Windows 10 End-of-Life: Security Risks, Compliance Challenges & Your Upgrade Path

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10. After this date, devices running Windows 10 will no longer receive free security patches, software updates, or technical assistance.¹ While your PCs won’t suddenly stop working, using them without support poses significant security and compliance risks.

Now, businesses and IT teams are facing a critical decision. Microsoft will no longer provide updates, bug fixes, or support, and the risks of waiting will only grow. If your organization still relies on Windows 10, now’s the time to act. Delays leave your systems increasingly exposed and out of compliance.

Want the full breakdown? Download our Windows 10 End-of-Life Guide for detailed steps to prepare your business for the transition.

What End of Support Means for Security

When an operating system (OS) reaches end-of-life, it no longer receives critical security patches. For Windows 10, that means any new vulnerabilities discovered after October 2025 will remain unpatched, leaving systems exposed to viruses, malware, and ransomware. As Microsoft warns, unsupported PCs are at a greater risk of viruses and malware. What’s more, attackers actively exploit outdated platforms, as we saw with Windows 7, where unpatched systems quickly became easy targets. Running Windows 10 beyond 2025 is effectively running on borrowed time.

The risks extend beyond security. Unsupported systems will face growing compatibility issues as new applications and hardware are built for Windows 11 and later. Even Microsoft 365 Apps will lose official support, leading to reliability concerns. In short, holding onto Windows 10 is a long-term security, productivity, and stability gamble.

Compliance Risks After October 2025

For regulated industries, running an unsupported OS is also a compliance violation. Frameworks like HIPAA, NIST, and CMMC all require systems to remain secure and up to date. After October 14, 2025, Windows 10 no longer meets that standard.

• Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA): The Security Rule requires covered entities to manage risks and apply security patches to protect ePHI. Once support ends, Windows 10 users can no longer meet this requirement. HHS has explicitly stated that using unsupported software may result in HIPAA non-compliance. A breach tied to an unpatched Windows 10 system could trigger steep fines and erode patient trust.²
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) & Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC): Both frameworks demand timely remediation of vulnerabilities. Without vendor patches, Windows 10 flaws cannot be corrected, directly violating NIST SP 800-171 controls. CMMC advisors warn that unsupported systems create glaring audit gaps and prime targets for attackers.³

Upgrade Paths: How to Prepare & Protect Your Business

With Windows 10 support ending, organizations have three main options to stay secure and compliant:

1. Upgrade to Windows 11 on existing hardware.
   This option is preferred and most straightforward if your current PCs meet the Windows 11 minimum requirements. Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for eligible devices, and it can often be done in-place without losing data or applications. This path is Microsoft’s recommended solution to ensure you stay protected. It offers immediate benefits: you keep your current hardware but gain a more secure, modern OS with ongoing support.⁴
2. Replace older PCs with new Windows 11 devices.
   If you have PCs that are too old to upgrade or want to refresh your fleet, purchasing new devices with Windows 11 pre-installed is smart. Any computer that could run Windows 10 but fails Windows 11’s requirements is likely nearing the end of its useful life (often 5–10 years old). Upgrading to new hardware ensures compatibility and lets you take advantage of performance improvements and modern features. New Windows 11 PCs provide a secure, efficient experience by design, with hardware-based security features and better reliability. Investing in new devices can save you money by avoiding security incidents and downtime that might occur on aging, unsupported machines.⁴ 
3. Leverage Extended Security Updates (ESU) in the interim.
   Microsoft offers a one-year ESU program for organizations that can’t fully migrate by October 2025. This extends critical security updates until October 13, 2026, but comes with limits:
   1. Only critical security patches (no new features or quality updates)
   2. Available for about $61 per PC for one year, with limited free options
   3. Covers up to ten PCs per Microsoft account

ESU is not a long-term solution. Regulators and insurers may still flag it as a risk, and no coverage will be available beyond 2026.⁴

Act Now: Plan Your Windows 10 Exit Strategy

It’s worth emphasizing that Windows 11 is the preferred upgrade path. Windows 11 isn’t just a new coat of paint on Windows 10; it was designed with significant security advancements that make it far more robust against modern threats. In fact, Microsoft reports that new Windows 11 PCs are experiencing a 62% drop in security incidents and three times fewer firmware attacks compared to Windows 10 PCs.⁵

With Windows 10’s end of support approaching, businesses must make this a top priority. Every day past October 14, 2025, that you continue running Windows 10 increases your exposure to security risks and potential compliance violations. The first step is a clear inventory of your environment:

• Which PCs are eligible for a direct upgrade to Windows 11?
• Which devices require hardware replacement?
• Do any critical legacy systems need temporary ESU coverage? If so, what’s the retirement timeline?

Need guidance? Custom IT Solutions (CIT) can help. Our team will assess your systems, map out the best upgrade path for each, and implement a migration plan that safeguards your data and ensures business continuity. We’ve successfully guided clients through multiple OS end-of-life transitions, delivering smooth, cost-effective upgrades. Contact CIT today to keep your business secure, compliant, and ready for the post-Windows 10 era.

References:

1. 1.

   https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-support-ends-on-october-14-2025-2ca8b313-1946-43d3-b55c-2b95b107f281

2. 2.

   https://hitconsultant.net/2025/08/05/windows-10-end-of-life-what-it-means-for-hipaa-compliance/

3. 3.

   https://www.summit7.us/blog/windows-10-end-of-life-support

4. 4.

   https://www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news/article/end-of-windows-10-final-countdown.aspx

5. 5.

   https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2024/10/31/how-to-prepare-for-windows-10-end-of-support-by-moving-to-windows-11-today/