How Do I Manage the Windows 10 End-of-Life at My Company? The Quick Take
The Windows 10 Operating System will stop being supported by Microsoft as of October 14, 2025. Companies who continue to run this operating system will lose out on all the benefits Windows 11 offers, including the ability to run AI-enabled tools like Copilot, Power BI, and more. They’ll also run the risk of serious security lapses as patching and maintenance from Microsoft will no longer be offered. Now is the time to put a transition plan into place, including:
- Upgrading PCs and any other devices on your system that do not have sufficient computing power to run Windows 11. This could be a significant lift for many organizations. More than 240 million PCs worldwide are estimated to become obsolete as a result of this system upgrade from Microsoft.
- Deciding on which new Windows operating system will be best for the employees and their usage needs: Windows 11 Pro vs. Windows 11 Enterprise vs. Windows M365 Cloud
- Deploying the new devices, including all onboarding and inventory processes through IT
- Distributing the proper Windows 11 training materials through your human resources and corporate communications departments
- Revising your written IT plans, policies, and procedures to accommodate the new operating system change
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Time’s Up to Prepare for the Windows 10 End of Life
When Windows 11 Operating System was officially released on October 5th, 2021, it was hailed as a big step forward for the Windows platform, promising enhanced security measures, a redesigned user interface, and more. Unfortunately, this tech leap also required a significant hardware upgrade to run the new platform.
For many companies running older machines, this was a minor inconvenience. They delayed the update and found workarounds to keep their older machines running. If this was your strategy, you’ve reached the end of the line. Windows has officially announced that it will discontinue support for its Windows 10 Operating System, effective October 14, 2025. This means that after this date, Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates to fix its bugs or offer Technical Support from Microsoft in any way.
You’re not alone if you’ve been on the fence about addressing this upgrade. Windows 10 End of Life (EOL) is expected to significantly impact IT budgets worldwide. In fact, recent estimates predict Windows 10 EOL will force 240 million PCs into immediate obsolescence.
With all this in mind, the time for companies to address this issue is now. This article is designed to help you think through your exposure to the Windows 10 EOL and what it will mean to your device inventory, IT strategy, and budget for 2025. Keep reading for a breakdown of everything you’ll need to do to ensure a smooth transition for your company.
Timeline and Impacts of the Windows 11 Transition
End of Support Date: October 14, 2025
The official end-of-support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will cease all updates and support for the operating system
Microsoft’s Modern Lifecycle Policy requires customers to stay current with updates and servicing to remain supported. The policy ensures users benefit from the latest security features, performance improvements, and innovations.
What Happens If I Don’t Upgrade My Systems?
If you’ve neglected to transition your devices to Windows 11 by October 14, 2025, significant impacts will occur, including:
Loss of Security Updates and Technical Support
Once Windows 10 reaches its end of support, the platform will no longer receive security updates or technical support from Microsoft. If you’re still running Windows 10 past the cutoff date, you’ll be running a system with no patches or security fixes. When inevitable problems emerge with your system, there will be few options for fixing it and no Windows-based support from Microsoft.
Potential Vulnerabilities and Security Risks
If you’re running an “unsupported system,” you’ve just made your company a prime target for cybercriminals. They know from the start that they can exploit your system for any of a long list of well-known, unpatched vulnerabilities. Smaller companies with fewer cybersecurity protections in place are particularly vulnerable. The likelihood of financial losses, reputational damage, and legal liabilities will become much more likely.
Losing out on the New Options Windows 11 Offers
As with any significant system upgrade, Windows 11 will be the springboard to all future innovations and updates. Your Microsoft platform must be current if you’re interested in some of Microsoft’s newer tools, like the Copilot AI engine. You’ll also need the update to ensure all your other cybersecurity tools and protections are working correctly, as all your tools are interdependent.
What Kind of Hardware Can Run Windows 11?
Windows 11 requires more processing speed, storage, and security protocols than previous iterations. Here’s what that looks like.
Hardware Requirements and Compatibility for Windows 11
Upgrading to Windows 11 requires meeting specific hardware requirements. These include:
- A compatible 64-bit processor with at least 1 GHz clock speed and 2 or more cores
- 4 GB of RAM or more
- 64 GB or larger storage device
- UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability
- TPM version 2.0
- DirectX 12 compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver
- A high-definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
Ensuring your current hardware meets these requirements is crucial for a smooth transition.
Examples of Incompatible Devices for Windows 11
Intel Processors
- Intel Core i7-7700K
- Intel Core i5-7600K
- Intel Core i3-7100
- Intel Core m3-7Y32
- Intel Core i7-7820HQ
AMD Processors
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600
- AMD Ryzen 7 1700
- AMD A10-9700
- AMD FX-8370
How to Determine If Your Devices Are Compatible with Windows 11
Of course, the above list of incompatible devices isn’t comprehensive. The best way to know whether your devices are compatible is to have a thorough system assessment done.
There are, however, shortcuts available. Microsoft has a PC Health Check app that will allow you to check each device for compatibility. Here are instructions on how to use it:
- Visit the Download Page: Go to the PC Health Check download page.
- Download and Install: Follow the prompts to download and install the app.
- Run the App: Once installed, open the app to check your device’s compatibility with Windows 11.
The PC Health Check app will help you determine whether your current hardware meets Windows 11’s requirements and recommend upgrades.
What Benefits Will Windows 11 Bring My Company?
Up to now, we’ve talked exclusively about the risks associated with your transition to Windows 11. The benefits of Windows 11 make all the headaches of the transition worth it.
Windows 11 offers several benefits that can enhance security and productivity for small and medium-sized businesses, including:
- Enhanced Security: Windows 11 includes advanced security features such as hardware-based isolation, encryption, and malware protection. Integrating Microsoft Defender and other security tools helps protect against modern threats.
- Productivity Features: Windows 11 introduces a more intuitive and streamlined user interface, improved virtual desktops, and better integration with Microsoft Teams. Features like Snap Layouts and Snap Groups help users organize their workspace more efficiently.
- Performance Improvements: Optimizations in Windows 11 lead to faster boot times, improved battery life for laptops, and overall better performance.
What Are My Alternatives to Installing Windows 11?
At Integris, we rarely recommend dragging your feet on scheduled end-of-life-related upgrades. However, we understand there are often extenuating circumstances that might delay or alter your upgrade plans. If your business is facing this, you have two options: purchasing extended security updates for up to three years or migrating to the cloud.
Let’s take a closer look.
Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10
For businesses still waiting to transition to Windows 11, Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10. This program provides critical security updates for up to three years after the end of the support date. While this option allows more time to plan and execute the transition, it comes with additional costs and is intended as a temporary solution.
Keep in mind that you do not have to enroll all your devices in this program—just the ones not transitioning. There is no minimum number of devices needed to enroll in this program. It’s important to know that while you’ll get the security updates, Microsoft will not offer any tech support for these machines.
Here’s where to learn more: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/extended-security-updates
Migrating to Windows 365 (Cloud PC)
Windows 365 offers a cloud-based solution that allows businesses to stream a Windows experience from the Microsoft cloud to any device. This option provides several advantages:
- Scalability: Easily scale up or down based on business needs.
- Flexibility: Access your Windows environment from anywhere, on any device.
- Security: Benefit from the security features of the Microsoft cloud, including regular updates and backups.
We recommend Microsoft 365 regularly to our customers and use it ourselves for our corporate offices. The benefits of cloud-based productivity software are numerous—especially the auto-update features of this cloud-based technology.
If you’re interested in making this switch, a comprehensive system assessment will be necessary to make sure you’re considering:
- How the shift will affect your cybersecurity tools
- Your disaster recovery and backup plan. You will need to look at cloud-based backups for your cloud systems. While Microsoft offers this, there will be parts of your system that will need additional backups.
- Your written IT/cybersecurity policies, plans, and procedures and how the switch will affect them.
How Much Will a Windows 11 Upgrade Cost My Company?
As with most IT questions, the answer is: it depends.
As of this writing in 2024, Windows 10 and Windows 11 license costs are the same. However, factors could make the upgrade a net extra expense in your IT budget.
Here are some of the factors that could cause changes in your IT spending.
- How many new PCs/Devices will I need to purchase? As we’ve discussed, this upgrade may make many devices obsolete. This can be a substantial expense depending on the number of devices and their use-case needs.
- Are there devices I can’t upgrade immediately that require extra Windows 10 security update support? Hopefully, this won’t be the case. But if you’re caught in this situation, you must factor that expense in.
- Will I need an outside IT assessment? A large internal IT department may be able to analyze your inventory and licenses and conduct a thorough assessment. However, many busy IT departments won’t have the personnel and time to perform the required thorough review. Build the strategic planning expenses and project management costs into your equation.
- Will I need help planning, deploying, and onboarding the new upgrades? If you work regularly with a managed IT provider like Integris, you’ll need to discuss this with your MSP team. Find out if this kind of management work is included in your retainer or part of a larger bank of work requiring a one-time project fee.
- Should I transition part of the organization to Windows 365 and another to Windows 11? Sometimes, mixed-use cases make the most sense. For instance, if you have office staff that could benefit from M365 with Copilot and factory floor devices that work best with Windows 11, this will also affect your calculations. If you go with this model, you’ll also want to factor in the impact on your cybersecurity and backup, as they may need to be managed differently for each.
Will an Upgrade to Windows 11 Save My Company Money?
In the short term, the answer to that question is probably no. However, the long-term benefits offer many cost-saving opportunities. With Windows 11, you’ll enjoy:
- Reduced Security Risks: Enhanced security features in Windows 11 can help prevent costly data breaches and cyberattacks.
- Increased Productivity: Improved performance and productivity features can lead to more efficient workflows and better employee output.
- Lower Maintenance Costs: Newer hardware and software typically require less maintenance and support, reducing ongoing IT costs.
Your Options for Upgraded Windows Licenses
Windows 11 Pro vs. Windows 11 Enterprise vs. Windows M365 Cloud
The license level you choose will depend on the size of your company and its needs. This chart breaks down the differences in their capabilities. Discuss with your IT team and/or MSP which license works best for your team members. Keep in mind— mixing and matching is often the best route to only paying for the capabilities you need.
What Steps Do I Need to Take to Manage a Windows Upgrade?
A successful transition from Windows 10 to a new operating system requires careful planning and execution. This list will help you decide how to allocate your internal and consulting resources to implement this change. Here are the key steps.
Step One—Conduct a Thorough Assessment of your Current IT Infrastructure
Conduct a thorough assessment of your current IT infrastructure. Identify which devices meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11 and which will need upgrades or replacements. Your MSP can be invaluable for this task, especially if they already have their hand in your inventory management, onboarding, and offboarding.
Now is the time to evaluate each application in your system for compatibility with the new Windows operating system. Look for any issues with functionality, performance, or integration. For applications that are not compatible, check if updates or patches are available from the vendor. If not, consider alternative applications that offer similar functionality and are compatible with the new OS or create custom workarounds.
Remember to engage with software vendors for support and guidance on making their applications work with the new operating system. Many vendors provide resources and tools to assist with this process.
Step Two—Develop a Detailed Timeline for the Transition
This should include critical milestones such as hardware procurement, software installation, testing phases, and final deployment. Consider what resources you will deploy to handle each gate in the timeline. If you’re paying for extra IT resources like consultant time, now is the time to get estimates and determine roles.
Step Three—Create a Budget
Prepare a budget covering all transition aspects, including hardware, software licenses, IT support, and training costs.
Step Four—Implement Pilot Testing in Advance of Rollout
To ensure your upgrade won’t create problems in your existing systems, implement a pilot program to test the new operating system on a small group of devices. This will help identify potential issues and allow for adjustments before a full-scale rollout.
Step Five—Deploy the Upgrade Across Your Organization
Execute the deployment in phases to minimize disruption. Start with non-critical systems and gradually move to more critical ones, ensuring each phase is stable before proceeding.
Step Six—Train Employees on New Systems
Training is crucial to ensure staff can use the new operating system effectively and take advantage of its features. Consider creating the following tools:
- Communications Rollout—Consult your human resources and/or communications divisions to determine how to notify employees about the new system changes and activation protocols.
- Training Programs—Develop comprehensive training programs tailored to different user groups within the organization. These can include online tutorials, in-person workshops, and hands-on training sessions.
- Documentation—Provide detailed documentation and user guides that cover everyday tasks and troubleshooting tips.
- Support Resources—Establish a support system where employees can get help. This could include a dedicated helpdesk, online forums, and access to IT support staff.
Are You Looking for a Partner to Help You with Your Windows 11 Upgrade? Integris Can Help.
As a Microsoft gold-level partner, Integris has deep expertise in helping companies manage smooth licensing implementations. We can also help you manage your onboarding, offboarding, and system monitoring over the long term. We’d love to help you with this transition. Contact us for a free consultation at integrisit.com/contact.
