Support for Windows 10 officially ended on October 14, 2025. That date has come and gone, and if your business is still running Windows 10 machines, you are now operating on an unsupported operating system. Your computers will keep working. Nothing will suddenly shut down or go dark. But the door on free security updates closed five months ago, and the risk that was theoretical back then is very real now.

This post explains what actually happened on that date, what it means day to day for your business, what your options are, and how to figure out the right next step for your specific situation.

What "End of Support" Actually Means

End of support does not mean Windows 10 stops working. Your computers will still boot, run your software, connect to the internet, and do everything they did before. What it means is that Microsoft stopped issuing security patches, bug fixes, and technical support for the operating system.

Every month, Microsoft releases what are called Patch Tuesday updates. These patches fix newly discovered vulnerabilities in Windows. Hackers and security researchers are constantly finding these holes. When Microsoft issues a patch, they close the door. When support ends, they stop patching those holes entirely.

"After October 14, 2025, your computer running Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates... your PC will be at a greater risk for viruses and malware." — Microsoft Support

Source: Microsoft Support — Windows 10 Support Has Ended

Microsoft also ended support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 on the same date, across all operating systems. If your business is using either of those versions alongside Windows 10, you now have two unsupported pieces of software running together.

You Are Not Alone, But That Does Not Make It Safe

A lot of businesses are in the same situation. According to reporting from The Register, industry analysts estimated that over half a billion corporate PCs were still running Windows 10 heading into the October 2025 deadline, and roughly half of those would not meet the cutoff for upgrading.

Source: The Register — Millions of Business PCs Still on Windows 10

HP's CEO noted during an earnings call that the transition was moving slower than expected in the small and medium business segment specifically. The reality is that a lot of 10 to 30 person businesses are still sitting on a mix of machines, some of which may not even be able to run Windows 11.

The size of the problem does not reduce your risk. Attackers know how many unpatched machines are out there. Unsupported operating systems are high-value targets precisely because known vulnerabilities will never be fixed.

What the Real-World Risks Look Like

Here is what you are actually exposed to when running an unpatched OS on a business network:

• Unpatched vulnerabilities stay open permanently. Any security hole discovered after October 14 will never be fixed on Windows 10. Researchers and attackers publish details of these vulnerabilities publicly. Over time, the list of known, exploitable holes grows and nothing closes them.
• Ransomware loves unsupported systems. Ransomware attacks frequently use known OS vulnerabilities as an entry point. When your OS is no longer receiving patches, it becomes a much easier target.
• Compatibility problems increase over time. Browsers, applications, and peripherals will gradually drop Windows 10 support. Some may stop working correctly or refuse to install on an unsupported OS.
• Microsoft 365 apps may degrade. While Microsoft extended security updates for Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 through October 2028, they have warned of potential performance and reliability issues over time.
• Compliance and liability concerns. If your business handles sensitive data or operates under any regulatory requirements, running an unsupported OS can create real compliance exposure.

Your Three Options Right Now

Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11 (If Your Hardware Qualifies)

This is the right long-term path for any business. If your machines can run Windows 11, this is what you should be doing.

Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10. The biggest gating factor for older machines is TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module), a security chip required for Windows 11. Most computers made in the last five to seven years have it, but it may be disabled in the BIOS by default.

To check if your PC is eligible, Microsoft provides the PC Health Check app. You can download it directly from Microsoft and run it in about 60 seconds:

Download the PC Health Check App (Microsoft)

If the check says your PC is eligible, the upgrade to Windows 11 is free and available through Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update and check for updates.

Minimum requirements for Windows 11 include:

• 64-bit processor (Intel 8th Gen or newer, AMD Ryzen 3 or newer)
• 4 GB RAM minimum
• 64 GB storage minimum
• TPM 2.0 (enabled in BIOS)
• UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability

Source: Microsoft — Windows 11 System Requirements

Note: If your machine has TPM but it shows as disabled, it can often be enabled through your BIOS settings without any hardware cost. A lot of perfectly upgradable machines just need a BIOS toggle flipped.

Option 2: Extended Security Updates (ESU) — A Temporary Bridge, Not a Solution

Microsoft created a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for businesses that cannot move to Windows 11 immediately. It provides critical security patches only, for up to three additional years. It does not include new features, bug fixes, or technical support.

For commercial customers, the pricing is:

• Year 1 (November 2025 through October 2026): $61 per device
• Year 2: $122 per device
• Year 3: $244 per device

These costs are cumulative. If you wait until Year 2, you pay for Year 1 as well.

The ESU program is explicitly a bridge, not a long-term strategy. Microsoft describes it as a way to stay secure while you plan your migration. If your hardware cannot run Windows 11 and replacement is not in the immediate budget, ESU buys you time. It does not solve the underlying problem.

Source: Microsoft Learn — Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program for Windows 10

Option 3: Replace the Hardware

If your machines are old enough that they cannot run Windows 11 and are not worth the ESU cost over several years, replacement is often the most practical answer. A new Windows 11 PC for a business user starts around $500 to $800 for a solid mid-range machine. Compare that to $61 + $122 + $244 per device in ESU costs over three years, on hardware that will only get older, and replacement often pencils out better than extending the life of an incompatible machine.

This is also a natural opportunity to do a proper hardware refresh if your equipment is getting long in the tooth. New machines come with Windows 11 preinstalled and properly configured, which eliminates the upgrade process entirely.

How to Check What You Are Actually Running

If you are not sure whether your machines are on Windows 10 or Windows 11, here is the fastest way to check:

• Click the Start menu and open Settings
• Go to System, then scroll down to About
• Look for Windows Specification — it will show your Windows version and edition

If it says Windows 10, you are on an unsupported OS. If it says Windows 11, you are current.

For businesses with multiple machines, auditing every device is part of what a managed IT plan covers. If you have five or more computers and no current inventory of what OS versions are running, that is a gap worth closing.

What Dayton Allied Business Solutions Recommends

If your business is in the Dayton, Ohio area and you are still running Windows 10, here is the practical breakdown:

• If your machines can run Windows 11, upgrade them now. It is free. The longer you wait, the longer you are on an unsupported OS with no reason to be.
• If some machines cannot run Windows 11, assess them individually. Some may just need a BIOS setting changed. Others may need hardware replacement. ESU is a viable short-term bridge for machines where replacement is not yet in the budget.
• If you do not know what is on your network, start there. You cannot make a plan based on incomplete information. A simple device audit will tell you what you are working with.

If you want someone to come in and do that assessment for you, that is exactly what we do. We can audit your devices, identify what needs to move to Windows 11, flag what hardware qualifies for a free upgrade versus what needs replacing, and build a realistic migration plan around your budget and timeline.

We serve businesses in Huber Heights, Dayton, and the surrounding Miami Valley area. Reach out through our website or call us directly at 937-839-2677.

Sources and Further Reading

Microsoft Support: Windows 10 Support Has Ended

Microsoft Learn: Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program for Windows 10

Microsoft Support: Windows 11 System Requirements

Microsoft Support: Enable TPM 2.0 on Your PC

The Register: Millions of Business PCs Still on Windows 10 as Deadline Nears

Computerworld: Half of PCs Still Run Windows 10 Despite Support Ending

Microsoft: End of Support for Windows 10 (Overview Page)

Dayton Allied Business Solutions LLC  |  daytonabs.com  |  937-839-2677  |  Huber Heights, Ohio