The Windows 10 Deadline Has Arrived — What That Means Now

Dalton Dullaghan
Oct 14
4 min read

On 14 October 2025, Microsoft officially ended free standard support for Windows 10 — meaning no more free security updates, software fixes, or tech support for the majority of users.

If you or your organisation is still running Windows 10, this is a moment of reckoning. Here’s what you need to know — and what you can do to stay safe, compliant, and in control.

What “end of support” actually means

Your PC will still “work” — you can boot it, run applications, access files.
But once a new security flaw is discovered, Microsoft will no longer patch it for Windows 10 users (unless under special programme).
No more feature updates, no new drivers, no official technical support from Microsoft.
Over time, software vendors will shift focus to newer operating systems, so some apps or peripherals may cease to work properly.
In the UK and Europe, Microsoft has made a move: Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 have been made free (for one year) in the European Economic Area (EEA) — meaning you can still get security updates through to 13 October 2026 without paying.

That said, enrolling in ESU does not restore full support or add new features — it’s a “safety net,” not a long-term solution.

Why this really matters (risks & implications)

Security exposure increases: Without ongoing patches, newly discovered vulnerabilities become “open doors” for attackers. Especially in business environments, this can lead to data breaches, ransomware attacks, or network compromises.
Compliance & regulatory risk: Many sectors (finance, healthcare, legal, public services) require that systems be supported, patched, and up to date. Running an unsupported OS might put you out of compliance with standards like GDPR or industry regulations.
Compatibility and performance issues: Over time, new applications or updates will target Windows 11 (or newer). Drivers for hardware, peripherals, and even security tools may stop supporting Windows 10.
Support & maintenance burden: Any IT support provider will have to treat Windows 10 systems as “at risk” and may charge premiums for maintaining old, unsupported systems.
Limited breathing space: ESU gives you a cushion, but it is only a bridge, not a permanent fix. Eventually a full migration will be needed.

What are your options (and the pros & cons)?

Here’s a comparison of your main paths forward:

Option	What it involves	Pros	Cons / Caveats
Upgrade to Windows 11	Move your existing eligible PCs to Windows 11	Full ongoing support, security, feature updates; smoother long-term maintenance	Some older hardware won’t qualify; migration effort required; possible software incompatibilities
Use ESU (Extended Security Updates)	Enrol in Microsoft’s ESU programme (free in EEA for one year)	Keeps receiving critical security patches until October 2026, buys time for planning	Doesn’t restore feature updates or full support; still leaves you in a transitional state
Replace hardware / new devices	Buy new PCs with Windows 11 pre-installed	Future-proof, better performance, fewer migration issues	Costlier in short term; you still have data migration and retraining overhead
Switch OS / alternative platforms	Migrate to Linux, ChromeOS, or similar — if your apps can run or be replaced	Lower licensing cost, avoids being tied to Microsoft’s schedule	Major compatibility challenges, user retraining, migration complexity
Continue on Windows 10 (without ESU)	Do nothing, keep using as is	No immediate cost or disruption	High risk of attacks, unsupported system, mounting technical debt, possible business liability

Why extending support (via ESU or equivalent) can make sense — and when it doesn’t

✅ Advantages of extending support (temporarily)

Time to plan and execute properly: Migrating an entire fleet of machines carefully takes time — you don’t want to rush into breakage.
Maintain security during the transition: Even partial protection is better than none — ESU helps reduce the “blast radius” of vulnerabilities.
Smooth migration path: You can test upgrades, app compatibility, staff training, backup and restore without being on a ticking clock.
Compliance buffer: Gives breathing space to ensure regulatory / contractual obligations remain met temporarily.

❌ Disadvantages / risks of relying on extended support

Not a long-term solution: Eventually, you’ll still need to move off Windows 10. ESU only delays the inevitable.
No new features / improvements: You won't access the new security innovations or usability improvements in newer OSes.
Incremental cost / vendor burden: In some markets, ESU is paid. Also, support vendors may charge more to support legacy OS.
False security complacency: Organizations may defer the real migration indefinitely, accumulating technical debt and risk.
Diminishing returns: As fewer apps and drivers support the old OS, extending becomes less tenable.

What to do now — your next steps

Audit your estate: Identify which PCs / servers are running Windows 10. Check hardware specs, software dependencies, and critical systems.
Check upgrade eligibility: Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool (or equivalent) to verify if machines qualify for Windows 11.
Decide your migration path: Determine which machines can upgrade, which need replacement, which need special handling (e.g. legacy apps).
Enrol in ESU (if needed / eligible)Especially in the UK / EEA, ESU gives you a buffer to manage the migration safely.
Plan and pilot migration: Start with non-critical systems, roll out gradually, monitor, refine.
Communicate and train users: Make sure staff are aware of changes, backup policies, and any new UX features.
Retire / recycle old systems responsibly: Ensure proper data wiping, disposal, or recycling of decommissioned hardware.

A call to action — we can help you navigate this

The Windows 10 deadline is here, and many organisations are still playing catch-up. If you:

Are unsure whether your systems are eligible for upgrade
Need help planning and executing a migration
Want to assess whether ESU makes sense for you
Or want a full managed transition (including hardware, backup, testing, support)

Contact us today. We can carry out a free assessment, propose a roadmap, and guide you safely through this transition — with minimal disruption, maximum security, and full compliance.

Let’s make sure you don’t get left behind — reach out now, and we’ll help you step into a secure future.