When Support Ends, Threats Don’t – The Windows 10 Security Gamble

Once support ends, the most obvious risk is the lack of security updates. Without these regular patches from Microsoft, vulnerabilities go unaddressed. These are often the same vulnerabilities that attackers exploit within days of becoming public knowledge.

For organisations handling sensitive client data, relying on unsupported systems can quickly create compliance issues and open doors to potential data breaches. It could also impact cyber insurance policies, which increasingly require up-to-date and supported software to validate claims.

While Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates, these are limited in scope, only available for certain editions, and come at a cost that increases each year. It’s a short-term fix at best, not a long-term solution.

Migrating to Windows 11 is more than just keeping up with Microsoft’s roadmap. It’s an opportunity to modernise your technology environment and improve the way your business operates.

Windows 11 offers a number of practical benefits:

• Improved performance and battery life, especially on newer devices
• A cleaner, more intuitive interface that supports productivity
• Deep integration with Microsoft 365, Teams, and OneDrive
• Built-in security enhancements such as TPM 2.0, Windows Hello, and Secure Boot

It’s also designed for the modern workplace, with better support for hybrid working, zero trust security principles, and device management through Microsoft Intune.

Windows 11 is helping lay the groundwork for a new era of AI-powered productivity. With Microsoft’s growing investment in artificial intelligence, many of the latest tools are being developed to run best on the Windows 11 platform.

One example is Microsoft 365 Copilot, a powerful AI assistant that integrates with apps like Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams to help employees summarise content, generate ideas, automate repetitive tasks and more. It’s a separate, paid subscription that builds on Microsoft 365, and it’s designed to improve the way people work across every department.

While Copilot isn’t built into Windows 11 by default, the operating system provides the modern architecture and security baseline needed to support these next-generation tools as they become more widely adopted.

Beyond technical features, there’s a very real impact on day-to-day productivity. As Windows 10 ages, its performance on newer hardware can feel sluggish. It lacks the refinements and integrations that staff have come to expect, especially those who are used to more modern experiences on mobile or personal devices.

Slow machines, missing features, and app compatibility problems all contribute to user frustration, which in turn affects morale and support workload. Your IT teams end up fighting fires instead of helping drive innovation or supporting long-term goals.

The temptation to delay is understandable, especially if things are working “well enough” for now. But the later you leave it, the fewer options you may have. Hardware refreshes take time. Application testing and compatibility checks need planning. Training users on a new environment requires proper communication.

There are also different transition paths to consider. You might upgrade existing devices, provided they meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements. In other cases, a full device refresh may be more practical. Alternatively, some organisations are exploring modern desktop solutions like Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop, which offer greater flexibility for hybrid work and reduce dependency on physical hardware.

Starting now doesn’t mean migrating overnight. It means giving your organisation time to choose the right approach and carry it out properly, with minimal disruption and maximum benefit.