Did you know that Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. If your business is still running it (and plenty are), your computers are not getting security updates anymore. Yes, everything still turns on and works like normal (which is exactly why it is easy to put off upgrading), the trouble is, the longer you stay on Windows 10, the more security holes are discovered and no one will fix them. So, what does it mean for your business, and what are your options? There are three:
- Upgrade to Windows 11.
- Pay for extended updates to buy some time.
- Replace the machine.
Let us explain what this all means and go through each of these options.
What does “end of support” actual mean?
When Microsoft ends support for a version of Windows, the updates stop. That includes the monthly security patches that fix newly found flaws. Microsoft has confirmed that since October 14, 2025, Windows 10 gets no more security fixes, quality updates, feature updates, or technical support. Your computers don’t stop working and nothing switches off or changes the moment support ends. What is different, is that Microsoft has stopped fixing Windows 10’s security flaws. But the bad guys don’t stop and they find new security issues, but now nobody is patching them. So, every new flaw that turns up is another way into your computers, and it never gets fixed.
Why this is a real risk for your business
This is about more than an old, slow computer, the real issues for your business include:
You fall out of compliance. If you handle card payments, health records, or personal data, compliance rules you to run supported, patched software. Windows 10 no longer counts, which can put you out of compliance.
Opening up for an easy target. Attackers go looking for computers running software that doesn’t get fixed anymore, because they know the flaws will just sit there. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre points out that holes in unsupported products stay exploitable, often by fairly low-skilled attackers.
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 fight 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 stop working altogether. CISA puts running supported, updated software on its short list of basic security steps for businesses.
Your three options
You have three options, and most businesses can mix the options across their computers.
1. 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 has upgrade security and that means it needs a supported processor, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. This rules out a lot of older machines. To check whether a particular PC qualifies, run Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app.
2. 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, Microsoft charge $US61 per device for the first year, and it doubles every year after that, up to three years. Keep one PC on Windows 10 the whole time and you’re looking at around $US427 over those three years.
Home users get a much cheaper deal. A one-time $30 payment covers up to 10 devices with security updates through to October 12, 2027. There is also a free option is you sign up with Microsoft and sync your PC settings.
But remember that ESU is not a long term fix. MS will provide security patches and nothing else. No new features, no real tech support. It’s there to buy you time while you sort out the upgrade or a new machine.
3. 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 generally works out cheaper, once you add up the ESU fees and the cost of keeping an old machine going. Plus, it will be faster, have more features and improved security!
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 like this:
- Make a list of every computer you have that is still on Windows 10. An even better option is to create an asset list of all your devices.
- Check which ones can move to Windows 11, using the PC Health Check app or via your IT provider.
- Upgrade the ones that qualify. It’s free, and it keeps your files and programs in place.
- For the others, choose between ESU to buy time or replacing the machine, depending on how old they are and what it is used for.
Contact your IT provider to run that inventory quickly and tell you about the best options for each machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows 10 still safe to use?
The computers will still work, but they are not getting security updates anymore, so the risk creeps up as new flaws are found and left unpatched. If you are going to keep using them, 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, cause you to be out of compliance with payment & privacy rules and may cause problems with your cyber insurance. Also, over time, the applications you use and depend on will start dropping Windows 10 too.
How much does Windows 10 ESU cost for a business?
For businesses, it’s $US61 per device for the first year and doubles each year after that, up to three years, which comes to about $US427 per device in total. Home users get a better deal: a one-time $30 payment covers up to 10 devices through October 12, 2027, or it’s free if you sync your PC settings.
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.
Who can I contact for help?