Windows 10 support has ended – what should you do with your company's computers now?

Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025. The computers still work, but they no longer receive security updates without a separate extension agreement. This article walks through what that means for your company’s computers and which options are on the table now.

What does the end of support mean in practice?

Microsoft ended technical support, feature updates and quality updates for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. A computer doesn’t shut down or stop working, and programs launch just as before. The change happens under the surface: newly discovered vulnerabilities in the operating system go unpatched unless the computer is enrolled in Microsoft’s paid extended update programme.

In business use this is a different matter than on a home computer. A work computer handles customer data, email and financial administration, and many insurance policies, contracts and data protection obligations require that software is kept up to date. An unpatched operating system is the weakest link through which the protection of the entire network can fail. So the question is not just about a single computer, but about what kind of whole your company’s computers form.

Is an old computer still safe to use?

The risk doesn’t materialise the day support ends — it grows month by month. Every published Windows vulnerability that is no longer fixed in Windows 10 stays permanently open. The longer computers are used without updates, the more attractive a target they become.

The good news is that the situation can be managed without panic. There are three options: upgrading to Windows 11, paid extended support known as ESU, or replacing the hardware. The right choice depends on the age and condition of the computer.

What is the ESU programme and who is it for?

ESU (Extended Security Updates) is a Microsoft programme that continues security updates after support has ended. It brings no new features and no technical support — only critical and important security fixes.

For businesses, ESU is sold one year at a time through volume licensing. The first year costs 61 dollars per computer, and the price doubles each subsequent year. The extension is available for a maximum of three years, that is, until October 2028. The licences are cumulative: if you join only in the second year, you also pay for the first. The computer must be running Windows 10 version 22H2 for the updates to install.

Consumers have their own lighter path: in the European Economic Area, consumer ESU is free of charge, but it requires a Microsoft account and ends as early as 13 October 2026. The consumer programme should therefore not be treated as a company’s long-term solution, since its extension runs out in a few months.

ESU suits a situation where some computers simply must stay on Windows 10 for a while longer, for example because of old specialist software. It is a bridge, not a destination.

Can a computer be upgraded to Windows 11?

If a computer meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements, the upgrade is free and usually straightforward. The most essential requirement is the TPM 2.0 security chip, which Windows 11 uses for things like disk encryption and protecting sign-in. According to Microsoft, the vast majority of computers sold in the last five years support it.

Older computers may not meet the requirements, and it is not advisable to bypass them with unofficial workarounds, because then continued access to updates becomes uncertain. If a computer doesn’t meet the Windows 11 requirements, the sensible question is whether a five-year-old computer is still worth investing in, or whether replacement is cheaper in total cost.

In what order should you proceed?

The first step is an inventory: how many computers the company has, which operating system and version each one runs, and which computers meet the Windows 11 requirements. It is also worth recording each computer’s age and user in the inventory, because they affect whether the computer is still worth upgrading. Based on this list, the computers are divided into three baskets.

Before upgrading, make sure the company’s most important programs work on Windows 11. Most modern software works without changes, but an old accounting program or specialist software tied to equipment should be tested on one computer before migrating the whole company.

The first basket is upgraded to Windows 11 in a controlled way, a few computers at a time, so that work is not interrupted. The second basket — the computers to be replaced — is scheduled into the budget. The third basket, the computers that must stay on Windows 10, is moved into the ESU programme with a clear end date recorded for each.

At the same time it is worth checking the backups and making sure every computer has up-to-date security software. These don’t replace operating system updates, but they reduce the risk during the transition.

Where can you get help with the transition?

If the computer inventory hasn’t been done, or the upgrade project feels like a lot on top of your own work, you don’t have to do it alone. Developit’s IT support maps your company’s computers, handles the Windows 11 upgrades in a controlled way and helps you decide which computers are worth replacing and which still have life in them. That way the transition happens according to plan and everyday work continues uninterrupted.

You can also get a sense of direction for each computer with four questions: test whether to upgrade or replace.