When Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, it marked more than just the close of a product cycle. It closed the chapter on one of the most widely used operating systems in the business world. Now, several months later, the end-of-support milestone continues to have ripple effects across companies still catching up.

For organizations that delayed their response, the urgency is building. As of today, Windows 10 machines no longer receive essential security patches. This shift highlights how software transitions can quietly become serious risk points if not addressed early.

What the End of Support Delivered

Once the deadline passed, Microsoft stopped delivering updates for all editions of Windows 10, including Home, Pro, and Enterprise. This included technical support, performance fixes, and, most critically, security updates.

Systems that continue running Windows 10 today are unprotected against new vulnerabilities. Despite functioning as expected, they have become weak spots that may open the door to malicious activity or data breaches, especially in networks that haven’t isolated these machines.

There were no last-minute exceptions. Microsoft gave plenty of notice, but once support officially ended, every remaining Windows 10 system needed an upgrade plan or immediate risk management.

Using Extended Security Updates as a Short-Term Bridge

For those unable to complete a Windows 11 rollout last year, Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program offered a stopgap. This paid option allows businesses to continue receiving critical fixes while working on a broader migration strategy.

Commercial users can remain enrolled until October 2028, while individual users have until October 2026 before their access to updates through ESU ends. Still, it’s worth repeating that this is not a long-term solution. It simply gives companies more time. The ESU program comes with a cost and is not designed to replace a full transition to a supported operating system.

The Shift Toward Windows 11

For many companies, the best course was a direct upgrade to Windows 11. It’s a more secure, smoothly integrated, and visually updated platform designed to support today’s hybrid work environments. Built-in tools to manage productivity and stronger protections made it a natural next step for those whose hardware met the system requirements.

However, not every device was ready for the shift. Some businesses found that a lack of Trusted Platform Module (TPM) hardware made their systems incompatible with Windows 11 by default. While there were workarounds, they offered no guarantee of long-term success or support from Microsoft. This forced many to explore broader IT upgrades, including new devices or alternative operating systems altogether.

That challenge created a pathway for meaningful upgrades. A number of organizations used this moment to replace aging equipment, improve efficiency, or migrate some operations to systems like Linux or ChromeOS, depending on specific business needs.

Security Continues to Be the Bottom Line

More than three months have passed since support ended, but the message is just as important now as it was in October. Unsupported systems are more than outdated; they’re vulnerable. Without regular updates, even simple flaws can be exploited by opportunistic attackers.

Businesses that rely on legacy Windows 10 systems are urged to act quickly. Whether through an extended update plan, a full upgrade to Windows 11, or a carefully managed switch to another platform, every path forward requires a strategy. Ignoring the issue, on the other hand, opens the door to far larger problems.

What Comes Next

If no action has been taken since October, now is the time to make a change. Reassess your inventory of remaining Windows 10 machines. Map out what it would take to replace or upgrade them. Review policies related to device compliance and security; the longer outdated systems remain in use, the greater the chances of disruption.

Looking back on the Windows 10 sunset, one thing is clear: technology life cycles wait for no one. Staying current isn’t just about keeping up appearances or enjoying the latest features. It’s an essential step in protecting your business.