Windows 10 End of Life

In October 2025, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10. If your business has computers still running it, those machines are no longer receiving security updates, bug fixes, or patches of any kind. They will continue to work, but any vulnerability discovered after that date will never be fixed, and attackers know it.

This doesn't mean your computers will stop working tomorrow. It means the clock has been running, and the longer you leave it, the greater the risk. This guide explains exactly what end of life means in practice, how to find out whether your machines are affected, and what your options are.

What Does "End of Life" Actually Mean?

Every version of Windows has a support lifecycle. During that period, Microsoft regularly releases updates (security patches, bug fixes, and feature improvements) to keep the operating system safe and functional. When a version reaches end of life, that stops. Completely.

The computers themselves carry on running. Your staff can still log in, open files, and use applications. But the underlying operating system is frozen in time. Any security vulnerability discovered from that point onwards will never be patched. Cybercriminals actively research and exploit exactly these kinds of unpatched systems, because they know no fix is coming.

Windows XP went end of life in 2014. It took only four weeks after support ended for a major worm to spread across hundreds of thousands of unpatched machines worldwide. Windows 10 has a far larger installed base, which makes it an even more attractive target.

How to Check Which Version of Windows Your Computers Are Running

Before deciding what to do, it helps to know what you're working with. To check the Windows version on any PC:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type winver and press Enter.
3. A small window will appear showing your Windows version and build number.

If it says Windows 10, that machine is no longer receiving security updates. If it says Windows 11, you're on the supported version and no immediate action is needed, though it's still worth making sure updates are running automatically.

Can Your PC Upgrade to Windows 11?

Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for machines that meet Microsoft's hardware requirements. The catch is that those requirements are more specific than previous Windows upgrades, and a meaningful number of older business machines don't qualify.

The key requirements are:

• TPM 2.0: a security chip that most PCs manufactured after 2017 include, but older machines often don't
• A compatible 64-bit processor: Intel 8th generation or newer, or AMD Zen 2 or newer
• 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended for a comfortable experience)
• 64 GB of storage

The easiest way to check is to download and run Microsoft's official PC Health Check tool, which scans your machine and tells you directly whether it can run Windows 11. It takes about 30 seconds.

Your Options

For most small businesses, the practical answer is a mix of the first two: upgrade compatible machines to Windows 11 now, and plan hardware replacements for those that can't make the jump. Extended Security Updates are a useful safety net if you need breathing room, but they're a temporary measure rather than a long-term solution.

How to Upgrade Compatible Machines to Windows 11

If your PC passes the Health Check, the upgrade is straightforward and free.

1. Make sure your important files are backed up before you start. Our guide to backing up your Windows PC covers the simplest ways to do this.
2. Open Settings and go to Windows Update.
3. If your machine is eligible, you'll see an option to download and install Windows 11. Click it and follow the prompts.
4. The upgrade typically takes between 30 minutes and an hour depending on your machine. Your files, applications, and settings carry over automatically.

If you don't see the upgrade offer in Windows Update, make sure your current Windows 10 is fully up to date first, then check again.

What About Machines That Can't Upgrade?

If a machine fails the PC Health Check, you have two realistic choices: Extended Security Updates as a short-term bridge, or replacing the hardware.

From a cost perspective, it's worth doing the maths. Extended Security Updates are available through Microsoft for individual users and businesses, but the pricing adds up over multiple machines across multiple years. If a machine is already four or five years old and struggling to keep up, replacement hardware often makes more economic sense and gives you a faster, more reliable machine running a fully supported OS from day one.

When replacing hardware, it's also worth thinking about what happens to the old machines. At Tranquil IT we handle responsible IT disposal and recycling, making sure old equipment is wiped securely and either repurposed or disposed of in line with WEEE regulations. It's one less thing to worry about when you're already managing a hardware refresh.

A Note on Windows 11 for Businesses

Windows 11 isn't just Windows 10 with a new look. It brings meaningful security improvements that are worth knowing about, particularly for businesses.

TPM 2.0 is required precisely because it enables hardware-level security features that Windows 10 couldn't rely on. Secure Boot, improved BitLocker encryption, and stricter controls on what can run at startup are all built into Windows 11 in ways that make it meaningfully harder for malware to establish a foothold. Combined with multi-factor authentication on your accounts and a solid backup strategy, a Windows 11 machine is in a significantly stronger position than its Windows 10 predecessor.

The transition is also an opportunity to audit what software is actually installed and in use, tighten up user account permissions, and make sure automatic updates are enabled going forward. These are small things, but they compound.

What About Home Users?

Everything above applies just as much at home as it does in a business. Your personal laptop or desktop running Windows 10 is in exactly the same position: no more security patches, no more fixes, and an operating system that becomes gradually more exposed over time.

For home users, the good news is that the path forward is usually simpler. If your PC passes the PC Health Check, the upgrade to Windows 11 is free, takes under an hour, and your files and applications carry over untouched. There's no subscription, no licence to buy, and no technical expertise needed. It's one of the more straightforward things you can do to keep your computer secure.

If your machine is older and can't make the jump, it's worth being honest about what that computer is used for. A home PC used for online banking, shopping, email, and storing personal photos holds plenty of sensitive information. Running that on an unpatched OS is a genuine risk, and a new entry-level laptop is often less expensive than people expect, particularly if you're open to a refurbished machine from a reputable supplier.

The other thing worth considering for home users is what happens to your files if things do go wrong. Pairing a Windows 11 upgrade with a proper backup setup gives you a much stronger safety net. Our guide to backing up your Windows PC walks through exactly how to do that, including a free built-in option that takes about ten minutes to configure.

The Short Version

• Windows 10 stopped receiving security patches in October 2025.
• Machines still running it are exposed to any vulnerabilities discovered since then.
• Use the PC Health Check tool to find out which of your machines can upgrade for free.
• Upgrade what you can, plan replacement for what you can't, and consider ESU as a short-term bridge if you need more time.
• Don't leave machines unpatched and unaddressed indefinitely.