Insights
Insights
This month marks a major turning point for IT environments across the UK: Windows 10 will reach end-of-life on 14 October 2025.
From that date, Microsoft will stop releasing free security updates, patches and mainstream support for the popular OS. For organisations that haven’t yet migrated, the impact is both immediate and long-lasting.
“Windows 10 isn’t going to suddenly break,” says Tim Walker, Managing Director of Aura Technology. “But every day you run unsupported software, your risk of exploitation increases – and your options shrink.”
While Microsoft has announced a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme, the conditions remain complex. Some plans require Microsoft accounts or enterprise licensing, and pricing remains unclear for many organisations.
“Relying on ESU as a long-term strategy is risky,” Tim warns. “Even if you can technically access it, you’re essentially paying a premium for limited, temporary protection.”
Compounding the issue, some hardware vendors have already started reducing driver support for Windows 10 – even ahead of the deadline. This means systems could lose functionality or performance, regardless of Microsoft’s position.
Without security updates, Windows 10 systems become increasingly attractive to cybercriminals. Exploits targeting unsupported systems are rarely patched, making them long-term liabilities.
“We saw this with Windows XP and again with Vista,” Tim notes. “Once mainstream support ends, attackers shift focus fast and every unpatched machine becomes a weak link in your digital supply chain.”
The longer your organisation holds onto legacy systems, the more attractive your infrastructure becomes as a target.
Many businesses assume their existing hardware will seamlessly upgrade to Windows 11. But real-world feedback tells a different story.
“We’ve seen multiple cases where perfectly capable machines were flagged as ‘incompatible’ due to security settings or firmware issues that aren’t always easy to resolve” Tim explains. “Upgrading isn’t always plug-and-play – and you may need to involve third-party support to unlock that compatibility.”
These hidden blockers often delay projects and increase cost – especially in large IT estates.
For businesses unable to migrate in time, Aura offers tailored cybersecurity and continuity solutions to reduce risk, including managed endpoint protection, secure backup systems and specialist support to safeguard legacy environments.
But the bigger opportunity, Tim says, is strategic renewal.
“This is an opportunity to bring systems up to date, improving speed, security and compatibility with modern ways of working,” Tim explains. “But making that change stick requires clear planning, strong communication and leadership buy-in at every level.”
The Windows 10 deadline is a chance for organisations to review where they stand and where they’re headed. Now is the time to take stock, assess your risks and plan for what’s next. Whether you’re ready to upgrade or still working through the options, Aura can offer guidance to help you make informed, confident decisions.