Windows 10 support has ended – Here’s what it means for your business

Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025.

From now on, devices running Windows 10 will no longer receive regular security updates or fixes through Windows Update – unless you’re enrolled in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme.

That means if you’ve not already, you need a plan. To stay protected and compliant you need to either migrate to Windows 11 or enrol in ESU (only Windows 10 devices on version 22H2 are eligible).

Why you should update from Windows 10 now

Keeping your operating system up to date closes the window of opportunity for attackers. When updates stop, known vulnerabilities stay unpatched, and they only grow with time.

When you stay on an unsupported system, you’re at higher risk and that makes compliance harder and increases the pressure on other parts of your security (like network defences, monitoring, and compensating mitigations) to pick up the slack.

It can also affect certifications such as Cyber Essentials or ISO Standards as they quire your systems to be supported and regularly patched.

The risk of staying on Windows 10

Devices that don’t receive security updates can quickly become an easy target. Attackers can exploit know vulnerabilities to:

• Disrupt your operations
• Steal or encrypt sensitive data
• Move across your network

All of these can lead to downtime, higher incident response costs, and reputational damage. And for IT teams, unpatched endpoints make managing and containing vulnerabilities more complex and costly.

How attackers exploit outdated systems

It usually follows a similar process. A vulnerability is discovered, an exploit is developed to trigger it, and attackers use it to run malicious ode or move through networks.

Out-of-date systems make this much easier, especially those running services like file sharing or remote desktop access.

Real world example: In 2017, a Windows’ SMB (file sharing) protocol was used to launch WannaCry, ransomware attack that spread globally in hours and caused major disruption across industries. That exploit, known as EternalBlue, targeted unpatched Windows systems.

What you should do next

1. Audit your devices
   Make a list of all devices running Windows 10. Record their versions and patch levels.
2. Plan your upgrade
   If possible, migrate to a supported operating system like Windows 11. Test key applications for compatibility first.
3. If you can’t upgrade yet
   Join Microsoft’s ESU programme for continued updates, and apply compensating controls such as:
   1. Tight network segmentation
   2. Disabling unnecessary services
   3. Enhanced logging and monitoring
4. Backup and test
   Make sure you have secure, tested backups and a working recovery plan before making large-scale changes.

What you need to remember

With the rising threat of cyber attacks, unsupported software is a risk you can’t afford to take. The longer you wait to update, the wider the gap in your defences.