Windows 10 End of Support: What Small Businesses Should Do Now

What you will need: each Windows 10 computer in your office, about 15 minutes per computer, and a list (paper or spreadsheet) to write down what you find.

What "end of support" means

"End of support" is the date after which Microsoft stops providing free fixes for a version of Windows. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.

Since then, Windows 10 no longer gets:

• Security updates: fixes for newly discovered weaknesses that criminals can use to break in.
• Feature and quality updates: improvements and bug fixes.
• Technical support from Microsoft for Windows 10 problems.

Your computers didn't stop working that day. They still start up and run your programs. The difference is that they no longer get protection against new threats, unless they're enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates program (covered in Step 5).

Why it matters for a small business

• Security gaps stay open. Every newly found weakness stays unpatched on Windows 10, which makes those computers easier targets the longer they stay in use.
• Software support will fade. Makers of accounting, printing, and security software will gradually stop testing and supporting their products on Windows 10. Check with the vendors you rely on.
• Rules or contracts may require supported software. Payment-card security rules expect systems to receive security patches, and cyber insurance applications often ask about unsupported software. Check your own card processor agreement, insurance policy, and client contracts.

Step 1: Make a list of your computers

1. Write down every computer your business uses, including home-office machines and any laptop an employee takes home.
2. Next to each one, note who uses it and what business software runs on it.

Step 2: Confirm which version of Windows each computer runs

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
2. Type winver and press Enter.
3. A small window opens. If it says Windows 10, that computer is affected. If it says Windows 11, it's already on the newer version.
4. Write the result on your list.

Step 3: Check whether each computer can run Windows 11

Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, so some older computers can't upgrade. Microsoft's main requirements include a compatible 64-bit processor, 4 GB of memory (RAM), 64 GB of storage, Secure Boot, and a security chip called TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module, a small chip that protects encryption keys and sign-in information).

The easiest way to check:

1. Click Start, then Settings (the gear icon).
2. Click Update & Security, then Windows Update.
3. If the computer is eligible, you'll see an offer to upgrade to Windows 11. If it isn't, you'll usually see a note that the PC doesn't meet the requirements.
4. For more detail, Microsoft's free PC Health Check app reports whether a computer is compatible and, if not, why. Download it from Microsoft's Windows 11 page, not from a third-party site.
5. Mark each computer on your list as Eligible or Not eligible.

Step 4: Back up before you change anything

1. Copy important files (documents, spreadsheets, accounting data, photos) to an external drive or a cloud storage service you already use.
2. Confirm you can open a few of the backed-up files.
3. Write down the logins and license keys for your business software, since some programs need to be reinstalled or re-activated after a major change.

Our guide to the 3-2-1 backup rule explains how to make a backup you can rely on.

Step 5: Choose a path for each computer

Option A: Upgrade to Windows 11 (eligible computers). Microsoft offers the upgrade at no extra cost for eligible Windows 10 computers. After backing up, follow the prompts in Windows Update. Allow time for the upgrade to finish, and check that your key programs and printers work afterward.

Option B: Replace the computer (not-eligible computers). If a computer can't run Windows 11, replacing it is usually the cleanest long-term fix. When you shop, confirm the computer comes with Windows 11 and has enough memory and storage for your work. If you need help choosing, get in touch and we can talk it through.

Option C: Extended Security Updates (ESU), as a short-term bridge. ESU is a Microsoft program that delivers security fixes only (no new features) to Windows 10 computers for a limited time. There are two versions:

• The business program is for computers your business manages centrally, for example ones joined to a company domain or managed through Microsoft Entra or Intune. It's sold per computer, one year at a time, the price goes up each year, and coverage ends for good in October 2028. If you join late, you also pay for the years you missed.
• The consumer program runs through October 12, 2027, and can apply to standalone computers signed in with a personal Microsoft account. Microsoft offers a few ways to enroll, including a no-cost option tied to Windows Backup. Managed business computers aren't eligible for it.

Which one fits your office depends on how your computers are set up, so check Microsoft's ESU page for current terms and enrollment steps. Either way, treat ESU as a way to buy time, not a permanent plan.

Step 6: Set a simple schedule

1. Do the computers that are eligible and not business-critical first. They're the lowest risk.
2. Plan replacements for the not-eligible computers, starting with the ones that handle sensitive information, such as customer records, payments, or banking.
3. Schedule changes for a quiet time, such as an evening or weekend, so work isn't interrupted.
4. Leave a few days afterward to catch problems with printers, scanners, or special software.

Once your computers are on Windows 11, our guide on keeping your business software up to date helps you stay current without surprises.

If you can't move right away

• Keep your other software updated, especially your web browser and antivirus.
• Be extra careful on Windows 10 computers: don't open unexpected attachments or browse unfamiliar sites.
• Limit what those computers do. Keep them off sensitive tasks such as banking where possible.
• Keep your backups current.

Questions to answer before you finish

• How many computers are on Windows 10, and how many are eligible for Windows 11?
• Does any key business software have its own requirements for Windows 11?
• Do you have a recent backup of everything important?
• Do any contracts, card processor agreements, or insurance policies require supported software?

If you're in Southeast Michigan and would like a second pair of eyes on your list or a plan for your office, we're happy to help.