When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
Windows10 support ends in October, marking the end ofsecuritypatches, bug fixes and feature updates.
Senior Director for Client Solutions Group at Dell Technologies, UK.
Image Credit: Microsoft
These hidden costs combined with downtime and reducedproductivity often outweigh the expense of upgrading.
Additionally, businesses using Windows 10 with extended support must consider how this affects their M365/Office applications.
The applications will continue to function after October 14, 2025, but they will no longer be supported.
Every moment lost to sluggish hardware is a missed opportunity for innovation and progress.
Step 3: Focus on AI-optimized infrastructure
AIis driving tangible gains for businesses today.
If youre holding onto legacy systems, however, you wont have the computing power to support AI-drivenapplications.
Ask yourself a few critical questions as you plan your upgrades.
Are you taking advantage of the latest AI PC innovations?
Does your infrastructure have the capacity to meet the demands of AI solutions?
Are your competitors inching ahead by investing in AI, while you put a patch on old systems?
This might be the time to examine your broader IT infrastructure and management capabilities, too.
Step 4: Mitigate security and compliance risks
Operating unsupported systems exposes your business to cyberattacks.
Without security updates, hackers can exploit vulnerabilities.
Malware,ransomwareand data breaches thrive on outdated systems, putting your sensitive information and reputation at risk.
Windows 11 Pro is secure by default.
Running unsupported software may put you and your business at risk of violating these regulations.
That alone should be the rationale for an upgrade before the October deadline.
Upgrading ahead of Windows 10s end of life provides an opportunity to reinforce your IT sustainability commitments.
Thankfully, circular IT is within reach.
Step 6: Create a strategy and act early
Procrastination comes at a price.
Waiting to act until the last moment means rushed decisions, unplanned downtime and unnecessary expenses.
Define clear timelines with key milestones and allocate resources at each stage.
Modern management solutions can simplify your migration by offering better oversight and streamlined deployment.
Taking control of this transition now ensures that your organization can make thoughtful decisions rather than reacting under pressure.
You risk exposing your business to security breaches and performance and compliance issues.
Embrace the Windows 11 transition with a comprehensive IT strategy that meets the demands of the modern workplace.
We’ve featured the best business computer.
The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc.