Still on Windows 10 because everything seems to be working okay?
Well, you’re not alone.
If you’ve signed up to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme, then things still work as they should.
It turns on. It gets security updates. And everything seems fine.
But that safety net won’t be there for long.
As of October 2025, official support ended for Windows 10. ESU was introduced to give those lagging with making the switch with a bit of a safety net.
It was never intended to be a long-term strategy.
And that safety net disappears in October 2026. Once that happens, Windows 10 stops receiving security updates altogether.
No patches. No fixes. No support.
The concerning part is that many are still putting that decision off.
Millions of PCs are still running Windows 10, even in regions where the support deadlines are well known.
Those numbers include home users, but many businesses are also in that mix.
Some businesses are still putting things off because everything still works and they haven’t encountered any technical problems, yet.
And with the support extension from Microsoft, Things don’t necessarily feel urgent.
The same screen that warns you that support is ending, also allows you to enrol in ESU.
For a lot of people, it becomes a problem for later and gives the sense that the issue has been solved.
It hasn’t.
ESU only gives you a short extension of time. Once October 2026 passes, staying on Windows 10 means your operating system becomes vulnerable, with no protection from new threats.
As a business, it’s not just a technical risk, but a commercial one too.
Cyber insurance, compliance standards, and supplier requirements increasingly expect businesses to use supported software.
At that stage, you either need to upgrade to Windows 11, or replace the device entirely.
This is where planning comes in. Some older PCs simply won’t support Windows 11. Others will but may need configuration changes or performance checks.
Leaving this until the last minute will often lead to rushed purchases, unhappy staff, and unnecessary costs.
If you’re still using extended support today, it should be there as part of a clear exit plan, not a holding pattern.
Because once ESU ends, support stops completely.
If you’re not sure if your current PCs are suitable to upgrade, or if you need to start organising some new hardware, now’s a good time to assess the options and plan the next step properly.
If you need help, feel free to reach out to us.
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