Tech Insight: What Does the End of Windows 10 Support Mean?

What does the end of Windows 10 Support mean? It’s still a burning question, even though the countdown has been officially over for a month already!

As of 14 October 2025, Microsoft officially ended free support for Windows 10. No more free security patches, bug fixes, or feature updates! Windows 10 PCs will still turn on and run as usual, of course, but they’ll gradually become less secure and more vulnerable to emerging cyber threats.

Read time: 4 mins

If your business is still using Windows 10, you’re definitely not alone. It’s estimated that hundreds of millions of devices worldwide—including many in UK small businesses (and a whole host of big ones too!)—are still running it. For many firms, the challenge isn’t willingness to upgrade, it’s budget. Replacing a whole fleet of PCs simply isn’t realistic when every pound counts.

But all is not lost. There are safe, short-term options available—and ways to plan a sensible, affordable transition to modern, secure and fully supportable systems.

The Risks of Doing Nothing

Continuing to run Windows 10 without updates leaves your business exposed. Cyber-criminals often target unsupported systems because they know vulnerabilities will never be patched. Beyond the security risk, unsupported software may also invalidate your cyber-insurance, breach data-protection rules, or cause compatibility issues with newer software and cloud services.

The risk isn’t just theoretical—it’s cumulative. Every month that passes increases the number of known, unpatched vulnerabilities. In short, doing nothing isn’t free; it’s risky and potentially very costly (or even fatal to your business), in the long run.

Option 1: Buy More Time with Extended Security Updates (ESU)

To bridge the gap, Microsoft has introduced Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10. This paid programme provides three extra years of essential security patches—up to October 2028.

For businesses, the ESU cost starts at around $61 (approx. £50) per device in the first year, doubling each year after that. It’s not designed as a permanent solution, but it can buy valuable time to plan your upgrade properly.

In practical terms, ESU helps you:

Maintain compliance with security standards in the short term
Keep critical systems running safely while budgeting for new hardware
Avoid rushing into ill-timed or unsuitable upgrades

However, it’s a stopgap—not a long-term fix. By 2028, Windows 10 will be fully retired. And it’s not a cheap do if you’ve got a lot of PCs and laptops!

Option 2: Shift from CapEx to OpEx — Lease or Finance Your Devices

If replacing outdated PCs outright feels impossible, consider leasing or device-as-a-service models. Instead of paying thousands upfront, you spread the cost over time. This approach:

Turns a large capital expense into manageable monthly operating costs
Ensures your business always has modern, supported, and energy-efficient devices
Includes built-in support and upgrades, reducing downtime and maintenance stress

Leasing also makes it easier to stay compliant, secure, and predictable in your IT spending—especially useful for growing firms balancing cashflow with digital investment.

Your End of Windows 10 Support Survival Checklist

If you’re still running Windows 10, here’s what to do now:

Check eligibility for Windows 11 — Some PCs can upgrade free if they meet the hardware requirements (Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, compatible CPU).
Back up your data — Before any upgrade or system change, safeguard your files.
Up to date security software – while your anti-virus provider continues to support their product on Windows 10 and you make sure it keeps receiving virus signature updates regularly this will reduce your risk a little, but not entirely.
Evaluate your options — Compare the cost of ESU versus new hardware or leasing.
Review your cyber-insurance policy — Make sure unsupported systems don’t invalidate cover.
Get professional advice — A tailored IT strategy avoids waste and minimises disruption.
Plan your migration — Aim to move to Windows 11 (or another supported OS) before ESU ends.

Not sure what to do next?

You don’t have to face the end of Windows 10 support alone. At Cosurica, we’ll help you find the most practical way forward—whether that’s extending support, leasing new Windows 11 devices, or planning a smooth, budget-friendly upgrade.

Give us a call on 01535 358161 or visit www.cosurica.com to chat with our team and explore your options

Cosurica Can Help You!

At Cosurica, we understand the balancing act small businesses face between cost, compliance, and continuity. Whether you need short-term ESU coverage, advice on leasing modern Windows 11 devices, or a phased migration plan that fits your budget, we can help you find the right solution—keeping your systems secure without breaking the bank.

We’ll work with you to: