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Windows 10 End of Support: What It Means for Your Business

Windows 10 reaches end of support on October 14, 2025. After that date, Microsoft will no longer provide security patches, bug fixes, feature updates, or technical support for Windows 10 (all standard editions). That means every unpatched vulnerability discovered from that day forward can put your organization at risk. Microsoft Support

Key facts at a glance

    • Date: Windows 10 support ends October 14, 2025. Microsoft
    • Final release: Windows 10, version 22H2 is the last Windows 10 feature update; there will be no 23H2/24H2, etc.
    • What stops: Security and quality updates, feature updates, and Microsoft’s technical support. Your PCs will still boot, but they will be increasingly exposed.
    • Microsoft 365 Apps: Will continue receiving security updates on Windows 10 through October 10, 2028, but running Office on an unsupported OS is not recommended.
    • ESU (Extended Security Updates): Paid option to keep receiving critical/important security updates for up to three years after Oct 14, 2025. Year 1 pricing for organizations starts at $61 per device (doubling each year); individual Windows 10 customers can purchase $30 for one year. ESU is included at no additional cost for Windows 10 VMs in Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop. (Devices must be on Windows 10 22H2.) Microsoft Learn

Why end of support matters to security, compliance, and operations

Rising security exposure

Unsupported operating systems are prime targets. Without monthly updates, new exploits remain unpatched—leading to malware infections, data breaches, and costly downtime. This is not hypothetical; it is exactly why Microsoft sunsets older platforms and strongly advises moving to a supported release.

Compliance & insurance implications

Many frameworks, contracts, and cyber-insurance policies require supported, patched software. Continuing with Windows 10 post-EoS can elevate premiums or violate control requirements. Microsoft’s own guidance is to upgrade or transition to Windows 11 (or eligible cloud options) for the most secure experience.

Operational risks

Line-of-business apps, drivers, and peripherals that rely on the Windows update cadence may encounter stability and compatibility issues over time. Microsoft 365 Apps may run through 2028 on Windows 10, but that doesn’t mitigate OS-level exposure. Microsoft Support

Your options (and how to choose)

Option 1: In-place upgrade to Windows 11 (preferred)

If your hardware is compatible, upgrade to Windows 11 for ongoing security and feature innovation. Minimum requirements include a 1 GHz+ 64-bit CPU with 2+ cores, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, UEFI/Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check to validate readiness, then plan staged rollouts with change control and user communications.

Good fit when: devices are Windows 11-ready; you want modern security hardening and a smooth support runway.

Option 2: Refresh devices that are not Windows 11-capable

Older hardware may not meet Windows 11 security baselines (e.g., TPM 2.0). In those cases, replacement can be more economical than carrying multi-year ESU costs while also dealing with aging hardware and lost productivity.

Good fit when: devices are >4–5 years old, failing Windows 11 checks, or due for lifecycle refresh.

Option 3: Use ESU to buy time (short-term bridge)

If you need additional runway for key applications or seasonal budgets, ESU provides critical/important security updates for up to three years post-EoS. Year 1 organizational pricing is $61/device (doubling in Years 2 and 3). Individuals can purchase $30 for one year. Devices must be on Windows 10 22H2 to enroll.

Good fit when: you must keep specific Windows 10 endpoints online while you complete testing, migrations, or hardware refreshes.

Option 4: Cloud PC / Virtualization

If you still need Windows 10 for a legacy app, run it virtually while your endpoints move to supported platforms. Windows 365 Cloud PCs and Azure Virtual Desktop include Windows 10 ESU at no extra cost, providing a secure bridge while you modernize. Microsoft Learn

A practical migration plan (for SMBs and mid-market IT)

1) Inventory & categorize endpoints

Create an authoritative device list: model, CPU, RAM, storage, TPM/Secure Boot status, OS build, key apps, and owner. Note which systems already run Windows 10 22H2 (the ESU prerequisite).

2) Readiness assessment

    • Run Windows 11 compatibility checks and remediate easy wins (TPM enablement in firmware, Secure Boot, RAM upgrades where appropriate).
    • Identify blockers (legacy apps, drivers, peripherals) and define workarounds (upgrades, app virtualization, or Cloud PC).

3) Decide per-device path

    • Upgrade to Windows 11 where compatible.
    • Replace devices that fail requirements and are near end of life.
    • Bridge with ESU for tightly-coupled systems that cannot move immediately. (Remember Year-over-Year ESU costs compound.)

4) Execute with guardrails

    • Back up user data and ensure account/device compliance baselines (BitLocker, local admin removal, EDR, conditional access) are documented and enforced post-upgrade.
    • Roll out in waves; pilot first with power users, then departmental cohorts.
    • Communicate user-facing changes (taskbar/menu behavior, app defaults) and provide quick reference guides.

5) Decommission safely

Wipe or repurpose retired devices following a formal asset disposition policy (data sanitation certificates, hardware recycling).

Frequently asked questions

Will my Windows 10 PCs stop working on October 14, 2025?
No. They will continue to run, but without security or quality updates, which increases risk over time. Microsoft Support

What if we use Microsoft 365 (Office apps)?
Microsoft 365 Apps will still receive security updates on Windows 10 through October 10, 2028, but Microsoft recommends moving to a supported OS to avoid reliability and performance issues. Microsoft Support

How much does ESU cost, and how long can we use it?
Organizations can purchase Year 1 at $61 per device (the price doubles each subsequent year, up to three years total). Individuals can purchase $30 for one year. ESU covers critical/important security updates only (no new features). Microsoft Learn

Does ESU require a specific Windows 10 version?
Yes. Devices must be on Windows 10, version 22H2 to enroll and receive ESU updates. Microsoft Learn

Our apps need Windows 10. Alternatives?
Use Windows 365 Cloud PCs or Azure Virtual Desktop. These services include ESU for Windows 10 at no additional cost, letting you keep critical workloads secure while you modernize. Microsoft Learn

How Accelerated Cloud Solutions can help

At Accelerated Cloud Solutions (acloudsol.com), we specialize in guiding SMBs and mid-market organizations through secure, low-disruption transitions:

    • Readiness & licensing assessments: Hardware compatibility, Windows 11 pathways, ESU cost modeling, and Microsoft 365 implications.
    • Upgrade & refresh projects: Imaging, application packaging, user data migration, security baselines (EDR, BitLocker, least-privilege), and post-cutover support.
    • Cloud PC & virtualization design: Windows 365 and AVD architectures that meet security and performance requirements—often faster to deploy than complex app rewrites.
    • Lifecycle and compliance alignment: Policies and documentation to satisfy auditors and cyber-insurance requirements.

Need a plan tailored to your environment before October 14, 2025?
Contact Accelerated Cloud Solutions to evaluate your options and execute a safe, cost-effective migration path—whether that is Windows 11 upgrades, device refreshes, short-term ESU, or a Cloud PC strategy. We are here to carry you over this hump with confidence.