Windows 10 will reach its end of support on 24th October 2025. This is only two short months away from time of posting, for small businesses, this is more than just a technical update—it’s a strategic moment to reassess your IT infrastructure and ensure your systems remain secure, compliant, and productive.

🛑 What Does “End of Support” Mean?

After October 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide:

• • Security updates or patches
  • Bug fixes or performance improvements
  • Technical support

While your devices will still operate, they’ll become quickly vulnerable to cyber threats and software incompatibilities. This will pose serious risks to your ability to run your business, secure customer data, and keep compliant with Cyber Insurance requirements and any certifications such as Cyber Essentials and other ISO / NIST Standards. 

💼 Why It Matters for Small Businesses

Small businesses often operate with lean IT resources, making them more susceptible to disruptions caused by outdated software. Running unsupported systems can:

• • Increase exposure to ransomware and malware
  • Lead to compatibility issues with newer applications
  • Violate data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR)

🖥️ How can I protect myself?

1. Upgrade to Windows 11

If your current devices meet the hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, compatible CPU), upgrading to Windows 11 is free and relatively straightforward. Windows 11 offers:

• • Enhanced security features
  • Improved performance and user experience
  • Better integration with Microsoft 365 and cloud services

2. Replace Outdated Hardware

If your PCs aren’t compatible with Windows 11, while there are options such as Tiny Win11 that can help get Windows 11 running on unsupported PC’s. This is not recommended as it is third-party software and the security of the software can not be confirmed. The only realistic option you have is to replace your desktop or laptop with one that has came pre-installed with Windows 11 Professional to ensure that you can take full advantage of Bitlocker and MS Intune services.

🧩 Planning Your Transition

Like all projects, proper planning is your friend and can help ensure that the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is as smooth as possible:

• • Audit your current devices to identify which ones need upgrading or replacing
  • Review your software stack to ensure compatibility with Windows 11
  • Consult with your IT provider or Microsoft partner to create a migration plan
  • Train your team on the new system to minimize disruption

💡 Final Thoughts

While end of Windows 10 support is a critical moment for small businesses, and on the face of things is can seem very much doom and gloom this can be an ideal time to reevaluate the way that your business uses IT and leverage some of the newer technologies such as ChatGPT and Microsoft’s CoPilot.

Undo IT Support are here to help if you have any questions regarding the upgrade to Windows 11 you can get in touch with us here!