Windows 10 end of support: What you need to know now!
Support for Windows 10 will end on 14 October 2025. This means that Microsoft will also discontinue security updates and support for Office programs and Microsoft 365 apps on the old operating system. In this article, discover what this means for companies right now and why you should switch to Windows 11 as a matter of urgency.
Would you like to find out more about switching to Windows 11?
Write to us! Our expert Niklas Bayer looks forward to exchanging ideas with you.
First the good news – you will still be able to switch on and use PCs with Windows 10 after 14 October. But that’s about it. Everything else is ending – technical support, function updates and the important security updates from Microsoft will no longer be provided for Windows 10 from this date. The old operating system is retiring and so too are many of the computers on which it is still being used today. This has significant consequences for companies.
Hackers are relishing the ‘end of life’ of Windows 10.
If Windows 10 is still in use in your organisation after the end of support, you risk serious security, compliance and operational problems. This is because unpatched Windows 10 systems are more susceptible to new security vulnerabilities and cyber-attacks. For this reason, it isn’t only IT managers who are likely to mark 14 October in red in their calendars; many hackers wanting to target Windows 10 computers in the following period will do so too. This is because, unlike Windows 11, the predecessor does not have modern protection functions and ongoing security updates to protect it from attack.
This is because Microsoft support applies only to supported operating systems.
Word, Excel and Co. are also affected by the end of support.
The same applies to Microsoft 365 apps: associated applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint will continue to run on Windows 10 computers after the autumn but will no longer receive support. Windows 10 users will then be working with applications on an unsecured operating system and will be on their own in the event of problems. This is because Microsoft support applies only to supported operating systems. Errors and crashes could also become more frequent on Windows 10 devices in the future. While customers and competitors use the latest Office versions with new features – such as the AI assistant Microsoft Copilot – Windows 10 users will quickly appear old-fashioned.
Avoid waiting lists and delivery bottlenecks.
For these reasons, we recommend that you switch to the more modern and secure Windows 11 as soon as you are able! It isn’t long until autumn and, depending on the size of the company, migration projects of this kind can take several months. Because many companies are affected by the end of support and want to switch, you should make an appointment with your IT service provider early on – otherwise you may end up on their waiting list.
Another very important point is the hardware issue: in Germany alone, around 9 million end devices are not compatible with Windows 11. This means that they do not fulfil the system requirements because they are usually too old. A rush on Windows 11 devices is therefore to be expected this year, which could lead to supply bottlenecks. We therefore advise you to check your end devices and, if necessary, order new laptops or desktop computers that run Windows 11 stably in good time. It is advisable to tackle this task promptly.
As a reliable IT partner, we will be happy to assist you. We can advise you on all questions relating to Windows 11 migration and also offer you compatible end devices – all from a single source. In any case, I wish you a successful switch to Windows 11 and lots of fun with its new features.
Want to find out more about the end of support for Windows 10? Get specific tips from experts? Get to know the advantages of Windows 11? Then watch our webinar recording now!