Windows 10 End of Life – Turning Challenge into Opportunity
Windows 10 End of Life – Turning Challenge into Opportunity
Time to read
4 minutes
Date published
April 2025
Microsoft is withdrawing support for Windows 10 later this year. Now’s the time to talk to your customers about hardware upgrades and seize the opportunity to boost your business.
It’s a fact of life in the world of IT. As technology develops, computer operating systems naturally become outdated and are replaced by new ones that deliver better performance, enhanced security and exciting new features. Businesses that fail to move with the times can lose out on improved productivity, struggle with compatibility and be vulnerable to constantly evolving online threats.
On 14 October 2025, Microsoft will be withdrawing support for Windows 10, the go-to operating system from 2015 onwards. It was succeeded by Windows 11 in 2021. However, many users are yet to upgrade and Windows 10 remains the workhorse that drives productivity in businesses across the UK. According to research carried out by Microsoft, 17% of SMBs were not aware that support for Windows 10 was being withdrawn. 54% were aware, but not sure when it was happening.
What exactly does ‘end of life’ mean?
After the ‘end of support’ (EOS) date for Windows 10, Microsoft won’t be providing feature updates, bug or security fixes, time zone updates or technical support. This applies to all version of Windows 10: Education, Enterprise, Home, Pro and Workstation.
What are the risks of choosing not to upgrade?
Computers running Windows 10 will still work. However, they’ll be more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Features built into Windows 11, such as credential safeguards, malware shields and application protection, have led to a reported 58% drop in security incidents, including a 3.1 times reduction in firmware attacks. (source: Microsoft/Techaisle Windows 11 Survey Report, February 2022).
But it’s not just about security. Sticking with Windows 10 could result in an increased IT burden, a key consideration for SMBs with limited budgets and resources. In the current economic climate, no business wants to face the risk of more downtime, higher maintenance costs and the need for manual security fixes. In addition, there’s the issue of software compatibility. Upgrades or new applications won’t support Windows 10, which could result in loss of performance, crashes or the inability to run some programmes at all.
AI is the future and, by failing to upgrade to Windows 11, businesses could be missing out on valuable AI-powered features, which help improve productivity and efficiency. For example, Windows 11 includes Copilot, a chat assistant that helps users get answers and inspiration from across the web, as well as supporting creativity and collaboration.
What are the benefits of upgrading?
Multiple studies of Windows 11 Pro on new devices reveal a raft of business benefits, including 42% faster completion of demanding workloads on average, 50% faster workflows on average and 80% reported reduction in helpdesk tickets (source: Microsoft).
Windows 11 also delivers an enhanced user experience. With an intuitive interface and built-in tools such as Microsoft Copilot and Teams, the operating system enhances collaboration and productivity. Advanced security features include malware protection, phishing prevention and enhanced app security. IT management is made easier with streamlined deployment, automated updates and centralised management using Microsoft Endpoint Manager.
A strong sales proposition
The Windows 10 EOS is an opportunity to talk to your customers about upgrading their hardware to take full advantage of the power and productivity of Windows 11.
53% of SMBs see the transition to Windows 11 as a reason to refresh their devices, with apps, security, productivity and manageability all given as key reasons to upgrade (source: Microsoft SMB reseller research, February 2024).
According to research by Forrester in 2022, businesses upgrading to Windows 11 Pro devices experienced a 250% return on investment (ROI) over three years.
Start the conversation now
Although there’s awareness among SMBs of the existence of Windows 11, many aren’t aware of the security and productivity benefits or how easy Windows 11 Pro is to deploy and manage, including compatibility with mission-critical applications. What’s more, with Windows 11 Pro PCs as the cornerstone of their IT provision, they can take full advantage of new AI and cloud capabilities.
It’s time to check your customers’ device compatibility and empower them to explore upgrade options for Windows 11-ready laptops. Choosing and ordering the right devices is easy via the Giacom Hardware Store.
The Windows 10 EOS is coming soon. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to sell hardware upgrades. Call us on 03304 333 888 or email [email protected].