Windows 10 End of Life: Everything Businesses Need to Know
Windows 10 has officially been declared “end of life” by Microsoft.
It may sound morbid, but it is a common term that has been used by Microsoft on many occasions as previous operating systems give way to new ones.
In this instance Windows 11.
Aware that this is an enormous change for many Australian businesses who have become accustomed to the Windows 10 operating system and invested significant time and money into its operation, we’ve decided to compile an article to explain exactly what Windows 10 “End of Life” means for your business and how you can best prepare.
What does Windows 10 “End of Life” mean?
When Windows 10 reaches its End of Life (EoL), this means that the current version of Windows 10, 22H2, will be the final version of the operating system and Microsoft will cease supporting the platform with any further updates or security measures.
In other words, while the software itself will still work after the EoL date, October 14, 2025, using Windows 10 will become a risky and unstable endeavour because it won’t offer protection against cyber-attacks, data breaches or other malware.
This change can cause a variety of problems for Australian businesses as they become vulnerable to:
- reputational damage
- operational disruptions
- potential financial losses
As a result, organisations must prepare for this shift as soon as possible.
To guide you, here’s some advice on what that might look like.
What’s next after Windows 10 EoL?
To avoid the risks associated with an outdated operating system, it is recommended that Australian businesses upgrade to Microsofts latest version, Windows 11, which since its release in 2021 has proven to offer several benefits, including:
- Improved productivity with a streamlined interface and Copilot integrations
- Greater protection against cyber security threats with secured-core PCs, and
- Increased accessibility features, offering a more inclusive Windows experience
In terms of adopting Windows 11, businesses have three core options:
- Upgrade all existing eligible devices to Windows 11 (please note computers over 3 years of age will likely experience performance issues)
- Purchase a new Windows 11 PC, or
- Move end users with Windows 10 devices to Windows 11 in the cloud using Windows 365.
But what if I am unable to pursue these Windows 11 options?
Though not ideal, if any of these three options are beyond your current budget or capabilities, there remains a fourth option: purchasing Microsoft Extended Security Updates (ESU).
Australian organisations who decide to continue using Windows 10 despite support ending on October 14, 2025, will have the option of enrolling their PCs into a paid ESU subscription (or receiving them for free if they are an existing Windows 365 subscriber).
This program enables users to continue to receive critical security updates through an annual subscription service after support ends, however, it excludes a wide variety of features and general support that were present before the Microsoft 10 EoL date.
For more information on this approach, expect to receive final pricing and enrollment information closer to the October 2025 date.
Other ways to prepare for Windows 10 End Of Life
Beyond migrating to Windows 11 in some capacity, or purchasing Microsoft Extended Security Updates (ESU), there are several additional steps to consider when preparing for Windows 10 EoL.
- Conduct a hardware assessment:
Not all of your current devices that are running on Windows 10 will be able to support Windows 11. So before committing to any changes, it’s crucial to assess your existing hardware and determine if any replacements are necessary and to guide your approach.
- Software compatibility:
In a similar sense, not all software that runs on Windows 10 will be compatible with Windows 11. To resolve this, identify all of your organisation’s critical applications and check if they will work on Windows 11 before making any necessary adjustments.
- Data migration:
Before the software update, important data will need to be backed up and safely migrated to the new system to avoid any data loss or other complications.
- Employee training:
The adoption of Windows 11 led to several adjustments to the operating system. Australian organisations should recognise this and conduct training and development sessions to familiarise employees with the new system.
- Speak to IT professionals
The transition from one operating system to another can feel a little overwhelming at times – that’s normal. So, if you want knowledgeable support through the whole process so you can be certain that everything is done right, then speak to IT solution professionals like us at Centrix.
Centrix are experts in helping businesses transition to Microsoft 11 to improve their processes and productivity.
We recognise that transitioning to a new operating system can be a daunting task.
But our team at Centrix is always ready – we help small businesses up to large corporate organisations succeed by managing, supporting and protecting critical IT infrastructure during your transition from Microsoft 10.
Backed by our extensive knowledge and expertise, Centrix is here to support your organisation with comprehensive solutions, as well as IT Connectivity and Collaboration Service Packages, Cloud IT, Cybersecurity Protection, Managed IT Services and other IT Solutions.
We also offer specific guidance around Microsoft 10 EoL and Microsoft 11 adoption and would love to help you find the right strategy for you or your business.
To learn more, contact us today.