Windows 10 Support Has Ended: A Practical Plan for Small Businesses

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. If your office still has computers running this system, this article will help you plan your next steps calmly and in an orderly way.

What the end of support means

The end of support does not mean that a computer will shut down one day. Devices running Windows 10 will still start up and work. However, according to Microsoft, after this date such computers no longer receive security updates, feature updates or technical support.

For a business, the main risk is precisely the absence of security updates. New vulnerabilities will be discovered, but fixes for them will no longer arrive on these computers. If such a computer stores accounting files or customer data, or is used to log in to a bank system, this issue deserves attention.

How to start: take inventory of your computers

The first step is simple: make a table showing every computer, its user, its Windows version and its age. Often it turns out that only a few devices are still on Windows 10, for example the old accountant's computer or the reception machine.

How to check compatibility with Windows 11

According to Microsoft, to upgrade from Windows 10 the device must be running Windows 10 version 2004 or later. To check compatibility, Microsoft offers a free app called PC Health Check. It shows you whether the computer meets the requirements, and if it does not, it also indicates the reason.

The main requirements for Windows 11 are:

• A supported 64-bit processor
• 4 GB of RAM
• 64 GB of storage
• UEFI and Secure Boot support
• TPM version 2.0

Often a computer formally fails the check simply because TPM or Secure Boot is turned off in the settings. To see the TPM status, press Windows + R, type tpm.msc and open it. If TPM is shown and its version is 2.0, it may be enough to turn it on in the BIOS/UEFI settings. After this change, repeat the check. If the processor is not supported, such a computer cannot be upgraded in a supported way.

How to carry out the upgrade

If the computer is eligible, the upgrade can be done in two ways: through Windows Update, when the system offers you the move to Windows 11, or with Microsoft's official Windows 11 Installation Assistant. In both cases, back up your important files beforehand, even if the upgrade keeps files and programs. After the upgrade, install all pending updates and check whether the accounting software, the printer and other work tools function properly.

It is advisable to try one or two computers first and only then move on to the rest. This way you can easily see which specialized program needs attention.

What to do with computers that cannot be upgraded

In this case there are two paths: replacing the device or a temporary solution.

The temporary solution is the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. According to Microsoft Learn documentation, it allows computers to keep receiving critical and important security updates after the end of support, as an annual subscription. For organizations' computers this is possible for a maximum of three years, until October 2028. To enroll in the program, the device must be running Windows 10 version 22H2.

It is important to understand that ESU is only a temporary bridge. It does not include new features, non-security updates or regular technical support. Therefore, it makes sense to use it for computers that you are already planning to replace.

Other options are to use the old computer only for isolated tasks that do not require an internet connection, or to replace it with a modern device.

As for Microsoft 365 apps

According to Microsoft, security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 will continue for three years and end on October 10, 2028. However, this does not change the fact that the operating system itself no longer receives regular security updates. Therefore, an up-to-date version of the Office apps does not replace a Windows update.

Quick checklist

• List all computers and note the Windows version
• Run PC Health Check on every Windows 10 device
• Check TPM and Secure Boot if the result points to that reason
• Back up important files
• Upgrade compatible computers, starting with one or two test devices
• For computers that cannot be upgraded, choose ESU or a replacement plan and set a specific deadline
• After the upgrade, check work programs and printers

If you need help with this process, Appy.ge, a Georgian IT company and an official Microsoft CSP partner, is ready to help you with taking inventory of your computers, checking compatibility and planning the transition.

Sources:
• Windows 10 support has ended on October 14, 2025 - Microsoft Support - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/updates-lifecycle/windows-10-support-has-ended-on-october-14-2025
• Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 - Microsoft Learn - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/extended-security-updates
• Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements - Microsoft - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications
• Windows 10 to 11 - Microsoft Q&A - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/6045580/windows-10-to-11