Microsoft Windows 10 End of Life: What does it mean for your business?

After ten years of being the go-to operating system for many companies worldwide, Windows 10 is beginning to reach the end of its lifespan. This means that it will no longer receive any updates, and will no longer be officially supported by Microsoft.

Of course, Windows 10 will still be useable even after its end of life. But, what does that actually mean for your business? How will you be affected by this change, and what do you need to do to make sure you’re prepared for the challenges that come with moving away from Windows 10?

Infinigate has got you covered on every front. In this article, we’re going to go over what you can expect with Windows 10 End of Life, as well as the steps you need to take to ensure you don’t get stranded by this massive change.

The Impact of Windows 10 End of Life

End of Life (EOL) is the stage of a software’s lifespan where it stops receiving updates and support from its provider. For Windows 10, October 14th, 2025, will mark the end of official support for the operating system. This means there will be no new security updates, quality-of-life updates, bug fixes, or general support for the platform.

This is massive for any business. After all, there are a lot of repercussions that you’ll need to consider if you’re a business that runs on Windows 10. While you can still use the operating system, lots of things are going to change, which will ultimately impact your business going forward.

Here are some of the main things that you’ll need to consider.

• Security: Security is a massive concern here. After all, when Windows 10 reaches its end of life, there will be no security enhancements or updates. This means that you’ll never receive new protection and that you’ll ultimately remain vulnerable to new exploits without any chance of them becoming patched or fixed.
• Compatibility: As Microsoft moves away from Windows 10, so will developers. This means that new applications and software may eventually stop being compatible with Windows 10, and existing software may become unable to receive new updates. In and of itself, this is also a security risk.
• Functionality: Ultimately, a lack of updates means no new features, which means you will miss out on new ways to improve productivity.

But, this isn’t going to be an instantaneous change. These issues will arise over time, and so you might find everything is fine at first. This is why it’s vital to be aware of these aspects, if you choose to use Windows 10 going forward, these are the challenges you will face.

Why Upgrade to Windows 11: Key Features and Business Benefits

While Windows 10 has served businesses well for over a decade, Windows 11 introduces a range of enhancements designed to improve security, productivity, and employee experience. Moving to Windows 11 isn’t just about staying supported, it’s about taking advantage of a much more modern operating system built for today’s hybrid work environments.

Here are some of the most compelling features of Windows 11:

• Enhanced Security by Default
  Windows 11 was designed with a security-first mindset. Features like TPM 2.0 support, Secure Boot, and hardware-based isolation provide a stronger security foundation. These baseline features help reduce the risk of ransomware attacks and ensure that business devices meet the latest compliance standards.
• A More Streamlined, Modern Interface
  Windows 11 brings a revamped user interface that’s quieter, cleaner, and more intuitive. This includes the new centred Start menu, improved taskbar, and redesigned system tray, all enhancing usability and helping reduce cognitive load for users switching between tasks.
• Snap Layouts and Snap Groups
  Productivity takes a leap forward with new multitasking tools such as Snap Layouts, Snap Groups, and virtual desktops. These allow users to quickly organise windows and workflows in a way that matches their working style, ideal for power users or those juggling multiple tasks.
• Deeper Microsoft 365 and Teams Integration
  Windows 11 is tightly integrated with Microsoft 365 tools and Microsoft Teams, making it easier for teams to collaborate straight from the desktop. For businesses already using Microsoft 365, this means seamless access to shared files, calendars, and meetings without needing to jump between applications.
• Improved Performance and Battery Life
  Under the hood, Windows 11 includes optimisations that offer faster wake-from-sleep, more efficient memory use, and longer battery life for mobile devices. These performance gains are especially useful for employees working remotely or on the go.

Navigating Operational Challenges Post-Windows 10

There is a plethora of reasons to upgrade to Windows 11. But, how should a business take action to make sure that they have a path forward? 

The first challenge is upgrading. After all, the aforementioned issues mean that there is no choice but to move forward to Windows 11. There is no room to cut corners on security for a business.

However, it’s important to make sure that the rest of your organisation is also prepared for this. There are a few challenges that you can expect:

• Software: You need to make sure that your software is all compatible with Windows 11. Most software should be, but it is important to test applications, ensuring that any legacy software is made compatible, and ensuring that all software is documented so nothing gets lost in the move.
• Upgrading: Upgrading is a whole process, so making sure you undertake the process correctly is vital. This means upgrading each machine, and ensuring that you’re aware of what machines in your business are unable to be upgraded. On top of this, you’ll need to backup to avoid issues during the upgrade process.
• Training: Users may need training on the new software, meaning that you need to run user training and ensure there’s clear communication on what changes employees can expect. 

Upgrade Paths

The main, obvious upgrade path is upgrading to Windows 11. Windows 11 is the next operating system and is Microsoft’s answer to the needs of the modern employee. Sticking with Windows 11 will help keep familiarity with your users, as well as make the transition simple.

However, there are other options.

• Alternative operating systems: You could switch to an alternative operating system, like Linux or MacOS. However, this means learning a new (and possibly more complex) operating system and having to work out which operating system meets your needs.
• Extended Security Updates: If you want to stay on Windows 10 past its end-of-life date, you can take advantage of Windows 10 Extended Security Updates. These are paid updates that will give you an extended duration of security updates, meaning you can stay with Windows 10 for a little longer. However, this is meant with the goal of eventually transitioning to Windows 11.

The Role of Managed Services in the Transition

A managed service provider is here to support you and ensure that you have everything that you need when moving past Windows 10.

By partnering with a managed service provider, you’ll have a trusted partner that will help you find the best options for your organisation, as well as ensuring that you’re not only prepared but also able to implement your preferred solution correctly. 

Plus, a managed service will ensure that your systems are maintained in the long term, meaning you don’t have to worry about maintenance.

How Infinigate Can Help

Windows 10’s end of life is a very important change that most businesses should be aware of and prepared for.

If you’re looking to get started with Windows 11, or need support making the transition from Windows 10, reach out to us today. We’re here to help and will ensure that you have support throughout the whole process, and afterwards too.

Get in touch with our experts now, and see how we can help.