Are you facing increased business and security risks?
Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. The Windows 10 end-of-support deadline is fast approaching, and it carries significant consequences for businesses. Once support ends, Windows 10 devices will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance from Microsoft.
Companies that continue running Windows 10 past this date will face heightened security risks, potential compliance violations, and operational setbacks. In the sections below, we outline the critical security, compliance, operational, and productivity risks of remaining on Windows 10 after its end-of-support deadline—and why upgrading to Windows 11 is a strategic imperative.
The Countdown to Windows 10 End of Support in 2025
Every technology has a lifecycle. After ten years, Windows 10 is reaching its end-of-life. The end of support for Windows 10 means that Microsoft will no longer provide patches or updates. Hackers are aware of this timeline. They often save exploits for after a product’s support ends, when vulnerabilities won’t be patched.
As of October 14, 2025, any new security gap discovered in Windows 10 will remain unaddressed. In practical terms, this leaves organizations open to known exploits and new attacks with no official fixes forthcoming. Business leaders must recognize this deadline as a hard stop for safe usage of Windows 10. Proactive planning to upgrade or replace Windows 10 systems is essential to avoid being caught off guard when support ceases.
Security Risks After Windows 10 End of Support
Running an unsupported operating system greatly increases cybersecurity risk. Once Windows 10 reaches the end of support, organizations will receive no security patches for new vulnerabilities. This creates an open season for cyber attackers. Unpatched systems are a leading cause of breaches. The global average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million in 2024, and this figure is expected to continue rising. A single successful attack on an outdated Windows 10 machine could cost millions in downtime, lost data, and reputational damage.
Modern attackers also target firmware and hardware-level vulnerabilities. Windows 11 was engineered to combat these advanced threats. Upgrading to Windows 11 significantly improves security with features like built-in Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 support, virtualization-based security, and advanced threat protection.
Microsoft reports Windows 11 Pro devices saw a 62% drop in security incidents and 50% faster workflows on average after organizations upgraded. In short, Windows 11 provides a substantially more secure foundation. By contrast, clinging to Windows 10 after end-of-life (EOL) means operating with known weak links. The absence of security updates turns each Windows 10 PC into a potential entry point for ransomware or data theft.
Compliance and Legal Implications of Using Outdated Systems
Continuing to run Windows 10 after its support cutoff isn’t just a technical risk—it’s a compliance risk. Data protection regulations and industry standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, require organizations to maintain secure and up-to-date systems. Regulators have made it clear that using unsupported software can violate these obligations.
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has explicitly warned that running operating systems past end-of-support can be considered a failure to meet required security measures. In previous cases, companies were fined the maximum amount under pre-GDPR law for using outdated, unpatched systems. Under GDPR’s tougher regime, such fines could be far higher for today’s businesses.
Real-world enforcement underscores the stakes. In one incident, a UK business faced a £4.4 million fine after a breach, partly because it was using outdated software systems that left it vulnerable. The UK Information Commissioner, John Edwards, stated that if a company “doesn’t update software… you can expect [a] fine from my office”.
This is a stark warning: ignoring the Windows 10 end-of-support deadline could expose your organization to regulatory penalties in the event of an incident. Beyond fines, compliance failures erode trust among clients and partners. Maintaining supported, secure systems is now a baseline expectation for doing business in regulated industries. Upgrading to Windows 11 helps ensure your IT environment stays within compliance and avoids the legal pitfalls of running outdated software.
Operational, Productivity and Security Risks of Sticking with Windows 10
Relying on Windows 10 after it’s no longer supported can also disrupt your operations and undermine productivity. Without Microsoft support, any new issues or bugs will not be fixed. If a critical system error or incompatibility arises on Windows 10, your IT team will have limited recourse. Downtime could stretch longer because you cannot call on Microsoft for help or expect a patch.
Third-party software vendors are also phasing out support for Windows 10. Future versions of essential business applications may not be compatible with Windows 10 post-EOL, leading to integration problems or the need to use outdated app versions.
Outdated systems also tend to slow down over time and cannot leverage modern hardware optimizations. Employees using unsupported Windows 10 PCs may experience increased crashes or performance issues, which can hinder their productivity. In contrast, Windows 11 is optimized for speed, efficiency, and modern workflows.
New features (improved multitasking with Snap Layouts and deeper Microsoft 365 integration) help users work smarter and faster. Sticking with aging Windows 10 machines means missing out on productivity gains that come with modern software. It can also hurt morale and innovation—teams struggle more with legacy technology while competitors forge ahead with new tools.
Key operational risks of remaining on Windows 10 after end of support include:
- No vendor support: Microsoft and software vendors will no longer address Windows 10 issues, leading to potential prolonged outages if problems occur.
- Compatibility problems: New hardware, peripherals, and software updates may not work properly on an unsupported operating system, causing integration headaches.
- Higher maintenance costs: IT teams spend more time on workarounds and security monitoring for legacy systems, diverting resources from strategic projects.
- Lost productivity: Users on unsupported systems face more glitches and cannot utilize Windows 11 improvements that save time and enhance efficiency.
For a forward-thinking business, these operational drawbacks carry real financial costs and opportunity costs. Upgrading to Windows 11 eliminates many of these frictions by providing a stable, well-supported platform for your infrastructure and users. It ensures your technology keeps pace with your business needs rather than holding them back.
Strategic Business Alignment: Upgrading to Windows 11 as a Smart Investment
Modernizing your fleet from Windows 10 to Windows 11 isn’t just an IT task to minimize security risks—it’s a strategic business move. Cybersecurity resilience, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence are board-level concerns. Addressing the Windows 10 end-of-support proactively aligns with these broader business goals. Upgrading to Windows 11 demonstrates a commitment to protecting sensitive data, maintaining trust with customers and partners, and enabling your workforce with up-to-date tools.
From a security standpoint, Windows 11’s enhanced protections translate directly into reduced business risk. Fewer security incidents mean less chance of costly breaches and less disruption to your operations. In terms of compliance, migrating to a supported operating system demonstrates to regulators and clients that your organization adheres to best practices and due diligence in IT security.
Operationally, standardizing on Windows 11 enables IT departments to focus on innovation rather than addressing issues with obsolete systems. Employees benefit from a modern user experience, which can boost morale and efficiency. All these factors contribute to a stronger competitive position and a higher return on investment (ROI) in the long run.
Planning the upgrade now can save money compared to reacting later. The cost of an unplanned emergency response (after a security incident or sudden incompatibility) far exceeds the investment in a smooth, scheduled upgrade.
Microsoft’s introduction of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 (at high cost and for a limited time) underscores that paying extra to stretch an old OS is a short-term bandage. The smarter strategy is to put those resources toward a permanent solution by moving to Windows 11.
Mitigate Your Security Risks: Next Steps and Call to Action
Business executives should treat the Windows 10 end-of-support deadline as a top priority, akin to any major regulatory or security mandate. Now is the time to act. Organizations need to inventory their Windows 10 assets, assess hardware readiness for Windows 11, and develop a migration timeline well ahead of October 2025. This transition presents an opportunity to enhance overall cybersecurity and IT infrastructure. Many companies pair OS upgrades with hardware refresh cycles and new security deployments to maximize the impact.
Your IT team does not have to tackle this alone. Coretelligent’s upgrade and cybersecurity services are available to ensure a seamless and secure transition. As a managed IT and security provider, Coretelligent can help your organization plan, execute, and optimize the migration to Windows 11. Our experts will assess your environment, remediate any compatibility issues, and implement best-in-class security practices during the upgrade process.
We understand the challenges and stakes for CIOs, CISOs, and CTOs in this situation. Our team will work with yours to minimize downtime, protect your data during the transition, and tailor the rollout to your business needs. Don’t wait until Windows 10 end-of-support is only weeks away. By acting now, you can avoid the last-minute scramble and prevent exposure to unnecessary risk. Upgrading to Windows 11 is an investment in your organization’s security, compliance, and productivity that will pay dividends for years to come.
While the Microsoft deadline is October 14, 2025, we recommend starting the process by August 31st, 2025, to avoid any hiccups and make sure your business is ready.
Contact Coretelligent today to develop a proactive upgrade plan and fortify your IT estate for the future. We’re here to help you turn this necessary change into a strategic advantage.