Preparing for the Windows 10 end of life: What your business needs to know

When Microsoft retires Windows 10 on 14 October 2025 from that point on the operating system will no longer receive:

• security updates and patches
• feature updates
• technical support

Without any ongoing support, Windows 10 will increasingly become a security and compliance risk to your business. Your systems and data will be exposed to a heightened level of cybercrime and will likely reduce business efficiency.

Staying updated with operating systems is crucial for business security and efficiency.

Using an up-to-date operating system (in this case Windows 11) plays a key role in raising your level of security, improving performance of your IT systems (and users), and supports business continuity.

Sleep easier with enhanced security:

• Protect against cyber-attacks: security patches are deployed through regular updates to secure known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals. Without these, systems are more exposed to malware, ransomware, and other cyberattacks.
• Comply with regulatory requirements: Some industry regulations as well as many cyber insurance policies have strict rules regarding data protection. Using outdated or unsupported operating systems can lead to non-compliance.
• Keep your data safe: Using an up-to-date, modern, fit-for-purpose operating system means you usually enjoy built-in security benefits such as firewalls, intrusion detection and encryption to help keep sensitive business data safe.

Keep your employees happy (and complaining less):

• Less disruptions: a supported operating system often receives free updates which include bug fixes to improve system stability and reduce the likelihood of dreaded crashes and downtime which disrupt business operations.
• Reduce frustrations: new features and performance improvements in regularly updated and supported operating systems can lead to a smoother and more productive user experience.

Do business without the system headaches:

• Minimise downtime: a secure, regularly updated operating system helps keep things running smoothly and minimises the risk of unpredictable disruptions (and the associated loss in revenue).
• Keep up to date with new tools: if your business likes to take advantage of new technology and tools then using an updated, modern operating system ensures your operating system will be compatible with the latest software applications.

With the support of your IT provider, upgrading to Windows 11 isn't difficult and does come with benefits. For businesses, key to this will be Microsoft's assurance that

When you are ready to upgrade, the Computer Culture team is here to assist. We can provide a breakdown and financial implications regarding your devices that:

• can and should be updated
• can't or shouldn't be updated.

With the update, it'll be business as usual and tools such as OneDrive are still available on Windows 11, so you'll have access to all your docs and files just as easily as before.

Windows 11 levels up the performance of devices to help you and your team get the job done. Staying up to date with the latest operating system:

• protects your data
• maintains compliance
• promotes efficient, uninterrupted operations.

To safeguard your business and position yourself for growth by ensuring your devices are running the latest operating system, act now. We're recommending all Computer Culture clients have a plan to update appropriate devices and have any new devices required ordered by 30 June 2025.



Don't wait, beat the queue - take advantage of better security and performance. Get in touch now to book a time to review your devices and confirm your Windows 11 update plan.