Windows 10 will reach end of life on 14th October 2025 — just a few months away at the time of writing this article. One of the biggest risks associated with using Windows 10 devices after October 2025 is the increased cybersecurity risk. If you’re still using Windows 10 devices that are no longer supported by Microsoft, you’re leaving yourself and your company open to attackers due to unpatched vulnerabilities.
While we’d agree that the security implications are the biggest risk associated with Windows 10 end of life — and we discussed that further here — there are more risks that you need to be aware of if you’re not planning on upgrading your devices.
Business impact beyond IT
Your technology has an impact across all of your business departments and your supply chain, whether directly or indirectly. If you don’t upgrade your outdated devices to Windows 11, your productivity and efficiency may lag behind your competitors who stay up to date.
Older, outdated devices are slower than newer Windows 11 devices, and without ongoing updates, performance, and compatibility issues this will only worsen.
Users on Windows 10 devices will also miss out on newer features in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Copilot. Your competitors will have access to these, putting them one step ahead of you.
Your collaboration across tools like Outlook, OneDrive, and Teams will also lose efficiency — and these tools are pivotal to the day-to-day running of businesses.
Compliance and Insurance Risks
You’ll face a significantly increased risk of cyberattacks if you don’t upgrade your devices to Windows 11. You may be thinking “that’s okay, we have cyber insurance” — but unfortunately your insurance company may not pay out if you’re using unsupported systems, leaving your business at risk financially.
Adding to this, outdated operating systems may be flagged in compliance audits or certifications like Cyber Essentials, and your data protection obligations under UK GDPR could be impacted.
The hidden cost of delaying your Windows 10 upgrade
This is a global tech event that’s going to impact supply chains across the world. It feels like we’ve been banging on about Windows 10 end of life for ages — but it’s for the greater good!
If you choose to wait until the last minute, devices are going to be more expensive and harder to obtain. Device shortages are likely to come by September and October, resulting in rushed decisions that don’t fit the bill.
How you can turn this into a win for your business
If you have a bunch of devices that need upgrading, you can turn this into a chance to rethink your device strategy. You can opt for remote-ready kit, or a zero-trust set-up, both of which are easier to implement in bulk.
This is also an opportunity to train staff on Windows 11 features that speed up your work, like voice typing, snap layouts, and Microsoft Copilot.
The sooner you look at upgrading your outdated devices the better, otherwise you’re opening yourself up to cybersecurity risks and increased costs.
We can look at your current devices and help you fully switch over to Windows 11, just give us a shout.
