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It’s been a long run for Windows 10, but all things must come to an end. Microsoft has confirmed that as of 14 October 2025, support for the operating system will officially be retired. No more security updates, technical support or software fixes.
If your business is still running on Windows 10 — and many are — this is the time to act. Not in a panicked, all-hands-on-deck kind of way, but with a clear and strategic plan.
Technology moves fast—operating systems, even faster. Windows 10 launched in 2015 and was once hailed as the “last version of Windows.” Clearly, that didn’t stick. Windows 11 is here, sleeker and more security-conscious than its predecessor, and Microsoft wants you on board.
For users whose devices meet the requirements, upgrading to Windows 11 is free. But here’s the rub: not every PC makes the cut. If your machine lacks TPM 2.0, or a compatible processor, you’re out of luck. You’ll either need to explore the Extended Security Updates program (which buys you another year of support for a fee) or invest in new hardware.
Let’s be clear: your existing Windows 10 machines won’t suddenly shut down after the deadline. They’ll keep running, at least for a while. But here’s the issue — without updates, your systems will be increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. Compatibility problems will creep in. And Microsoft 365 apps? They won’t be officially supported on Windows 10 after that date either.
For businesses managing large fleets of devices or remote teams, that’s a real problem. A slow decline in security and performance could lead to unnecessary downtime, unhappy users, and costly firefighting.
Upgrading to Windows 11 isn’t as straightforward as past transitions. The system requirements are stricter, and many older devices won’t be eligible for the free upgrade. That leaves organisations with a few clear options:
And for many IT teams, this situation has thrown up some tough questions: How do we stay secure without draining budgets? How do we refresh hundreds (or thousands) of devices across regions with minimal disruption?
The end of Windows 10 is more than a technical milestone. It’s a reminder that managing IT through traditional procurement cycles — buying, configuring, repairing and eventually disposing of devices — is time-consuming, inflexible and costly.
For forward-thinking organisations, Device as a Service (DaaS) is stepping into the spotlight. Instead of owning, maintaining, and replacing devices yourself, you subscribe to a fully managed solution. One that evolves with your needs.
At devicenow, we see this transition as an opportunity to solve more than just the Windows 11 question. Our global Device as a Service solution helps companies handle exactly these kinds of shifts, with ease and speed.
From day one, we provide pre-configured, Windows 11-ready devices with support in over 190 countries. Need to scale quickly? Done. Facing tight budgets? We offer predictable, monthly pricing. Device breaks in Berlin, London, or São Paulo? We’ll replace it by the next business day. We also manage the full lifecycle of your equipment — from staging and deployment, to break–fix services and responsible end-of-life handling. No more juggling multiple vendors or worrying about tech obsolescence creeping up unnoticed.
The retirement of Windows 10 is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a wake-up call for every business still relying on legacy systems — and a great moment to rethink your IT strategy.
Whether you’re a CIO juggling priorities, or part of an IT team navigating limited resources, the move to Windows 11 doesn’t have to be chaotic. With the right plan and the right partner it could be your smartest upgrade yet.
