, so the apps you rely on every day can stop updating or could stop working altogether. CISA (The US government cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency) puts running supported, updated software on its short list of the most basic security steps for businesses.
Your three options
You’ve really got three options, and most businesses end up mixing them across their organisation.
Upgrade to Windows 11 (free, if the hardware qualifies)
If you bought the PC in the last few years, upgrading to Windows 11 is free, and it’s usually the right move. The catch is the hardware. Windows 11 needs a supported processor, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot, and that rules out a lot of older machines. To check whether a particular PC qualifies, run Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app.
Buy Extended Security Updates as a bridge
If a PC can’t move to Windows 11 yet, Microsoft will sell you Extended Security Updates (ESU) to keep the security patches coming for a while longer. For businesses, that’s around £60 per device for the first year, and it doubles every year after that, up to three years. Keep even just one PC on Windows 10 and you’re looking at more than £400 for those three years per one device. ESU gives you security patches and nothing else. No new features, no real tech support. It’s not ideal but it could buy you time whilst you sort out a more permanent upgrade or a new machine.
Replace the PC
Some machines are just too old for Windows 11 and not worth paying ESU on year after year. For those, buying a new PC that already runs Windows 11 usually works out cheaper, once you add up the ESU fees and the cost of keeping an old machine going.
How to plan the move
You don’t have to do all of this at once, but you do need a plan. A sensible order looks something like this:
- Make a list of every computer still on Windows 10.
- Check which ones can move to Windows 11, using the PC Health Check app or your IT provider.
- Upgrade the ones that qualify. It’s free, and it keeps your files and programs in place.
- For the rest, choose between ESU to buy time or replacing the machine, depending on how old it is and what it’s used for. Your IT provider can run that inventory quickly and tell you the best option for each machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows 10 still safe to use after October 2025?
It still works, but it’s not getting security updates anymore, so the risk creeps up as new flaws are found and left unpatched. If you’re going to keep using it, either enrol in Extended Security Updates or plan your move to Windows 11.
What happens if I keep using Windows 10 and do nothing?
Your PCs will keep running, but they turn into an easier target for attackers, can put you out of compliance with payment and privacy rules, and may cause problems with your cyber insurance. Over time, the apps you depend on will start dropping Windows 10 too.
Can my PC upgrade to Windows 11 for free?
If it meets the hardware requirements, yes. Windows 11 needs a supported processor, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot. The PC Health Check app will tell you whether a specific machine qualifies, and PCs from the last few years usually do.
Should I just buy a new computer?
If a PC can’t run Windows 11, a new one is often cheaper than paying escalating ESU fees for years on top of running aging hardware. If it can upgrade, start with the free Windows 11 upgrade.
If you’d like some support
If you need further advice, more information, or could do with a little support deciding your next move – just get in touch.
We’re here to help.
You can reach us on 01223 903 800, hello@grace.solutions, or book a time for a call online with our top techs at: https://calendly.com/hello-gsl/mtg-25min.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press