The End of an Era: Windows 10 Support Has Ended

If you’re still running Windows 10 on your business computers, you’re not alone but you may be at risk. As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10, meaning no more security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance for the operating system that has powered businesses worldwide for a decade.

This isn’t just a minor inconvenience. According to Dell Technologies, approximately 1 billion PCs worldwide are still running Windows 10, with roughly half of those being too old to meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements. For Australian businesses, this creates an urgent need to assess, plan, and act.

What Does Windows 10 End of Life Mean for Your Business?

When Microsoft ends support for an operating system, it stops providing critical services that keep your systems secure and functional. Here’s what this means in practical terms:

Security Vulnerabilities

Without regular security patches, your systems become increasingly vulnerable to new malware, ransomware, and cyberattacks. Hackers specifically target unsupported operating systems because they know vulnerabilities will never be patched. Every month that passes increases your exposure to threats.

Software Incompatibility

New applications and software updates are increasingly designed for Windows 11. Over time, you may find that critical business applications, productivity tools, and security software no longer support Windows 10, leading to functionality issues and workflow disruptions.

Compliance Concerns

For businesses operating under regulatory frameworks such as the Australian Privacy Act, Essential Eight, or industry-specific compliance requirements, running unsupported software can create serious compliance gaps. This could expose your organisation to legal liability, fines, and reputational damage.

The Scale of the Problem: A Billion PCs Still Running Windows 10

The statistics around Windows 10 end of life reveal just how significant this transition is. During Dell’s recent earnings call, Vice Chairman and COO Jeffrey Clarke provided stark figures: out of an estimated 1.5 billion Windows PCs worldwide, approximately 500 million are capable of running Windows 11 but haven’t been upgraded, while another 500 million are more than four years old and cannot run Windows 11 without hardware replacement.

This means that roughly half of all Windows 10 devices globally face a difficult choice: find a way to upgrade, replace the hardware entirely, or continue running an unsupported and increasingly vulnerable operating system.

What Users Are Saying: Community Perspectives

Online communities have been vocal about the challenges posed by the Windows 10 to Windows 11 transition. Many users express frustration with the technical barriers they face when attempting to upgrade.

“My old computer wouldn’t support Windows 11 without around 15 incremental BIOS updates, and I said no to that,” shared one user in an online discussion about the upgrade challenges.

“For the record, I ‘just needed to enable safe boot’ on my Ryzen and it was several hours of non-trivial work from someone who is generally competent in IT and programming,” another community member confirmed.

These sentiments reflect a common experience: even technically capable users find the upgrade process daunting. Windows 11 requires the newer GPT (GUID Partition Table) disk format instead of the traditional MBR (Master Boot Record) format that many older PCs use. This often means that upgrading requires either complex technical procedures or completely wiping and reinstalling the system.

The general consensus in online discussions is clear: most people don’t actively upgrade their operating systems. They keep whatever version came with their PC until they eventually replace the entire machine. This behaviour pattern explains why so many Windows 10 systems remain in use despite Windows 11’s availability since late 2021.

Windows 11 System Requirements: Why Many PCs Can’t Upgrade

Understanding why so many devices can’t upgrade to Windows 11 requires examining Microsoft’s minimum hardware requirements. These requirements were designed to ensure security and performance but have created significant barriers for older hardware:

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor—crucially, the CPU must be from Microsoft’s approved list, which excludes many older processors
• Memory: 4 GB or greater
• Storage: 64 GB or greater available disk space
• TPM 2.0: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 is required—this is often the primary barrier as many older motherboards either lack TPM 2.0 or have it disabled by default
• UEFI and Secure Boot: Systems must support UEFI firmware and Secure Boot capability
• Display: High definition (720p) display greater than 9 inches diagonally

The TPM 2.0 requirement has proven particularly problematic. While many modern systems include TPM capability, it’s often disabled by default in the BIOS. Enabling it can require navigating complex BIOS settings, updating firmware, or in some cases, is simply not possible on older hardware where the TPM chip is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded.

Your Options: How to Move Forward

If your business is still running Windows 10, you have several paths forward. The right choice depends on your hardware capabilities, budget, timeline, and risk tolerance.

Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11 (For Compatible Devices)

If your devices meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements, upgrading is the most straightforward solution. The upgrade is free for licensed Windows 10 users and provides access to Microsoft’s latest security features, ongoing support, and new capabilities including enhanced productivity tools and AI features.

Steps to assess compatibility:

1. Run Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool to verify eligibility
2. Check if TPM 2.0 is enabled in your BIOS settings
3. Verify your processor is on Microsoft’s supported CPU list
4. Ensure Secure Boot is enabled in UEFI firmware
5. Back up all critical data before beginning the upgrade

Option 2: Purchase New Hardware

For devices that cannot meet Windows 11 requirements, purchasing new hardware may be the most practical solution. Modern Windows 11 PCs come with built-in security features, improved performance, and the peace of mind of ongoing support. While this requires capital investment, it eliminates technical complexity and ensures your business operates on a secure, supported platform.

You can Purchase Hardware from JB-Hifi, Officeworks or any other hardware supplier. 

If you are looking for pursonalised recommendation and want to purchase windows 11 Pro operating system hardware for business. You can visit our online store https://store.synex.com.au

Option 3: Extended Security Updates (ESU)

Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates as a temporary bridge for those who need more time to transition. This program provides critical and important security updates beyond the end-of-support date, giving organisations additional time to plan and execute their migration.

ESU Pricing:

• Consumer/Home users: $30 USD for one year of updates (through October 2026)
• Business/Enterprise (Year 1): $61 USD per device
• Business/Enterprise (Year 2): $122 USD per device (price doubles)
• Business/Enterprise (Year 3): $244 USD per device (price doubles again)

Important: ESU is cumulative—if you join in Year 2, you must also pay for Year 1. The program is designed to be a temporary solution, not a long-term strategy. For businesses with multiple devices, the costs can add up quickly, potentially making hardware replacement more economical over the three-year maximum period.

Environmental Considerations: The E-Waste Challenge

The Windows 10 end of life situation raises important environmental questions. Research from Canalys suggests that approximately 240 million PCs could become unusable due to Windows 11 compatibility issues, potentially generating significant electronic waste.

For environmentally conscious businesses, this creates an ethical dimension to the transition decision. Options to minimise e-waste include: properly recycling devices that cannot be upgraded through certified e-waste programs, repurposing older hardware for less critical tasks, donating functional equipment to schools or charities, or exploring alternative operating systems like Linux for suitable use cases.

Steps to Prepare Your Business

Regardless of which path you choose, a structured approach to the transition will minimise disruption and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

1. Conduct a Complete Device Inventory

Start by documenting every device in your organisation running Windows 10. Include details about hardware specifications, age, current condition, and the user or department it serves. This inventory will be essential for planning your upgrade strategy.

2. Assess Windows 11 Compatibility

Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool or enterprise tools like Microsoft Intune to evaluate each device’s compatibility with Windows 11. Categorise devices into three groups: ready to upgrade, upgradable with configuration changes (such as enabling TPM), and requiring replacement.

3. Verify Application Compatibility

Before upgrading, ensure all critical business applications, line-of-business software, and peripherals are compatible with Windows 11. Some legacy applications may require updates, alternative solutions, or virtualisation to function properly.

4. Back Up Everything

Before any upgrade or migration, ensure all critical data is backed up and verified. This includes documents, databases, application configurations, and user settings. A comprehensive backup strategy protects against data loss during the transition.

5. Plan Your Rollout Strategy

Develop a phased approach to upgrades rather than attempting to transition all devices simultaneously. Prioritise devices based on security risk, user criticality, and operational impact. Test the upgrade process with a pilot group before broader deployment.

6. Budget for Hardware Replacement

For devices that cannot be upgraded, develop a realistic budget and timeline for hardware replacement. Consider leasing options or staged replacement programs to spread costs over time while prioritising the most critical or vulnerable systems first.

Why Professional IT Support Matters During This Transition

The Windows 10 to Windows 11 transition is more complex than previous Windows upgrades. Between hardware compatibility issues, TPM configuration, application compatibility testing, and data migration, there are numerous opportunities for things to go wrong. Professional IT support can help you:

• Accurately assess your current environment and identify all devices requiring attention
• Configure BIOS settings, enable TPM, and resolve technical barriers to upgrade
• Test and ensure application compatibility before and after migration
• Implement proper backup and recovery procedures to protect your data
• Execute upgrades efficiently with minimal disruption to your operations
• Source and deploy replacement hardware when upgrades aren’t possible
• Provide ongoing support and troubleshooting during and after the transition

How Synex Technology Can Help

At Synex Technology, we understand the challenges Australian businesses face with the Windows 10 end of life transition. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, we have the expertise, tools, and experience to guide your organisation through this critical period.

Our Windows 10 to Windows 11 Upgrade Services include:

• Comprehensive Environment Assessment: We’ll audit your entire Windows 10 fleet, identify compatibility issues, and provide clear recommendations tailored to your business
• Strategic Migration Planning: We’ll develop a detailed migration plan that minimises downtime and ensures business continuity
• Technical Upgrade Services: Our certified technicians handle BIOS configuration, TPM enablement, Windows 11 deployment, and application compatibility testing
• Hardware Procurement: When replacement is necessary, we source and deploy Windows 11-ready hardware at competitive prices
• Microsoft 365 Integration: We ensure your Windows 11 deployment integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, Azure, and other Microsoft cloud services
• Ongoing Support: Post-migration support to address any issues and optimise your new Windows 11 environment

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Every day that passes without addressing your Windows 10 devices increases your security risk. The longer you wait, the more complex and costly the transition becomes. Whether you need to upgrade compatible devices, replace older hardware, or implement a phased migration strategy, Synex Technology is here to help.

Contact Synex Technology today for a free Windows 10 assessment and discover the best path forward for your business.

Visit synex.com.au or call us to speak with a Microsoft solutions expert.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Windows 10 support end?

Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, Windows 10 no longer receives free security updates, bug fixes, or technical support.

Can I still use Windows 10 after end of support?

Yes, Windows 10 will continue to function, but it will no longer receive security updates. This makes your system increasingly vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks. You can either upgrade to Windows 11, purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU), or accept the associated security risks.

How much do Extended Security Updates cost?

For consumers, ESU costs $30 USD for one year of updates. For businesses, ESU costs $61 USD per device for the first year, with prices doubling each subsequent year ($122 in Year 2, $244 in Year 3). The program runs for a maximum of three years for enterprise customers and one year for consumers.

Why can’t my PC upgrade to Windows 11?

Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including TPM 2.0, Secure Boot capability, and specific CPU requirements. Many PCs manufactured before 2018 don’t meet these requirements. You can check compatibility using Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool.

Is the Windows 11 upgrade free?

Yes, upgrading to Windows 11 is free for devices with a valid Windows 10 license that meet the hardware requirements. However, if your device doesn’t meet the requirements, you may need to purchase new hardware.

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Published: December 2025 | Author: Synex Technology | Category: IT Security, Microsoft Solutions