Important News: Microsoft will NO LONGER support Windows 10 after October 2025! While these PCs will still work after the official end date of October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide product-key free services that keep your device working properly and securely. These services include:
- Security updates
- Non-security updates
- Technical support
Why Is This Important For Business Owners?
- Security Risks: Without regular updates, your computer will become more vulnerable to viruses, malware, and hackers. This could put your business data at risk, which is why upgrading to a newer version of Windows is crucial.
- Software Compatibility: Many software programs are updated regularly to work with the latest operating systems. After Windows 10 reaches its end of life, some of your favorite programs might not work as smoothly or could stop working altogether.
- Compliance Issues: If your business deals with sensitive information or follows strict regulations, using an outdated operating system could lead to compliance issues. It’s important to stay current to avoid potential fines or legal problems.
What Are Your Options?
Microsoft encourages users to migrate to the latest version before the end-of-life date. This can present challenges for some PC owners, as not all devices currently running Windows 10 are compatible with Windows 11. If you try to upgrade one of those PCs to Windows 11, but the device does not meet the stringent hardware requirements of the new software, you’ll encounter an error message.
If your device isn’t compatible with Windows 11, you have a few options. You can:
- Buy a new PC that is compatible
- Pay for Microsoft’s Windows 10 security updates (available for up to three years but no longer free!)
- Switch from the Windows operating system to Linux
- Try to upgrade “incompatible” PCs, using a technical loophole
- Ignore the deadline and put your business at risk (we do NOT recommend this one!)
Whatever you decide, make sure to back up your data! Before making any changes, always back up your important files. This ensures that nothing gets lost during the upgrade process.
Planning Ahead
It’s important to be proactive about the transition. There has been some discussion that Microsoft will extend the deadline, but that’s not a strategy you want to bet your business on. You don’t want to wait to act until you’re out of options and your business is at risk because you no longer have security protection.
The best step is to work with your IT provider to determine what option makes sense for your organization. If your computers are fairly new, paying for ongoing security updates might make sense. If your devices are older and nearing the end of their life anyway, new PCs could be the way to go. An experienced IT team or a tech consultant can help you with the upgrade process. They can make sure everything runs smoothly and minimize any downtime for your business.
If you’re looking for someone to guide you in making the right decision, get in touch with our team to schedule a FREE 15-minute Discovery Call. During this quick conversation, we’ll be able to map out the next steps to take to start transitioning to Windows 11 efficiently. To schedule, call us at 773-800-7544 or click here.