By Matthew Coleman
As a managed IT services provider we often find ourselves having discussions with clients on the lifecycle of their hardware. We are finding that more frequently now, we are discussing End of Life (EOL) of applications and operating systems. The most recent discussions surround the end of life for the Windows 10 operating system. In this post, I aim to clarify what the end of life means for Windows 10, the implications for businesses, and the steps you should consider taking.
What is End of Life (EOL)?
End of life refers to the point in time when a software product is no longer supported by the vendor. For Windows 10, Microsoft has announced that it will officially reach its end of life on OCTOBER 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for the operating system.
What are the implications for businesses?
1. Security Risks
The most significant implication for EOL is the increased security risk. Without regular updates, systems running Windows 10 will become more vulnerable to cyber threats. This is a critical concern for businesses that handle sensitive data or are highly regulated.
2. Compliance Issues
Many industries are subject to compliance regulations that require up-to-date software. Continuing to use Windows 10 post-EOL could lead to the business falling out of compliance and potential penalties or fines.
3. Compatibility Challenges
As hardware and software manufacturers update their products, compatibility with outdated operating systems can become a challenge. This can lead to loss of productivity, downtime, and frustration.
How do you prepare for the transition?
The transition to Windows 11 may be easier for some. The first thing you need to do is identify all of your devices running Windows 10. Once you have identified the devices you need to check to see if they are capable of being upgraded to Windows 11 or if they need to be decommissioned and replaced. Microsoft has made it fairly easy to tell if your device can support Windows 11. There is an app for that! Microsoft has created the PC Health Check app.
On your Windows 10 device go to Settings > Check Hardware Requirements and download the PC Health Check app.
One of the system requirements you will need to look for is does your current device support Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 (TMP 2.0)? You will need a minimum of 1 gigahertz processor, 4 GB of RAM, and at least 64 GB of storage. Remember, if your device barely meets these specifications it will upgrade to Windows 11 but may run slow.
Whether you can upgrade your current device to Windows 11 or if the device needs to be replaced your best bet is to be proactive. With the October 2025 deadline coming upon us there will be a flurry of hardware purchases for the devices that could not be upgraded. We know from the past experience of the Windows 7 EOL that the supply chain for PCs can get stressed causing delays in shipping and receiving of the devices. Of course, if you have any questions or need assistance with your IT strategy, please feel free to reach out.
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