Windows 10 End of Life -How to prepare your business for migration

Important news for Windows users – We’re now 500 days away from End of Life (EOL) of Windows 10, an operating system that nearly 70% of people worldwide use today.

From 14 October 2025, Microsoft will stop rolling out updates and assisted support for the operating system, meaning users must choose to upgrade to Windows 11 or potentially fall prey to security vulnerabilities.

Making sure you’re prepared for the change is important to keeping your business running as smoothly as possible. In partnering with a trusted IT service provider, you gain access to a team of experienced experts who understand the challenges that migration brings, and are well equipped to handle them; making this the perfect time to assess your organisations IT skills and resources in house.

What does this mean for me?

While 500 days may seem like a long time, we know that company-wide migrations to new operating systems have been known to take years in the past. Many of your existing devices might not be compatible with Windows 11, meaning the demand for new hardware will likely skyrocket come October, along with the prices.

Early planning and understanding the implications of upgrading to the latest version of Windows is key to keep your business running securely and efficiently.

For organisations that do not have the IT resources in place to manage the switch, support from experienced IT service providers should be considered to help your business migrate to Windows 11.

If you delay in upgrading, you’ll eventually start to experience compatibility and performance problems, such as visual glitches, unresponsive applications and reduced system stability.

What do I need to do?

If your company holds a security certification such as ISO27001, Cyber Essentials or you just want to keep your business secure, you will need to upgrade all desktops and laptops to Windows 11 or use the Microsoft Extended Security Updates service, which comes at an additional cost.

Businesses will need to do a few things to prepare for the migration:

• Audit your hardware to check it is compatible with Windows 11. If not, you may need to purchase new hardware.
• Ensure all software is compatible
• Create an upgrade plan and timeline for staff to prepare them for the transition
• Train staff in using the new system 1-2 weeks before upgrading

What are the benefits of Windows 11?

• User-friendly and easy to navigate
• It works with your hardware to help keep your information and your data secure
• Designed with the workplace in mind and optimised for remote working
• You can take advantage of hyper-intelligent AI features through Microsoft Copilot - an automation tool used to improve productivity

We understand that changes can be difficult to integrate company wide, that’s why our expert consultants are here to help, answer any questions you might have about the migration process, or to offer support in making the transition as smooth as possible

Find out more about our new Sure Business Suite offering