Preparing for Windows 10 End of Support: What UK Organisations Need to Know
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 will reach the end of support on 14 October 2025.
After this date:
No further security patches, bug fixes, or feature updates will be released.
Microsoft will no longer provide technical support for Windows 10 systems.
Devices running Windows 10 will still operate but will become increasingly vulnerable as new cyber threats emerge without patches.
For many organisations still operating on Windows 10, this means that while operations may carry on, the risks around security, compliance, and long-term reliability will rise sharply.
The Extended Security Updates (ESU) Option:
For organisations that are not yet ready to fully migrate away from Windows 10, Microsoft has created the Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme. This allows critical security patches to continue for a limited time beyond the end-of-life deadline, typically renewed on an annual basis.
However, ESU is not a permanent solution: costs rise each year, creating financial pressure to migrate, and the updates themselves are limited to essential security fixes only - no new features or performance improvements will be delivered.
As such, the ESU should be viewed as a temporary measure while organisations finalise their migration strategies.
Risks of Staying on Windows 10 Beyond 2025
Remaining on Windows 10 past its official support date introduces significant risks that go beyond basic inconvenience:
Cyber Security Vulnerabilities: Unsupported systems will rapidly accumulate unpatched weaknesses, making them prime targets for ransomware, malware, and other attacks.
Compliance & Regulatory Exposure: Many industries, including financial services, healthcare, and government, require systems to be supported and patched. Running outdated software may breach these obligations and leave your organisation liable should a breach take place.
Operational & Compatibility Issues: Over time, newer applications and hardware may no longer function properly on Windows 10, creating disruption and higher maintenance costs.
Financial Implications: The longer outdated systems are maintained, the more costly it becomes to secure them through stop-gap measures, extended support fees, or emergency incident response.
Preparing Now: Best Practices for Organisations
Organisations should begin preparing ahead of the October 14th deadline by taking proactive, structured steps:
Audit Your Estate: Identify every device still running Windows 10, including remote workers and operational environments such as kiosks or embedded systems.
Assess Upgrade Options: Determine which machines can transition to Windows 11 and which require hardware replacement.
Develop a Migration Plan: Prioritise critical systems and set timelines for upgrades, ensuring business continuity during the transition.
Strengthen Security Controls: For any devices that must remain on Windows 10 temporarily, apply layered protection such as endpoint detection, strict access controls, and network segmentation.
Review Third-Party Dependencies: Confirm that all key applications and services used in your organisation are compatible with newer operating systems.
Prepare For Compliance: Document your migration strategy and ensure you have plans in place to meet regulatory requirements around data protection and software patching.
What to Expect After the October 14th Deadline
Organisations that miss the transition deadline will likely experience:
A sharp rise in attempted cyber attacks targeting unsupported Windows 10 systems.
Limited support from software vendors, who increasingly design for Windows 11 and beyond.
Possible insurance or contractual complications, as running unsupported operating systems can void coverage or raise premiums.
Rising operational friction, as compatibility gaps increase and staff productivity suffers.
The end of support for Windows 10 is more than a routine IT update; and will have far-reaching implications for security, compliance, and business continuity - it is therefore important to treat the Windows 10 EOL as a strategic priority. Without a coordinated plan, organisations risk exposing themselves to escalating cyber threats, regulatory breaches, and costly disruptions.
While best practice measures such as endpoint detection, privileged access management, and secure backups remain important, these must be part of an integrated, organisation-wide approach. Cyber security in this context is not just an IT issue – it’s an executive-level concern that must be embedded into the operational strategy of the entire organisation. Those who act early will be in a far stronger position, reducing risk and building resilience that extends well beyond the 2025 deadline.
How PureCyber Can Support Your OS Transition & Help You Remain Secure:
PureCyber supports organisations across the UK and beyond in navigating technology transitions such as the Windows 10 end-of-life deadline. We’ll help your businesses audit their systems, assess upgrade paths, and create roadmaps for moving away from outdated platforms. While the transition is underway, our 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) can provide continuous monitoring to detect and respond to suspicious activity, offering reassurance even for legacy devices that cannot immediately be retired.
We also offer risk and compliance support to ensure organisations continue to meet regulatory requirements, along with robust endpoint and identity protection, including privileged access controls and phishing-resistant authentication for sensitive accounts. For organisations concerned about the potential for disruption, our incident response services provide tested playbooks to mitigate damage quickly and efficiently in the event of an attack.
By embedding these measures into every stage of the migration journey, PureCyber will ensure that businesses not only meet the upcoming deadline but also strengthen their cyber resilience for the long term.
How Can PureCyber Help?
The PureCyber team are here to take over the burden of your cyber security and ensure your organisation’s data remains secure and well managed, with proactive monitoring and real-time threat intelligence - providing you with a comprehensive and reliable cyber department to support you in all aspects of your security efforts, including: 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) services, Managed Detection & Response (MDR/EDR),Threat Exposure Management (TEM) & Brand Protection Services & Penetration Testing.
PureCyber is recognised as an Assured Service Provider by the NCSC to offer governance and compliance consultancy services/audits. Contact our team of compliance experts to enquire about our full range of Governance Support - including Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, FISMA, SOC1 and SOC2 standards.
Get in touch or book a demo for more information on our services and how we can safeguard your organisation with our expert cyber security solutions.
Email: info@purecyber.com Call: 0800 368 9397