Windows 10 End-Of-Support: What to Expect

As technology continues to evolve, so do the operating systems that power our businesses. Microsoft follows a structured lifecycle for its software, ensuring that users have access to the latest innovations while phasing out older versions that can no longer meet modern security and performance standards. This process, which includes pesky acronyms like End of Support (EOS) and End of Life (EOL), is a critical milestone that signals the end of official support, updates, and security patches for a particular product. Windows 10 will be EOS on October 14, 2025.

End of Support Impact on Your Business

No More Scheduled Patches or Free Software Updates

Once an operating system reaches EOS, Microsoft stops releasing security patches and free updates. This means that any newly discovered vulnerabilities will remain unpatched, making your systems an easy target for cyber threats. Without ongoing updates, businesses using Windows 10 post-EOS are at a significantly higher risk of data breaches, malware attacks, and ransomware.

For Centre customers, we can still provide you with basic service, however, we cannot provide you with patching services or guarantee complete compliance and cybersecurity protection in the event you wish to remain on Windows 10 systems. 

Potential Compliance Issues

Many industries have strict regulatory requirements regarding data protection and cybersecurity. Running an unsupported operating system can lead to non-compliance with standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI-DSS. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines, legal ramifications, and reputational damage.

This is also relevant to Cybersecurity Insurance. The fact of the matter is, there's probably not a single company that will insure your businesses with an outdated system like Windows 10. 

Outdates Infrastructure Slows Down Your System

Technology is designed to evolve, and outdated software can cause significant performance issues. Unsupported operating systems can become incompatible with newer applications and hardware, leading to decreased productivity, system crashes, and operational inefficiencies.

Slow systems mean less production which means less revenue generation. Clearly Microsoft 10 EOS is more than just a nuisance (which it kinda is if you're currently dealing with it): it's cyber protection, company-wide compliance, and financially relevant. 

Next Steps for those using windows 10

1. Get in Touch with Your Tech Team or MSP: Whether you have an in-house IT department or work with a Managed Service Provider (MSP), now is the time to start discussing upgrade strategies (like yesterday). For Centre, this means scheduling a call with your vCIO or bringing it up in your next TBR (if your vCIO hasn't already!). Your tech team can evaluate your current infrastructure and recommend the best course of action to ensure a smooth transition.
   
   
2. Begin Planning Your Migration: Upgrading to a newer operating system or transitioning to cloud-based solutions requires careful planning. Consider factors such as hardware compatibility, software licensing, and data migration strategies to minimize disruption to your business operations.
   
   
3. Consider Upgrading to Windows 11 or Alternative Solutions: Microsoft typically provides upgrade paths for businesses transitioning from an older operating system. Windows 11, or other available enterprise solutions, may offer enhanced security, improved performance, and better integration with modern applications. However, as you can imagine, with Windows 10 hitting the chopping block, Windows 11 is next. Consider a migration to a newer system for less headaches in the future. 
   
   Regardless, it's best for you to discuss these options with your IT team first to avoid any compliance or cybersecurity risks after the migration. 

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