Microsoft plans to discontinue support for both Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 apps (formerly known as Office apps) running on Windows 10 operating systems as of October 14, 2025. Any businesses still using Windows 10 operating systems will need to act before this deadline to maintain cyber protection.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming changes and how they could impact your organisation.
What does end-of-support mean?
When Microsoft ends support for a product, it means:
- No security updates: Vulnerabilities discovered after the support date will not be patched, leaving systems exposed to cyber threats.
- Potential compatibility issues: Over time, newer applications and hardware may not work with unsupported, older operating systems.
- No technical support: Businesses will lose access to Microsoft’s official support channels for troubleshooting.
IMPORTANT: For organisations running specialised systems (such as EPOS systems) and Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) versions (such as Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021) these will continue to receive updates beyond October 2025.
What are the risks of continuing with Windows 10?
If you continue with Windows 10, the risks include:
- Increased security vulnerabilities: Unsupported systems become prime targets for cyberattacks, including ransomware and phishing campaigns.
- Operational disruptions: Experiencing compatibility issues with modern applications could disrupt workflows and require costly workarounds.
- Regulatory compliance risks: Businesses in regulated industries may face penalties for running outdated, unsupported software, as it is non-compliant with many data protection standards.
While Microsoft 365 apps will technically continue to function on Windows 10 beyond the deadline, users may experience:
- Security concerns: Lack of updates increases exposure to data breaches, compromising your cyber security.
- Performance and reliability issues: Applications may perform worse over time as they are optimised for newer systems.
- Missing features and functionality: Microsoft 365 applications will no longer receive new features and functionality on Windows 10 devices.
What should you do as a business do to prepare?
Put simply, the best thing you can do as a business to prepare for Windows 10 end-of-support is beat the rush and upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible (if you haven’t already).
Microsoft strongly recommends upgrading to Windows 11 to ensure continued access to security updates and compatibility with Microsoft applications, such as Microsoft 365 (including Word, Excel, Outlook etc).
How to plan your transition to Windows 11
To minimise disruption, we recommend:
- Upgrading well ahead of the October deadline, allowing plenty of time to migrate applications and data to new devices.
- Be prepared to upgrade other, incompatible applications as needed.
- Invest in training and prepare staff for the changes they’ll face when migrating to Windows 11.
Key considerations include:
- Hardware requirements: Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and other modern hardware features. Older PCs may not be suitable for the upgrade.
- Device refresh: For systems that don’t meet Windows 11’s requirements, purchasing new hardware will be necessary.
PC Comms can help your business prepare for Windows 11
As your IT support partner, PC Comms can help you with the Windows 11 transition process – and much more. We assist with comprehensive system audits and upgrade strategies, and the deployment of Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 on eligible devices. We can also help mitigate the risks associated with unsupported systems.
The end-of-support for Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 apps marks a significant turning point for businesses. While the 14 October 2025 deadline may seem distant, proactive planning is essential to ensure a smooth transition and avoid costly disruptions. Reach out to us today to start preparing for the future and safeguard your IT infrastructure.
