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On 14th October 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10. It will no longer release security patches, bug fixes, or updates for the operating system that still powers nearly half of the world’s desktops.
For mid-sized businesses, this is a moment of real cybersecurity risk. What happens over the coming weeks will shape not only your organisation’s security posture, but also your compliance standing, your IT costs, and even your reputation with customers and partners!
This is the reality business leaders and IT managers need to face.
Windows 10: Still Widely Used
Globally, Windows 10 is still installed on around 45% of desktops as of August 2025, compared to 49% running Windows 11.
A Canalys survey earlier this year revealed that 65% of UK SMBs had either no plan to upgrade or were unaware of the deadline. And while many devices can run Windows 11, ControlUp found that around one in four machines will need replacing entirely.
The Cybersecurity Fallout
Hackers are circling
Unsupported software is a magnet for attackers. Once patches stop, every new vulnerability becomes a permanent exploit. We saw this with Windows XP and Windows 7; attack campaigns increased dramatically once support ended.
A 2025 survey found that 32% of cyber incidents were linked to unpatched software. Combine that with the fact that half of UK businesses reported a cyber incident in the past year, and the risk of staying on Windows 10 becomes crystal clear.
Supply chain risk
The danger isn’t only internal. If one of your suppliers continues to run Windows 10, they could be the weak link that compromises your systems. Cyber Essentials guidance makes it clear: unsupported operating systems increase systemic risk across supply chains.
Ransomware and data theft
Ransomware groups actively scan for outdated operating systems. An unsupported laptop in a storeroom could provide the entry point for a breach that halts operations. The weakest device could become the most expensive mistake your business ever makes.
Compliance and Insurance Implications
For UK businesses, compliance is not optional. Running unsupported systems will undermine standards such as:
- GDPR: Failure to take “appropriate technical measures” makes breaches harder to defend legally.
- Cyber Essentials: Certification requires supported operating systems. Unsupported devices mean automatic failure.
- ISO 27001: Outdated systems compromise risk management and incident response obligations.
The financial consequences are twofold. Fines for non-compliance are one side. The other is that cyber insurers increasingly reject claims if outdated software is involved in an incident. That leaves businesses carrying the full cost of recovery, often running into millions.
The Cost Equation
Some organisations may be tempted by Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESUs). These start at around £23 per device in the UK and double each year until 2028. Globally, analysts predict this could generate over $7 billion in extra costs for enterprises.
At first glance, paying to delay might feel like an easy fix. But it is a short-term sticking plaster. Costs escalate quickly, and the business still carries the risk of running on a system with dwindling compatibility and efficiency.
By contrast, a managed upgrade to Windows 11 is an investment. It reduces long-term cost, improves security, and avoids the ballooning expense of ESUs.
The Operational Impact
The end of Windows 10 is not only about security. It has operational consequences that ripple through the business.
- Downtime risk: Unsupported devices that break cannot be fixed by Microsoft. Every outage hits productivity.
- Employee frustration: Staff lose confidence in systems that lag or fail, driving disengagement and support tickets.
- IT burnout: Small IT teams are stretched thin already. Supporting an outdated OS keeps them trapped in firefighting mode instead of enabling strategy.
So this is a business resilience issue as much as it is an IT problem.
Why Acting Now Protects the Business
The clock is ticking. The deadline isn’t a date to start thinking about a plan; it’s the point by which the transition must be complete!
Practical steps businesses should be taking right now include:
- Auditing every device to identify Windows 10 endpoints.
- Assessing hardware readiness for Windows 11 versus replacement. Individual users can check if their device is compatible using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. System administrators using Microsoft Intune can run a readiness report to evaluate fleet-wide upgrade paths.
- Phasing migration to avoid disruption, starting with pilot groups.
- Embedding security improvements into the migration project.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has urged businesses to move quickly, stressing that leaving systems unsupported exposes the UK economy to heightened risk.
How IT Naturally Helps Businesses Transition
At IT Naturally, we understand that behind every device is a person who needs to stay productive. Our role is to handle the transition in a way that strengthens security, supports compliance, and minimises disruption.
- We provide end-to-end planning and rollout, ensuring upgrades happen smoothly.
- We protect your business with proactive cybersecurity measures before, during, and after migration.
- We give your IT team breathing room by taking on the heavy lifting, so they can focus on strategic priorities.
- We align with your values as a B Corp MSP, balancing people, planet, and profit in every solution.
The end of Windows 10 isn’t some minor IT housekeeping issue. It’s a live cybersecurity threat, a compliance risk, and a potential operational disruptor. Businesses that wait risk facing higher costs, insurance gaps, and reputational damage.
The choice is simple. Act now, or leave your business exposed.
Ready to Check Your Security?
We have created a free resource to help businesses get ahead of the risks.
Download our Security & Compliance Guide
It will help you identify gaps, understand compliance obligations, and make informed decisions as you transition away from Windows 10.