Windows 10 EOL Is Set For October 2025

Windows 10 is due to reach End Of Life (EOL) on October 14, 2025. Although we are less than five years away before the operating system reaches its end of life, there has been confirmation that Microsoft plans to replace Windows 10 with a new version — currently known as Windows 11. While there has not been a clear confirmation of when the move to Windows 11 will take place, a live stream event was held on June 24, unveiling the next generation of Windows.

Microsoft recently confirmed that Windows 10 version 21H2 will be released later this year. Windows 10 version 21H2 will serve as a feature update to Windows 10. With the future release of a new version of Windows 10, this could serve as an indication that current Windows 10 users may not have to make the transition to Windows 11 right away.

What is an End of Life?

In the technology world, ”end of life” means a product will no longer receive support. The vendor of the product has made the determination that the product has run its course and there will be no additional marketing and/or development for the product. Businesses and individuals who continue to use the product after its end of life will do so at their own risk.

The lifecycle of a product begins once it is released and ends when support will no longer be offered. When you are aware of the dates ahead of time, you will be able to make better preparations and keep your business secure.

Security

When Microsoft ends its support of Windows 10 in 2025, millions of computers and networks will become exposed to hacks, invasions, and other cyberattacks situations from cybercriminals across the world because Microsoft will no longer provide security and quality updates. No security updates for Windows 10 mean that any new breach will not be assessed or fixed if a new breach is detected. Devices running Windows 10 will be more vulnerable to viruses and malware. Running a business on the Windows 10 operating system after its end of life could pose a significant threat to confidential and sensitive data, possibly resulting in violations and fines.

Product Quality

Apart from security, after reaching its end of life, the quality of Windows 10 will be inferior to the newly released Windows 11. The quality of the system will not bad a high as Windows 11. Some software may not work properly or at all after Windows 10 reaches its end of life. Running Windows 11 machines after October 14, 2025 will impact productivity and quality of work. Windows 10 was released on July 29, 2015, and significant strides in technology have been made since that time.

What Can You Do To Prepare for Windows 10 End of Life?

Before making the transition to Windows 11, make sure you have a plan and a defence strategy in place that will meet the following criteria:

Perform an IT assessment

While the end of life for Windows 10 is still four years away, you can use this time to have your machines and infrastructure inspected. After the inspection of your infrastructure, you should make note of anything that raises a red flag. Windows 11 will not work on every system; keep a record of all the systems that will need to be updated or replaced with something better. The more systems you have on Windows 10, the sooner you will need to prepare for the EOL.

Review your data

After performing an IT assessment, you will then need to perform an assessment of your data. You will have to prioritize your data and determine which data is important. After determining which data tops your list of priorities, you will need to establish a solid plan that will enable you to successfully carry your data over from your Windows 10 systems to your updated Windows 11 systems. Your data will need to be protected during the transition process, and an IT services provider will ensure your data is kept safe and secure as you make the transition.

Know the timeline and create a budget

You do not have to make changes right away, nor do you need to make all the changes at once. You can create a detailed plan outlining the actions that need to be taken before October 2025. The sooner you put your plan together, the better. An IT service provider can help you determine the best course of action for your business. There will be no one-size-fits-all plan because every business is unique and has its own needs; you will need a detailed plan and budget that fits the needs of your business.

Prepare your staff

While the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 may not be the massive transition as past updates have been, we anticipate that Windows 11 will have an adjustment period. You should take the time to work with your staff and prepare them now so there will not be a major adjustment period that involves confusion when the time comes to update to Windows 11. User-based training may be needed for Windows 11 and the software that will be running on your systems.

Will you have to make the switch to Windows 11?

The latest software and operating systems are always recommended because it enables you to receive security updates and proper protection. When there are no security updates, your machines will be at risk for an array of vulnerabilities.

Risk of not upgrading to Windows 11

As mentioned previously, there are significant risks to not upgrading to Windows 11 once Windows 10 reaches its end of life. There will no access to critical security updates, which will open the door for breaches and significant downtime. Additional risks of not upgrading to Windows 11 include higher maintenance costs and compliance concerns.

If your business encounters problems with Windows 10, it can become rather expensive for your business or organization to continue operating because you will be responsible for your own support. Once support ends for Windows 10, it will become difficult for your business or organization to meet the compliance regulations that apply to your industry and your business.

Application vendors always make plans and preparations for Microsoft’s end of life, and many business-line applications will no longer be compatible with Windows 10. It is important to reach out to vendors so you can plan and implement your upgrade properly. Before migrating to Windows 11, it is critical to make sure your applications will be compatible with the new version. An analysis of your machines will ensure they are compatible with Windows 11.

Protect your business and begin making preparations as soon as possible. You do not want to be left without security updates or an operating system that is out of date. If you do not want to be caught off-guard by the transition to Windows 11, contact 365 Technologies today at 1-877-343-3155 and schedule your free consultation.