Microsoft has declared end of life for Windows 10 from October 14, 2025. After this date, the operating system will no longer receive security updates, marking time for businesses to migrate to Windows 11.

But despite the risks, many organizations haven’t made the switch yet. As of December 2024, over 62% of devices worldwide were still running Windows 10, according to Statcounter. There are multiple reasons for delaying upgrading to the latest version. Some firms are finding their hardware isn’t compatible with Windows 11 and many don’t have the budget to upgrade, while others struggle with time constraints, given that employees need a teething period to get used to doing their jobs using the updated OS.

So, what issues are preventing the upgrade to Windows 11 and what options are available to make the process easier for IT leaders?

Staying on Windows 10

Experts tell ITPro that staying on Windows 10 is not an option in the long term. As of October, Microsoft will no longer provide software updates, technical support, or critical security patches for Windows 10. This milestone also marks the end of support for Microsoft 365, Office 2016, and Office 2019, says Steve Prescott-Jones, UBDS Digital managed services director.

For organizations still relying on Windows 10, Prescott-Jones says this creates “significant risks”, including exposure to malware, ransomware and other cyber threats. “Without these updates, businesses may also face operational inefficiencies and compliance challenges that could disrupt day-to-day activities,” he adds.

If you work in a regulated industry, using unsupported software could land you in trouble during audits – or even lead to fines, says Kier Nolan, head of managed services at Cobweb.

Operational downtime is another risk. Security breaches or technical failures could cause unnecessary downtime and stress, says Nolan. “For businesses, ignoring the end of life deadline could mean risking data security and losing the trust of customers.”

Source: https://www.itpro.com/software/windows/windows-10-end-of-life-how-to-prepare-for-the-deadline