Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 – its most popular operating system – in October 2025. The current version of Windows 10, 22H2, is the final feature update.
After October 14, 2025, there will be no security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for the Windows 10 operating system. Unsupported software presents a significant security risk to a business’s IT environment, creating vulnerabilities that can lead to data breaches for customers – and liabilities for MSPs.
With Windows 10 still accounting for 70% of the total Windows market share, this change will have a far-reaching impact across businesses around the globe. Here are some options to consider for customers using Microsoft Windows 10.
Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11
A straightforward software upgrade is the most obvious solution; unfortunately, it may not be so simple. Microsoft has hardware requirements for devices running Windows 11, and most PCs and laptops from 2019 or earlier – an estimated 50% of devices – will be unable to make a successful upgrade.
To ensure compatibility with Windows 11, laptops and PCs must meet the following minimum requirements:
- 64-bit CPU with 2+ cores and a speed of 1 GHz or faster
- 4 GB RAM
- At least 64 GB available disk space
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Minimum 720p display measuring 9” diagonally or larger
For users able to successfully upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on their existing device, the upgrade is free. If your devices – or those of your users – won't be able to support the upgrade to Windows 11, other action must be taken. Service providers who want a leg up will be wise to begin working with customers NOW to devise a transition plan.
[To learn how Collabrance supports service providers through this upgrade and other end of support transitions, check out our NOC Services offering.]
Option 2: Plan a hardware refresh
If your customers’ laptops and PCs do not meet the system requirements outlined above, a successful Windows 11 installation is unlikely and other options must be considered. It may be time for an upgrade anyway; laptops purchased when companies transitioned to work from home setups, for example, are now three to four years old. Service providers are encouraged to begin planning now for the necessary hardware upgrades to ensure your customers’ environments remain secure.
GreatAmerica offers hardware financing solutions for service providers – and for a limited time, 0% financing on laptops and desktops is available for qualifying deals. This is a great opportunity to incentivize end customers to proactively upgrade their machines ahead of the October 2025 Windows 10 end of support deadline. Click here to learn more:
0% Laptop and Desktop Financing for a Limited Time from GreatAmerica
If you do manage your customers through a hardware refresh, make sure to responsibly and sustainably dispose of old hardware.
Option 3: Enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESUs)
In circumstances where Windows 10 devices will not be able to be replaced before the October 2025 end of support date, Extended Security Updates (ESUs) will be available through Microsoft for an annual subscription fee, renewable for three years. Devices enrolled in ESUs will receive monthly security updates to keep the devices secure, but updates are limited to critical security updates only. It’s important to note ESUs do not include new features or non-security updates, and technical support beyond the ESU itself is not available for affected devices.
While some instances will be eligible for ESUs provided at no additional cost – like Windows 10 PCs accessing Windows 365, for example (more on Windows 365 below) – ESU subscription prices for business customers are not inexpensive. Per-license pricing starts at $61 for the first year and doubles each year after, totaling $427 per license for three years of protection.
More details around ESUs are available in this Microsoft blog post: Plan for Windows 10 EOS with Windows 11, Windows 365, and ESU
Alternative options – not recommended for MSPs or end customers
The three options described above are the most viable for MSPs and their end customers. There are other options, of course; and while IT providers, IT customers, and individual users will ultimately need to make their own decisions about how to move through the transition to Windows 11, the following options are not ones we recommend for anyone operating in managed IT.
Option 4: Migrate to the cloud (not recommended for MSPs or end customers)
Organizations willing to move to a cloud–based infrastructure – or those with unique needs – may consider subscribing to Windows 365 to make Windows 11 available on any device with a cloud PC.
For individual users needing additional time to update their workstations, this setup may extend the life of Windows 10 PCs, but this should not be considered an effective or permanent solution for customers using Windows 10 PCs.
For MSPs, a “fix” like this has the potential to create all kinds of issues. Running a Windows 365 version of Windows 11 on a desktop that has Windows 10 installed would essentially convert each workstation into two “devices”, sending your device-to-user ratios askew and requiring duplicate tools installation, among other complexities. Additionally, when choosing Windows 365 as a solution to access Windows 11 on a PC still running Windows 10, service providers must rely solely on the habits and know-how of individual users to work exclusively within the Windows 365 application versus operating within the PC’s OS. This introduces abundant opportunities for user error – and high-stakes risk.
Option 5: Do nothing (not recommended – for anyone!)
The fact is that after October 14, 2025, Windows 10 PCs – though unsupported – will still function. But small businesses should not be fooled into thinking they’re saving money by choosing not to upgrade, or that they’ll be otherwise unaffected. While it’s true that the cybersecurity incidents seen in headlines typically come from large, brand-name enterprises, small businesses are not immune to cyber threats; in fact, 43% of cyber-attacks target small-to-midsized businesses. Threat actors know these vulnerabilities exist and will exploit them to gain access to a business’s IT infrastructure.
Outdated systems are low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals, and businesses and IT providers who continue to operate within an unsecured environment may soon find themselves painted into a box. Collabrance, for example, imposes a number of stipulations for customers who choose not to upgrade: The requirement of a hold harmless waiver, eventual non-compliance fees for service providers, and, in some cases, blocking high-risk subscriber environments from internet access altogether.
And it’s not just security that’s at risk. Unsupported technology also means no bug fixes or feature updates – meaning a higher likelihood of system crashes leading to downtime and interruptions and the increased maintenance costs that come along with it. Employees will become frustrated, and customers will too, putting unnecessary strain on a company’s time, money – and ultimately – reputation.
Begin planning now – with Collabrance.
The October 2025 deadline is only drawing closer, and IT providers have a responsibility to educate customers about the real and numbered risks of using unsupported software and hardware.
If you haven't engaged your customers around this change, you must – today. Service providers willing to proactively work with customers to evaluate their existing inventory and develop a plan and budget for upgrading will be seen as a trusted technology advisor, not a source of added costs.
Collabrance and GreatAmerica can help ensure a smooth transition for you and your customers. If you aren’t sure of the best option for your end users, get in touch with the Collabrance team to learn more:
