What It Means for Your Business

On 14 October 2025, Microsoft will officially end all support for Windows 10. This is more than a routine update—it signals a major shift that could directly impact the security, compliance, and functionality of your business systems. According to Microsoft’s official lifecycle policy, Windows 10 support will end on this date, with no further updates or security patches.

Potential Risks After End of Support

Over 30% of global organisations are still running Windows 10. While it’s not illegal to continue using it, the risks increase dramatically after support ends.

No More Security Protection

Unsupported systems are vulnerable to ransomware, malware, and zero-day attacks. In 2024, a hospital still using Windows 7 suffered a ransomware attack that resulted in two weeks of lost patient data.

Compliance & Legal Risks

Industries like finance, healthcare, and education require adherence to strict security standards. Running Windows 10 after end-of-life may breach Australian Privacy Principles, ISO 27001, or other frameworks.

Compatibility Issues

Modern software and cloud platforms are phasing out support for Windows 10. This can lead to software crashes, unavailable features, or increased downtime.

Business Disruption

Even a small system failure can halt operations. Delayed upgrades often result in unplanned downtime, costly fixes, or emergency hardware replacements.

Upgrade vs. Maintain: A Common Dilemma

Upgrading to Windows 11 isn’t just an IT task—it’s a proactive investment in business continuity and cyber safety.

Factor	Staying on Windows 10	Upgrading to Windows 11
Security updates	❌ None	✅ Automatically applied
Modern software compatibility	❌ Decreasing	✅ Fully supported
Ransomware risk	🔺 High	🔻 Lower
Budget control	❌ Unpredictable, reactive costs	✅ Spread over time

Practical Steps to Start Preparing

Start preparing now to spread your upgrade costs and reduce operational risks. Here’s how:

• Audit devices – Check Windows 11 compatibility (TPM 2.0, CPU generation).
• Prioritise upgrades – Start with mission-critical systems.
• Phase investments – Refresh hardware quarterly or use subscription models.
• Train staff – Educate teams on Windows 11 features and security best practices.
• Review IT environment – Strengthen backups, recovery plans, and endpoint protection.

See Cyber.gov.au for Australian government recommendations on secure system upgrades.

Three Questions Every Business Should Ask

1. Does our hardware support Windows 11?
2. Which systems are most urgent to replace or upgrade?
3. Are we risking more by delaying than acting now?

Helping your business stay secure and up to date

MCG Computer offers tailored IT consulting to help businesses navigate the Windows 10 End of Life challenge with ease:

• Equipment diagnostics & Windows 11 compatibility checks
• One-stop support for data backup, migration, and security configurations
• Managed security services to protect your upgraded environment