As the Windows 10 end of life date creeps closer, many small and mid-sized businesses are either unaware of the implications or quietly hoping it won’t affect them. On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will cease providing security updates, bug fixes, and technical support for Windows 10 for most users. While everything might look fine with your computer, continuing to use an unsupported operating system introduces significant risks and potentially costly problems, especially for SMEs and not-for-profits in Australia.

In this article, we'll unpack what the Windows 10 end of life actually means, what most people get wrong about it, and the real-world consequences if you decide to keep using it.

What Does "End of Life" Really Mean for Windows 10?

It's More Than Just a Calendar Date

When Microsoft declares the Windows 10 end of life, it doesn’t mean your computer will stop working on October 15th. However, it does mean that it will no longer receive critical security patches, compliance updates, or assistance from Microsoft when issues arise.

For small businesses and not-for-profits, this is significant. You're not just losing updates, you're losing the assurance that comes with a maintained and supported operating system.

Key impacts of Windows 10 end of life:

• No new security patches after October 14, 2025

• Software vendors may stop supporting Windows 10

• High cyber risk exposure

• Insurance and compliance implications

Real-world example: Many cyber insurance policies have exclusions on losses caused by outdated or unpatched software. We have worked with several small businesses who are still using Windows 10 PC’s which means that if they do not take action to upgrade their old PC’s, then insurance claims made after  October 14, 2025 may be rejected even if other computers and software are all up to date.

What Happens If I Keep Using Windows 10 After 2025?

Continuing to run Windows 10 after its end of life creates vulnerabilities that are initially invisible but costly over time.

• Security vulnerabilities increase daily. Hackers actively target systems without protection.

• Third-party tools may stop working. Key apps for accounting, case management, or communication could become unstable or unsupported.

• Regulatory exposure increases. Especially for those handling NDIS, health, or financial data.

• IT support costs rise. Some providers charge extra to support end-of-life systems.

If you’re wondering, "What happens if I keep using Windows 10 after 2025?", the answer depends on your setup, but it almost always involves increased risk and avoidable cost.

The Hidden Costs No One Talks About

You might think holding off on the upgrade saves money. In many cases, it does the opposite.

• Staff downtime from compatibility issues or crashes

• Lost productivity from systems running slowly or unpredictably

• Higher costs later from rushed upgrades or emergency fixes

• Compliance penalties from unpatched systems

• Risk of insurance claims being rejected due to exclusions on outdated software

These aren't hypothetical. We've seen businesses spend thousands fixing preventable problems after delaying upgrades.

The Catch With Older Devices and Software that Currently Run Windows 10

Not Every PC Can Upgrade to Windows 10

Many older devices running Windows 10 don’t meet Windows 11's hardware requirements. That means you can’t upgrade to Windows 11, and you might need to:

• Replace all existing PCs that currently run Windows 10

• Find a workaround (not recommended)

• Devise a custom IT plan to upgrade parts of your existing PC’s (potentially much more costly than replacing existing Windows 10 PC’s)

Table: Windows 10 vs. Windows 11 Compatibility Requirements

Is Windows 10 Safe After End of Life?

Not reliably.

After support ends, no matter how careful your users are, any new vulnerability remains unpatched. Antivirus tools might catch some threats, but they rely on an up-to-date OS to be fully effective.

So, is Windows 10 safe after end of life? Not in a business or regulated environment. Keeping it running becomes a growing risk over time, not a stable or long-term solution.

Can You Still Get Security Updates After 2025?

Some users may be considering whether Microsoft offers ways to extend security coverage for Windows 10 beyond October 2025. There are a couple of options, but both come with significant limitations.

1. Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program

Microsoft offers a paid program that provides critical security updates for a limited time after the official end of support. This is available to both individuals and organisations:

• Personal users can purchase up to one year of updates, but only for basic security fixes and only for ONE year.

• Businesses and not-for-profits may purchase up to three years of ESU coverage. However, the cost increases each year and can quickly outweigh the cost of upgrading, especially across multiple devices.

Caveat: The ESU program only covers security patches, not new features, compatibility updates, or support. It’s a short-term workaround, not a long-term solution.

2. Free Security Updates via Windows Backup Enrolment (not applicable for business users)

Microsoft has also introduced a free option for individual users to receive updates until October 2026; but there's a catch:

• You must enable Windows Backup and sync your device with OneDrive.

• Updates are limited to basic security fixes only.

• If your synced data exceeds 5GB, you may be required to PAY FOR additional OneDrive storage.

Caveat: This path is designed for personal use only, not for business, not-for-profit organisations or regulated environments. Enabling automatic syncing to cloud services like OneDrive may introduce compliance issues or data risks for some users.

These options may help some individual users in the short term. Still, they don't eliminate the need for a proper upgrade plan, especially if your organisation handles sensitive or regulated data.

Act Now: Why Waiting Until the Last Minute Could Cost More Than You Think

The Windows 10 end of life deadline is no longer a distant concern: it's now a week-by-week countdown. With October 14, 2025, fast approaching, each week narrows your window to plan properly, test thoroughly, and avoid unnecessary costs or disruption.

For many small and mid-sized businesses and not-for-profits in Australia, don't know where to start but the later the leave it, the harder it will get; IT support providers will get very busy as the deadline approaches, and stocks of some business PC's and equipment will become limited as the deadline approaches and more and more users look to upgrade. That's a double whammy, and in the rush, costly mistakes may happen to some organisations who left it too late.

Waiting until the last minute could mean:

• Limited hardware availability

• Project delays due to busy IT schedules

• Increased stress and unplanned costs

• Business disruption at the worst possible time

Transitioning to Windows 11 isn't always simple: It’s not just about buying a new PC and installing Windows 11 either. For example:

• Many existing devices that work fine with Windows 10, won't work with Windows 11

• Software applications that work with Windows 10 will need testing or updating for Windows 11

·       You'll likely need to update and recheck your backup tools as well.

Consider this example: A not-for-profit organisation that has a pay-by-the-month IT support contract delays its decision to upgrade until September, assuming it has sufficient time. However, they do not realise that their CRM software needs to be upgraded to support Windows 11, and over half of their machines are unable to handle Windows 11. By waiting until the September Quarter, they push the upgrade cost and additional spending out to the September quarter, but pay more for PCs due to limited stock availability and use up much more than their monthly support hours to have all of their new PCs ready by October 15th. They could have acted earlier and spread the cost out over time, using monthly support hours, and negotiating better prices for PC's when there was a lot of stock available.  

You don’t need to upgrade everything all at once. But you do need to understand your position. Even a brief independent review can help you identify the pressure points and move forward with confidence.

Not All Upgrade Plans Are Equal

Some upgrades can be done gradually. Others need urgent action. The best strategy depends on:

• How many Windows 10 devices you still use

• Whether they're compatible with Windows 11

• What software and cloud tools you rely on

• Your backup and recovery plan

The worst option is doing nothing. The best one? Start with a clear, impartial review.

 Download: Get the Win-10 EoL Readiness Guide

Want a checklist to help you figure out where you stand? Download our Windows 10 End of Life Readiness Guide. It’s free, written in plain English, and built for small teams.

Take Control Before the Deadline

Whether you're a business owner, office manager, or part of a not-for-profit team, your responsibility doesn’t stop at keeping things running. It includes keeping systems safe, compliant, and future-ready.

You don’t need to figure it out alone. That’s why we offer a short, no-pressure consultation call.

Book a Quick Upgrade-Plan Call

Let’s take 15 minutes to review your setup and discuss your options.