By John Fisher, Westway IT.
In two months Windows 10 will no longer be supported by Microsoft. It is a ticking time bomb that puts you at risk if you are still using it. With still 48% of computers running Windows 10 in June 2025 that is a lot of computers that need to take swift action.
What does no longer supported mean?
The short version, no more security updates, this puts your business at risk as vulnerabilities will not be fixed, it will be easier to be hacked or compromised.
This does apply to both the home and business versions of Windows 10.
It also means software may not work as expected or you can not run newer versions of software. Windows 10 is 10 years old and we often see software and hardware providers end support for a platform when Microsoft does.
What are my options?
The first option is to do nothing, putting your business at risk and fail compliance requirements. We do not recommend this path.
If your computer can upgrade to Windows 11, do it. This will keep it up to date and receiving security updates.
If your computer can not upgrade to Windows 11 because it is not compatible you will need to replace it with a new computer. Computers which can not run Windows 11 are usually over 5 years old, replacing with a new computer will probably give you a performance boost, you didn’t even realise the old one was so slow.
The final option if you have specialist equipment that means you can not upgrade or replace and must stay on Windows 10 is extended security updates. These are available for the next three years however there is an annual cost and that cost doubles every year.
How can I check?
The quickest way to check if you have Windows 10 or Windows 11 is to look at your start button. If it is squared you are on Windows 11, if it slanted you are on Windows 10.
If you need assistance, consult with your IT professional to guide you through the process. Don’t wait until it’s too late, take steps now to safeguard your business and data.
About John
John Fisher, founder of Westway IT and GTIA Spotlight Award 2025 winner, passionate about helping businesses thrive with technology. With a BSc in Computer Science, he values integrity, education, and quality relationships. Active in tech community and Global Technology Industry Association, John simplifies IT and creates scalable strategies.
