Windows 10 support has ended. Is your business still running it?
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. That means no more security patches, no bug fixes, and no technical assistance. The operating system still runs, but every day it stays connected to the internet without updates, the risk to your business grows.
We saw the same pattern with Windows 7 back in January 2020. Many businesses waited too long, then scrambled. The Windows 10 deadline has come and gone, and right now, a significant number of Australian businesses are still running it. If yours is one of them, this article is for you. For help planning the move, our IT consulting team works with Queensland businesses through exactly these transitions.
What “end of support” actually means
Your Windows 10 devices will not suddenly stop working. The software still opens, files still load, and applications still run. What stops is Microsoft’s commitment to patch new vulnerabilities as they are discovered. Attackers know this. Unpatched systems become easier targets over time, and the window between a vulnerability being found and it being exploited is now measured in hours, not weeks.
Businesses running Windows 10 after the October 2025 deadline also face a compliance risk. If your organisation holds personal information covered by the Privacy Act, running unsupported software can be considered an inadequate security measure. Some cyber insurance policies are also starting to exclude claims where a breach occurred on a system that had known, unpatched vulnerabilities. That is a material financial risk, not just a theoretical one.
Why the problem is bigger than it looks
Research conducted in mid-2025 found that around 38% of Australian endpoints were still running Windows 10 just before the end-of-support deadline. That is a large number of devices, many of them in small and medium-sized businesses that do not have a dedicated IT team watching the clock.
Part of the problem is hardware. Many PCs bought in the Windows 7 or early Windows 10 era were already upgraded once and still cannot run Windows 11. Windows 11 requires a 64-bit processor with two or more cores, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, UEFI firmware, and TPM 2.0 support. A device purchased before 2018 has a high chance of failing that last requirement. For those businesses, the only path forward is a hardware refresh, not just a software upgrade.
In our experience working with Brisbane and South-East Queensland businesses, the hardware gap is the most common surprise. An owner assumes an in-place upgrade will fix the problem, then discovers most of the fleet needs replacing. Starting that conversation early avoids the cost and disruption of doing it under pressure. A quick IT audit can identify which devices are eligible for a free upgrade and which ones need to be replaced.
What Windows 11 gives you
Windows 11 is not just a cosmetic change. For a business running Microsoft 365, the two platforms are designed to work together. Security features like hardware-based isolation and built-in credential protection are native to Windows 11 in a way they were not in Windows 10. Microsoft Copilot, which is embedded across Office apps and Windows itself, requires Windows 11 on hardware with a neural processing unit to function fully. That matters if your business is starting to use AI tools as part of everyday work.
- Security: Windows 11 has hardware-enforced security controls that reduce the attack surface compared to Windows 10. Ransomware gangs actively target known vulnerabilities in unsupported systems.
- Performance: Devices that meet Windows 11 requirements run the newer OS efficiently. Microsoft reports meaningful performance gains on compatible hardware compared to Windows 10.
- Compatibility: Major applications are beginning to drop Windows 10 support. Staying on an unsupported OS means growing incompatibility with the software your business relies on.
- AI readiness: Microsoft Copilot features in Windows and Microsoft 365 work best on Windows 11. If AI-assisted productivity is on your roadmap, Windows 11 is the foundation.
What about Extended Security Updates?
Microsoft does offer a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10. It provides critical security patches only, with no new features or bug fixes. For businesses, this is a short-term bridge while a migration is planned, not a long-term solution. The ESU program runs for one year from the October 2025 end-of-support date. After that, there is no safety net.
If your business enrolled in the ESU program, you have until around October 2026 to complete your migration. That deadline is now very close. Any business that has not yet started planning should start now.
How the cloud fits in
For many businesses, a move to Windows 11 is also a good time to reconsider the broader IT setup. Cloud-based services reduce the cost and complexity of maintaining on-premises infrastructure. You pay for what you use, your software stays current automatically, and your data is protected without relying on a single device.
Services like Microsoft 365 include built-in backup, collaboration tools, and security features that work across any compatible device. Pairing a hardware refresh with a cloud-first approach often costs less in the long run than maintaining ageing infrastructure. Our Cloud Readiness Assessment helps businesses understand what a move like this would involve before committing to anything.
A practical checklist before you upgrade
If you are ready to start, here are the key steps we work through with clients:
- Audit your hardware. Run Microsoft’s PC Health Check on each device. Anything that fails the compatibility check needs to be replaced, not just upgraded.
- List your critical applications. Check that the software your business depends on is compatible with Windows 11. Most modern applications are, but older or specialist tools can cause problems.
- Back up before you touch anything. A full backup before any OS change is non-negotiable. Data backup should already be in place, but confirm it before starting.
- Plan the rollout in stages. Migrate a pilot group first. Resolve any issues before rolling out to the whole business.
- Update your security tools. If you are running endpoint protection, confirm it supports Windows 11. This is also a good time to review your overall IT security posture.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to keep using Windows 10 in 2026?
Running Windows 10 in 2026 carries real security risk. Microsoft stopped releasing patches in October 2025, so any new vulnerability found in the operating system stays open until you upgrade. The longer a device runs unsupported software while connected to the internet, the more likely it is to be compromised. If you are still on Windows 10, upgrading or replacing the device should be a priority now.
Can I upgrade my existing PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free?
If your device meets Windows 11’s hardware requirements, the upgrade is free through Windows Update. The key requirements are a compatible 64-bit processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and TPM 2.0 support. Devices bought before 2018 often fail the TPM requirement. Run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to find out if your hardware qualifies before attempting the upgrade.
What happens to Microsoft 365 on a Windows 10 device?
Microsoft 365 applications will continue to run on Windows 10, but Microsoft has confirmed it will only provide security updates for those apps on Windows 10 until October 2028. After that date, you are fully on your own. The Microsoft 365 applications themselves will not be updated for Windows 10 compatibility, which means feature gaps and stability issues will grow over time.
Do I need a new computer or can I just upgrade the software?
That depends on your hardware. Many computers still running Windows 10 will qualify for a free in-place upgrade to Windows 11. However, devices purchased before 2018 frequently lack TPM 2.0 support, which is a hard requirement. If your device fails the compatibility check, a new computer is the only option. An IT audit will tell you exactly which machines need replacing and which can be upgraded.
Could running an unsupported OS affect my cyber insurance?
Yes, this is a real concern. Some cyber insurance policies have clauses that reduce or void cover if a breach occurs on a system known to have unpatched vulnerabilities. Running an operating system that has been past end-of-support for months or more may be treated as a preventable security gap. Check your policy wording and talk to your insurer or IT provider if you are unsure where you stand.
Where do I start if my whole fleet needs upgrading?
Start with a hardware audit to identify which devices can be upgraded and which need replacing. Then prioritise by risk: internet-facing machines and devices used for finance or client data should move first. A managed IT provider can run the compatibility assessment, source new hardware, handle the migration, and ensure your data is protected throughout. For businesses in Brisbane and South-East Queensland, our team can walk you through the whole process.
How do we get started?
If you are not sure whether your business is fully off Windows 10, or you have machines that need replacing and want help planning the rollout, get in touch with the team at Think Technology Australia. We work with businesses across South-East Queensland to handle OS migrations cleanly, without lost data or unnecessary downtime. Start a conversation here.
