Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Here is what that means for your business, your options now (Windows 11 or Extended Security Updates), and how IT Solutions Technology Partners helps you migrate.
Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, which means Microsoft no longer provides security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for it. Businesses now have two real paths forward: upgrade to Windows 11, or enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU) as a temporary paid bridge while you migrate. IT Solutions Technology Partners helps you assess your devices, plan the transition, and migrate with minimal disruption.
What does Windows 10 end of life mean now?
Windows 10 reached its official end of life on October 14, 2025. Microsoft has stopped delivering security patches, feature and bug-fix updates, and official support, so the version each device was on at that date is its final version unless it is upgraded. Devices still running Windows 10 continue to work, but they no longer receive the protection that keeps them safe.
For businesses, the practical effects compound over time: growing security risk as new vulnerabilities go unpatched, potential compliance gaps for regulated organizations, and eventual compatibility issues with new applications and hardware. Continuing on an unsupported operating system is a business risk, not just a technical one.
What are your options now that Windows 10 is unsupported?
There are three paths after end of support, and for most businesses the decision is between the first two.
| Option | What it is | Best for | Key consideration |
| Upgrade to Windows 11 | Move to Microsoft’s current, fully supported OS | Most businesses | Requires Windows 11-compatible hardware (including TPM 2.0); some older devices need replacement |
| Commercial ESU | Paid, security-only updates for up to three years | Businesses that need more time to migrate | Per-device cost escalates each year; a temporary bridge, not a destination |
| Stay on unsupported Windows 10 | Keep running with no updates or support | Not recommended | Security and compliance exposure grows continuously |
The clear long-term answer is migrating to Windows 11. ESU exists to buy time for organizations that cannot move every device before the risk becomes unacceptable.
How do you upgrade to Windows 11?
Upgrading to Windows 11 is the most straightforward path, because it is built on the familiar Windows 10 foundation, and an in-place upgrade can leave existing applications and files in place. The key is confirming readiness before you begin:
- Check device eligibility. Confirm each device meets Windows 11 hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0. Some older devices will not qualify and may need to be replaced.
- Verify software compatibility. Check that your key applications have Windows 11-compatible versions. Most mainstream software works, but confirm any business-critical or specialized apps before you commit.
- Build compatibility checks into your plan. Fold eligibility and compatibility checks into your audit, budget, and schedule so issues surface early rather than mid-rollout.
What are Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU)?
Extended Security Updates (ESU) are a paid Microsoft program that delivers only critical and important security updates for Windows 10 version 22H2 after end of support. ESU does not include new features, general bug fixes, or technical support, and Microsoft is explicit that it is a temporary bridge while you migrate to Windows 11, not a long-term solution.
For businesses, commercial ESU is available through volume licensing for up to three years beyond the October 2025 end-of-support date, priced per device on an escalating annual scale:
- Year 1 (Oct 15, 2025 to Oct 13, 2026): about $61 per device
- Year 2 (through Oct 2027): about $122 per device
- Year 3 (through Oct 2028): about $244 per device
The price roughly doubles each year by design, to encourage timely migration. Organizations that wait and enroll in a later year generally must also purchase the earlier years retroactively, so delay increases cost. ESU is available at no additional charge for Windows 10 virtual machines running in Azure, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Windows 365. Separately, Microsoft has said it will continue providing security updates for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 through October 2028.
For most businesses, commercial ESU is the relevant path. Consumer ESU is not available for devices that are domain-joined, Microsoft Entra-joined, or enrolled in an MDM solution, which describes most managed business fleets. Microsoft’s consumer ESU program, for eligible personal Windows 10 version 22H2 devices, runs through October 12, 2027 and can be enrolled at no cost by syncing PC settings, for 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or for a one-time $30 charge, but it does not cover typical business devices.
How do you plan a Windows 10 migration?
A successful migration is a structured project, not a single install. IT Solutions Technology Partners recommends working through these steps:
- Conduct an IT audit. Find every instance of Windows 10 across the organization and build a triage hierarchy that prioritizes critical systems.
- Create an upgrade schedule. Sequence the work so you can estimate the time and resources each phase needs.
- Estimate hardware and software costs. Categorize upgrade expenses so you can prioritize spending and manage the budget.
- Account for labor and downtime. Include the labor and the temporary productivity impact of upgrading each system.
- Invest in employee training. Prepare staff for the new environment so the transition does not disrupt daily work.
Coming to the table with a few basics speeds this up: how many devices you have and which are still on Windows 10, the tools your team cannot work without, any security or compliance rules you are subject to, and any busy season you would rather avoid. Industry requirements matter here too, for example HIPAA and secure EHR access in healthcare, client confidentiality in legal, SEC, FINRA, and GLBA obligations in financial services, production uptime in manufacturing, and grant or donation constraints for nonprofits.
Why does running unsupported software put your business at risk?
Running any out-of-support software exposes your business, because once a product reaches end of life it stops receiving the security patches that close newly discovered vulnerabilities. Attackers actively target the window after an end-of-life date, knowing those systems will never be fixed. This is the same lesson earlier Microsoft end-of-life events taught, and it applies to Windows 10 today.
The risk is not only security. Unsupported systems can put regulated businesses out of compliance, and they can force a rushed, unplanned migration if a device fails or an installation becomes corrupt, which is far more disruptive than a planned upgrade. Staying current, whether that means Windows 11 or supported Microsoft 365 apps, keeps both your security posture and your compliance standing intact.
How does IT Solutions Technology Partners support your migration?
IT Solutions Technology Partners is a managed IT and cybersecurity provider, founded in 1994, that helps businesses in regulated sectors like healthcare, legal, and financial services migrate off Windows 10 while staying secure and compliant. A successful upgrade is more than installing new software, so ITS manages the full process:
- Assess devices, licensing, and compatibility
- Build a phased migration plan that fits your business
- Maintain compliance and security throughout the process
- Minimize disruption with expert guidance
- Support your team at every step
To map your upgrade path, contact IT Solutions Technology Partners at 1.866.PICK.ITS (1.866.742.5487).
Frequently asked questions
Has Windows 10 support ended? Yes. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft no longer provides security updates, bug fixes, or technical support, so devices still on Windows 10 grow more exposed over time unless they are upgraded or covered by Extended Security Updates.
Do I have to upgrade to Windows 11 immediately? Not immediately if you enroll eligible devices in Extended Security Updates, but ESU is a temporary, paid bridge whose cost rises each year, so migrating to Windows 11 remains the goal. Planning early gives you more control over timeline, budget, and testing.
What are Windows 10 Extended Security Updates, and how long do they last? ESU delivers only critical and important security updates for Windows 10 version 22H2, with no new features or technical support. For businesses, commercial ESU is available for up to three years beyond the October 2025 end-of-support date, at a per-device price that escalates each year.
Will my computer run Windows 11? Windows 11 has hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0, so some older devices may not qualify and could need replacement. A device audit is the fastest way to confirm which machines are eligible for an in-place upgrade and which need new hardware.
What happens if I keep using Windows 10 without ESU? The devices keep working, but they receive no security updates, which steadily increases the risk of malware, breaches, and compliance violations. For most businesses, that growing exposure outweighs the cost of migrating or enrolling in ESU.