What Happens When Windows 10 Support Ends? 

Are you ready for October 14, 2025? This is the date that Microsoft has announced for ending support for their Windows 10 OS. It may seem far away but delaying your response could cause significant roadblocks for your operations and business. Without acting, you’re exposing yourself to security breaches, compliance issues and operational disruptions. 

By the end of this post, you’ll know the consequences of ignoring this deadline, what to do to make the transition smooth and why outsourcing the migration will save your business from unnecessary headaches. 

What Happens When Windows 10 Support Ends? 

No More Security Updates: 

End of support for Windows 10 means Microsoft will stop issuing security patches. This leaves your business open to Hackers are looking for vulnerabilities in outdated software. Social engineering attacks such as ransomware, malware and phishing attacks will surge, putting sensitive data at risk. How would a security breach affect your business? 

Imagine a confidential data leak or an outage of mission critical systems. The financial risks and  reputational headaches you will be dealing with could be devastating to your business. Small to midsized businesses (SMBs) and larger enterprise organizations alike will need to know the cybersecurity implications of an expired OS. 

Furthermore, specific industries such as finance, healthcare, legal and retail have strict compliance requirements and failing to keep software up to date could mean big fines or severe reputational damage. 

Non-Compliance with Industry Regulations 

Many industries have strict requirements for information security. For example, healthcare providers risk non-compliance with HIPAA which demands up to date security measures to protect patient data. Similarly, financial institutions must comply with PCI DSS standards to ensure transactional security and legal sectors have confidentiality obligations that require strong data protection measures. 

Running Windows 10 after support ends will put you at risk of being in breach of these terms. Regulatory fines, audits and potential litigation are very real consequences. Can your business take the hit? 

Operational and Productivity Disruptions 

The impact of running an older, unpatched OS isn’t limited to security risks. Outdated systems often struggle with compatibility issues especially as new software applications and hardware updates roll out.  

Your employees can run into disruptions and decreased productivity and morale. When Windows 10 support ends, your tech team may become overwhelmed with support requests due to software crashes and compatibility issues. Do they have the capacity to handle this demand?  

Proactive planning avoids disruptions and keeps your team productive and happy. Get in touch. 

Steps to Prepare for This OS Upgrade 

Audit Your Current IT Infrastructure 

Start by auditing your IT infrastructure.  

Check if your hardware and systems meet Windows 11 requirements. Identifying potential compatibility issues early on will save you costly surprises later. If your hardware is not up to par, you may need to change your device. 

Next, you must audit your fleet of softwares. Some apps critical to your business might need updates or replacements to work seamlessly with the latest OS. Have your team or IT provider verify compatibility before the official migration. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to fix other vulnerabilities and inefficiencies during this audit. This proactive approach will improve overall system performance and security and position your business for future technology advancements. 

Budgeting for Your Windows Upgrade 

Upgrading your OS is an investment that needs to be budgeted out.  Remember to factor in hardware replacements, software licenses and third-party consulting or IT costs.  

Consider the Windows 10 extended security updates (ESU) as an interim solution if you are on a tight timeline. However, these come at a premium and only offer limited time coverage so you will still need to budget proactively for a full migration. 

Proper budgeting and clear financial planning will reduce unexpected costs and give clearer expectations to stakeholders and leadership teams. 

Developing a Windows Migration Strategy 

You will need a highly structured approach to your migration. Start with outlining a clear timeline and a phased approach to minimize any disruption. Communicate with your employees so they know why the migration is taking place and their expectations. 

Consider starting only with a smaller team or department first. A phased approach will allow you to address any unforeseen issues before the full deployment. It will also allow you have a strong backup plan in place to minimize any risks associated with data loss or corruption during migration. 

Regular status updates and feedback sessions will keep stakeholders informed and involved and reduce resistance to change and ensure smoother adoption across the business. 

Why Outsource Your Windows Migration 

• Managed IT Providers for Seamless Migration: 
  Outsourcing your Windows migration to an IT MSP will simplify the entire process. You’ll get the experience, tools and resources to get the upgrade done quickly and with minimal disruptions. To put it simply, outsourcing allows your team to focus on what they do best 
  MSPs will maintain your fleet of hardware and software, infrastructure audits and comprehensive migration planning. They are equipped to anticipate and manage potential issues proactively. Why stretch your internal IT capabilities thin when outsourcing offers specialized expertise? 

• Better Cybersecurity Management: 
  MSSPs in Canada such as ours will tend to offer more advanced cybersecurity protection during and after migration. They will monitor systems, address any security gaps and eliminate threats as they arise. You will also benefit from regular updates and threat intelligence which will keep your IT infrastructure resilient to evolving cyber threats. 
  By partnering with an MSP your business gets robust security frameworks and advanced threat detection technologies. They will actively protect your business from ransomware attacks, phishing attempts and data breaches. 
  Being proactive about your cybersecurity posture reduces your business’s cyber risk profile and enhances stakeholder confidence and regulatory compliance posture. See why our clients across Ottawa (Canada) choose DNSnetworks to upgrade their OS from Windows 10 to Windows 11. 

 
Read More:  Windows 10 End of Life: Why It’s Time to Partner with a Managed IT Provider 

• Industry-specific Requirements: 
  MSPs often have industry specific knowledge for regulated sectors like healthcare, finance, legal and retail. They know the industry compliance standards and how to meet them during the migration. 
  In healthcare MSPs ensure HIPAA compliance during migration. In finance providers manage PCI DSS requirements. Legal and retail businesses get MSP expertise in protecting client data and maintaining business continuity during upgrades. 
  Using an MSP’s industry knowledge means technical success and ongoing regulatory compliance and risk management. 

Windows 10 End of Life is Approaching. Is Your Business Ready? 

Upgrading now safeguards your company against threats, operational downtime, and compliance issues. Protect your business’s future by taking proactive steps.  

Get in touch with our team today to begin your Windows 10 to Windows11 migration plan.