Windows 10 is one of the most used and popular Microsoft operating systems ever, but support for this operating system will end on October 14, 2025. It may seem strange to retire such a popular operating system, but Windows 10 was released to the mass market on July 29, 2015. It will turn 10 years old next year—an eternity in IT time!
Most software vendors sunset specific versions of their software for a variety of reasons:
That’s what’s happening with Windows 10. As a result, Microsoft is encouraging users and organizations to transition to Windows 11.
You might think, “Why should I care if Windows 10 support ends? As long as they don’t shut it off, I should be fine.”
Think of Windows 10 like having a 10-year-old car. You’re told that after October 14, 2025, no mechanic or car technician can provide maintenance or repairs on it anymore.
True, you can get by for a while by doing your own basic maintenance, such as oil changes. But let’s say you can no longer replace the tires, brakes, or car battery. It’s only a matter of time before the car wears down, introduces significant safety risks, and one day just stops working.
That’s how your life with Windows 10 will feel after October 14, 2025. While it would be nice to continue using Windows 10 past its expiration date and avoid the disruption of a large-scale upgrade to Windows 11, some severe problems will occur.
1. Microsoft will no longer provide security patches, opening you up to ransomware, malware, and cyberattackers from around the world.
End-of-life Windows operating systems become a ripe, ongoing opportunity for cyberattackers who relentlessly target its vulnerabilities with ransomware, malware, and other exploitations.
The most famous example was the WannaCry ransomware unleashed in May 2017 that ended up impacting 300,000 servers and computers around the world. Most of these devices used end of life Windows software. You will be in a similar situation with Windows 10 after October 2025.
2. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 functionality, opening the door to a wave of frozen, crashed, and slow computers.
A lack of Windows 10 support doesn’t mean just losing security patches. Microsoft will also no longer fix bugs and reliability issues—the kinds of issues where, if not patched, lead to server crashes, freezes, and failures. And the problem will only get worse over time. When more things break, you will lose more time.
Of course, while your IT staff or vendor can still troubleshoot when issues arise, you will be out of luck if something requires Microsoft’s intervention. The older an operating system gets, the more issues it will have. It’s inevitable that one of those issues will be its final demise because there’s no more manufacturer support.
If you wait until things literally break, then you will need to suddenly and unexpectedly replace software and possibly hardware and applications—in an unplanned, unbudgeted, and unpredictable fashion.
3. You could be out of compliance and experience substantial fines.
Many regulations and standards require the use of supported software to ensure data protection and cybersecurity. These include:
Various other standards and regulations in different industries also mandate the use of supported software. Non-compliance with industry regulations can result in substantial fines and legal action.
4. If a cyber incident happens and you need to file a claim, your cyber insurer could deny your claim.
If a cyber incident occurs and it is determined that the use of Windows 10 past its support date contributed to the breach, your insurer may reject your claim on the grounds of not adhering to required security protocols. Insurers expect policyholders to take reasonable steps to mitigate risks. Continuing to use Windows 10, despite known vulnerabilities, may be seen as a failure to mitigate risks, leading to claim rejection.
5. You may not be able to use new applications, as they won’t be compatible with Windows 10.
Thinking about getting a new application to help your organization? You may not be able to use it.
Software manufacturers stop writing new features for older operating systems. When you want to upgrade a software application but it’s incompatible with Windows 10, you are held back.
Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 involves several steps to ensure a smooth transition. Next steps include:
Questions about end of support for Windows 10 and its implications on your organization? Reach out to VC3 today.