On 14 October 2025, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10. The operating system still switches on and still works, which is exactly why so many businesses have quietly carried on as normal. But "it still works" and "it's safe to keep using" are two very different things, and the gap between them widens every month.
If your business is still running Windows 10 on some or all of its machines in 2026, this is the practical guide to what that actually means and what to do about it, without the scaremongering.
What "end of support" really means
End of support does not switch your computers off. What it stops is the thing that quietly kept them safe: updates. From October 2025, Windows 10 no longer receives:
- Security updates that patch newly discovered vulnerabilities;
- Bug fixes and reliability improvements;
- Technical support from Microsoft.
Every time a new Windows 10 vulnerability is found from now on, and they will be, it simply stays open. Attackers know this, which is why end-of-life operating systems are consistently among the most heavily targeted.
Why this is a business problem, not just an IT one
It's tempting to file this under "something for IT to sort out eventually." For a business, the risks are broader than a slow laptop:
- Security. Unpatched machines are the easiest way into a network. Ransomware and malware overwhelmingly exploit known, unpatched vulnerabilities, precisely what an unsupported OS leaves wide open.
- Cyber Essentials & compliance. The Cyber Essentials scheme requires all software, including the operating system, to be supported and receiving security updates. Running Windows 10 after end of support can cause certification to fail, a problem if you need it for contracts or tenders.
- Cyber insurance. Many policies require systems to be supported and patched. Insurers can reduce or refuse a payout if a breach traces back to an out-of-support operating system.
- Data protection. The UK GDPR requires "appropriate technical measures" to keep personal data secure. Knowingly running unsupported software undermines that, and the ICO has been clear that unpatched systems are a recognised risk.
- Software compatibility. Over time, browsers, line-of-business apps and security tools drop support for Windows 10, so things stop working as well as becoming unsafe.
Your four options
1. Upgrade eligible PCs to Windows 11 (usually free)
If a PC meets Windows 11's hardware requirements, upgrading from a licensed Windows 10 is free and the best long-term answer. The requirements that catch most machines out are TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot, plus a supported 64-bit processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. As a rough rule of thumb, business PCs bought from around 2019 onwards are often eligible; older ones frequently are not.
2. Buy time with Extended Security Updates (ESU)
Microsoft's ESU programme provides critical security updates for Windows 10 beyond end of support, a paid bridge rather than a fix. For organisations it can run for up to three years, but the cost typically rises each year, so it's best used to buy breathing room for a planned migration, not as a destination. Crucially, the clock is already ticking: the first year of cover runs out around October 2026.
3. Replace ageing hardware
For machines that can't meet the Windows 11 requirements, replacement is the sensible route, and often overdue. Spreading this across the fleet, or using a Device-as-a-Service model to turn a capital outlay into a predictable monthly cost, makes it far easier to budget. It's also the moment to right-size: not everyone needs the same spec.
4. Do nothing
Not a real option for any business that cares about security, compliance or its insurance position. The risk only grows, and the eventual scramble, usually after an incident, is far more expensive and stressful than a planned migration.
How to find out where you stand
The first practical step is simple: work out which of your machines can move to Windows 11 in place, and which need replacing. Microsoft's free PC Health Check tool will tell you for a single device, but across a fleet of mixed-age hardware that quickly becomes a job in itself, and the results need turning into a plan and a budget.
That's exactly the kind of work our Managed IT team handles every day. As part of our service we'll run a device-readiness audit across your estate, tell you plainly which PCs upgrade and which to replace, and build a phased plan that fits your budget and avoids disruption, including the Windows 11 rollout, Microsoft 365 alignment, hardware procurement and the ongoing patching and security that stop you ending up here again. We're ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certified and Cyber Essentials–ready, so it's done properly.
Don't let the deadline drift
The hardest thing about the Windows 10 deadline is that nothing dramatic happened on the day, which makes it easy to keep putting off. But the risk is cumulative, ESU only delays it, and the businesses that handle this calmly are the ones planning now rather than reacting later. A short audit today turns an open-ended worry into a clear, costed plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Windows 10 support end?
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. The operating system still runs, but it no longer receives security updates, bug fixes or technical support.
Is it safe to keep using Windows 10 in 2026?
It's increasingly risky. Any new vulnerabilities stay unpatched, making those PCs prime targets for ransomware, and it raises compliance, cyber-insurance and data-protection concerns for a business.
Can my PC upgrade to Windows 11 for free?
Yes, if it meets the requirements, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, a supported processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. Many machines from before around 2018–19 don't qualify and will need replacing.
What are Extended Security Updates (ESU)?
A paid Microsoft programme that provides critical security updates for Windows 10 beyond end of support. It's a temporary bridge to buy time for migration, and the cost typically rises each year.
How do I find out which of our PCs need replacing?
A device-readiness audit checks every machine against the Windows 11 requirements. Mastercopy offers this as a free first step, call 01642 750404 to arrange one.
Still on Windows 10? Let's turn it into a plan. Call Mastercopy on 01642 750404 or email sales@mastercopy.co.uk to book a free device-readiness audit.