Support for Windows 10 ended on 14 October 2025.
For the millions of UK businesses still running the operating system—
Windows 10 still holds 42.7% of active Windows desktops as of November 2025
—this isn’t a minor technical change. It’s a critical security and compliance deadline that demands immediate action. If your Kent SME is among those who’ve delayed upgrading, you’re now operating on borrowed time.
In this post, we’ll explain exactly what the end of Windows 10 support means for your business, the very real risks of staying put, and the practical options available to you right now.
What Does Windows 10 End of Life Actually Mean?
When Microsoft says support has “ended,” it means your Windows 10 computers will continue to function day-to-day, but
Microsoft no longer provides software updates, security fixes, or technical assistance to Windows 10 PCs.
This has serious implications:
- No more security patches:
Your PC will no longer receive regular security updates, making the device more vulnerable and susceptible to viruses and malware. - No bug fixes: Problems that emerge won’t be resolved by Microsoft.
- No technical support:
Microsoft customer service will no longer be available to provide Windows 10 technical support. - Performance degradation:
Windows 10 PCs may also experience slower performance and functionality across the device and applications.
For businesses in regulated sectors—healthcare, finance, legal—
remaining on unsupported systems can lead to non-compliance, fines, and reputational damage.
Even if your industry isn’t heavily regulated, the security risks alone should be enough to prompt action.
Why Staying on Windows 10 Is a Security Liability
The lack of security updates is the single biggest risk.
Once those cumulative updates stop, the operating system will no longer receive patches to protect it against new security vulnerabilities.
Cybercriminals actively target known vulnerabilities in unsupported systems because they know patches will never arrive.
Your device will become increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats like malware, ransomware, and data breaches.
This isn’t theoretical—attackers routinely exploit unpatched systems, and a single compromised workstation can be the entry point for a business-wide ransomware attack. For advice on protecting your business, see our guide on preparing for the next wave of ransomware attacks.
Other software vendors are also scaling back support. Microsoft 365 Apps will continue to function on Windows 10, but
we strongly recommend upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid performance and reliability issues over time.
While
security updates for Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 will continue until 10 October 2028,
this is a temporary reprieve, not a long-term solution.
Your Three Options: Upgrade, Extend, or Replace
UK SMEs facing the Windows 10 end of life have three realistic paths forward. Let’s examine each one.
1. Upgrade to Windows 11
For most businesses, upgrading to Windows 11 is the best long-term option. The upgrade is free if your hardware meets the requirements, and you’ll benefit from enhanced security features, improved performance, and ongoing support from Microsoft.
Windows 11 usage in corporations has now surpassed the 50%-mark in all industries, with 60.1% of all deployments worldwide running Windows 11. This marks another sharp increase of 9.5% since July and 26.3% since the beginning of 2025.
Hardware requirements: Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module), a compatible processor, and Secure Boot capability. Many PCs purchased from 2017 onwards meet these requirements, but not all. You can check compatibility by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and selecting “Check for updates.”
If your existing hardware doesn’t support Windows 11, you’ll need to consider new devices. This is also an opportunity to review your broader IT infrastructure—see our post on signs your business server needs replacing if you’re considering a wider refresh.
2. Purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU)
If you’re not ready to upgrade immediately, Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates.
The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme gives customers the option to receive security updates for PCs enrolled in the programme. ESU is a paid programme that provides individuals and organisations of all sizes with the option to extend the use of Windows 10 devices past the end of support date in a more secure manner.
Pricing: For businesses,
ESU starts at $61 per device for Year 1, doubling each year up to three years.
For consumers,
the cost is $30 for one year (Home/Pro editions).
If a business delays enrolment, cumulative fees apply. For example, enrolling in Year 2 costs $183 (Year 1 + Year 2), and enrolling in Year 3 costs $427 (all three years combined). This option provides breathing room for organisations to plan their transition without rushing, but it’s a temporary solution because all ESU support ends in 2028.
Important limitations:
The ESU programme does not include feature updates or technical support.
You’re buying time, not a permanent fix. Many large organisations are using ESU strategically—
covering mission-critical systems whilst executing staged migrations for everything else. For large enterprises, the per-device ESU cost is often substantially lower than the disruption costs of a migration—compatibility testing, deployment planning, user retraining, and potential productivity loss during rollout.
3. Replace Incompatible Hardware
If your current fleet cannot run Windows 11 and ESU costs mount up, replacing hardware may be the most cost-effective long-term solution.
An IT Pro Labs survey estimates that the typical endpoint refresh for SMEs runs to £680, excluding the ancillary costs of software reconfiguration and the time investment for end-user retraining.
Modern devices come with better security features, improved performance, and support for emerging technologies. When evaluating new hardware, consider not just immediate needs but where your business will be in three to five years. If you’re considering cloud infrastructure alongside new hardware, read our guide on cloud vs on-premise setups for Kent SMEs.
Why UK SMEs Have Been Slow to Migrate
Despite the deadline having passed months ago, adoption has lagged.
A survey reveals 62% of businesses in the small and medium bracket admit they have postponed or stopped the upgrade, pointing to constrained budgets, lingering compatibility problems, and a scepticism about measurable return.
The Windows 11 migration has progressed far more slowly than previous transitions, taking four years to reach 50% adoption, compared to three years for Windows 10.
The strict hardware requirements have been a major barrier—
hardware incompatibility affected hundreds of millions of devices, slowing migration speed.
For many Kent businesses, the issue isn’t desire—it’s budget, timing, and the complexity of managing a transition without disrupting day-to-day operations. However,
security concerns are the primary reason organisations are upgrading to Windows 11.
Those who’ve made the jump report benefits:
60% of those who’ve migrated cite improved security as the top benefit.
Steps to Take This Week
If you haven’t already started your Windows 10 migration, here are the urgent steps to take:
- Audit your hardware: Identify which devices can support Windows 11 and which cannot.
- Assess software compatibility: Test your critical business applications on Windows 11 to identify any issues.
- Evaluate costs: Compare the cost of ESU subscriptions against new hardware purchases over the next 12–36 months.
- Prioritise devices: Migrate your most security-sensitive systems first—finance, client data, admin—then work through the rest of your fleet.
- Plan training: Budget time for staff to familiarise themselves with Windows 11’s interface and new features.
- Back up everything: Before any migration, ensure robust backups are in place. Our guide to Microsoft 365 backup strategies can help.
Compliance is another consideration. Many cybersecurity frameworks, including Cyber Essentials certification, expect businesses to run supported, up-to-date operating systems. Running unsupported software can jeopardise your certification status.
How Meridian Micro Can Help
At Meridian Micro, we’ve been guiding Kent and South East businesses through technology transitions for years. We understand that for a small business, upgrading an entire office isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a financial and operational one. We can:
- Assess your current hardware and advise on upgrade vs. replace decisions
- Plan and execute a phased migration that minimises disruption
- Source and install new hardware where needed
- Ensure your backups, security, and compliance requirements are met throughout the process
- Provide ongoing support to keep your new Windows 11 environment secure and performing well
Don’t leave your business exposed to security risks or compliance failures. If you’re still running Windows 10 and unsure of your next steps, call us today on 01303 883111 or get in touch via our contact page. We’ll help you plan a smooth, cost-effective transition that keeps your business secure and productive.