While the October 2025 deadline for Microsoft Windows 10 end-of-support may seem a lifetime away, one trick of successful technology planning is taking a long-term approach. That means exploring your options, understanding interoperability, calculating costs, and then making a plan that fits into your organization's operational calendar and budget. Working with a trusted managed services provider can bolster those efforts by layering in best practices, deep expertise, and proven planning processes.
Those steps become even more critical when evaluating operating system software such as Windows 10, which provides the backbone for most organizations' business software. Windows 10 debuted in 2015, delivering Cortana, Microsoft's first integrated virtual assistant, and Edge, a new Microsoft browser that replaced Explorer. Win10 also offered enhanced security, including built-in antivirus and anti-malware to provide baseline protection. But now, after nearly a decade, the shine has worn off Win10.
Five Benefits of Upgrading Windows 10
In 2025, Microsoft is forcing the retirement of Win10 with the end of support. This action leaves the operating system vulnerable to cyber attacks as patching and other security updates end. However, there are several other compelling reasons to plan for a Win10 replacement. An upgrade from Windows 10 means access to modern features missing in Windows 10, but it also means a marked improvement in performance, compatibility, usability, and more.
Reason 1: Security Risks With Windows 10 End of Support
Let's dive deeper into what "end of support" means when it comes to technology—software or hardware. Sure, the technology continues to work, but lack of support means the vendor, be it Microsoft or any other, will no longer monitor for system- or product-specific threats, or offer security patches, software updates, etc., when and if a threat occurs. The vendor also suspends releases of other updates, such as new drivers for hardware that improve software interoperability.
The most crucial consideration revolves around security patching and remediation of vulnerabilities within software or hardware that can open the door for cyber attacks. In fact, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), ranks unsupported or end-of-life components as the #1 cybersecurity risk to infrastructure. By remaining on a product that is out of support, you can violate compliance and other standards, increasing your organization's liability in the case of a breach or data leak. Most insurance providers and regulatory agencies consider the use of obsolete technology to be a blatant disregard for cybersecurity.
Learn how cybersecurity and compliance are connected in our ebook
Reason 2: Windows 10 Performance Issues Create Hidden Costs
Listen, you wouldn't ask your team to write their reports on a typewriter, so why would you ask them to use software running on an outdated operating system? No matter how well your MSP maintains your environment, legacy operating systems can significantly impact productivity due to performance issues paired with unplanned downtime.
When you consider an investment into a new operating system, weigh it against the unmeasured lost productivity, frustration, and waste of talent that accompanies a product that has reached its end of life. Microsoft has already warned of performance issues, such as:
- Overall reduction in system stability
- Visual glitches causing random stuttering
- Applications becoming unresponsive due to glitches
Reason 3: Windows 10 Compatibility Problems
If you have ever tried to connect an old printer with a new laptop in your home office, you know exactly what we're talking about here. New software and hardware don't play well together with outdated technology. In the case of Win10, we're talking about an operating system that supports many aspects of your business environment. Suddenly those glitches, slowdowns, and unresponsive performance issues extend to your brand-new technology investments because of compatibility issues.
As with performance concerns, you cannot overlook the user experience when these challenges slow productivity and create angst with your team, all of whom simply want to do their jobs with tech tools that work.
Reason 4: Lack of Features Impact Users
Since we're already talking about users, let's remember that most people have far more innovative technology in their personal lives. New laptops, Wi-Fi fridges, cool phone apps – you name it. That means business tech is already under scrutiny when it comes to having the same capabilities that your employees enjoy at home. When you look at the feature comparison between Windows 11 versus Win10, there are several big wins.
Upgrading to Windows 11 gives you the latest in technology, plus popular user capabilities and features such as:
- New options make it easier to multitask and organize open windows
- Capacity to personalize multiple virtual desktops, useful if you use one desktop for work and another for personal projects
- Updated widgets
- Faster operation with optimized system apps running in the background and improved battery life
- Updated user interface new desktop themes and a dark mode to reduce eye strain
Reason 5: Competitive Advantage with Customers and Talent
No business ever dominated the marketplace using obsolete … well, obsolete anything, but especially the operating system that provides the framework for all your other applications and services. Your team can't be expected to perform alongside sales, marketing, service, or production teams leveraging innovative technology that enables remote work, AI, seamless cloud backups, and accessibility when they are using software more than a decade old. There is a reason Microsoft sunsets applications and systems; they simply no longer meet the expectations of users.
Planning for Your Windows 10 Migration
An operating system migration is fraught with hidden hurdles and opportunities for chaos, so working closely with a Microsoft-certified managed services partner such as Exigent can mean the difference between a smooth, efficient cutover and downtime that could cost your business money and customers. When you work with Exigent to create a game plan for moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11, you can be confident the migration will be managed by professionals with a direct line to Microsoft.
