As Heraclitus said around 2500 years ago, “The only constant in life is change”. The same is certainly true in our industry.
Support for Windows 10 will officially end on 14 October 2025. After that date, the operating system will no longer receive security updates, patches, or technical assistance — which means devices still running it will become increasingly vulnerable and potentially non-compliant.
For many businesses in New Zealand, Windows 10 has been a reliable OS (operating system) for nearly a decade. But with its end-of-life now only a week or so away, it’s time to transition to Windows 11 to avoid disruption and risk.
You may have seen or heard about this change over the last year. If you’re running Windows 10 and have yet to schedule or implement an upgrade or alternative strategy, the time to do so has now well and truly arrived.
Why the End of Support Matters
When Microsoft ends support for an operating system, it doesn’t mean your computers will suddenly stop working, but it does mean they’ll stop being safe. Without ongoing updates, Windows 10 systems will no longer receive fixes for new security vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals are well aware of this and often target unsupported systems precisely because they’re easier to exploit.
In addition to security concerns, unsupported systems can quickly fall out of compliance with data protection standards and insurance requirements. Many NZ businesses, particularly those handling customer or financial data, may find themselves in breach of obligations if they continue using outdated software.
Assessing Your Current Situation
The first step is to take stock of where you are now:
- Inventory your devices – Identify which computers in your organisation, if any, are still running Windows 10.
- Check hardware compatibility – Not all existing devices can upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft has minimum hardware requirements, which may rule out older machines.
These include but are not limited to;
Minimum memory and storage capacities, display resolutions, graphics capabilities and drivers, UEFI capabilities and most importantly TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0. - Evaluate critical applications – Some legacy or proprietary business software may not yet be fully compatible with Windows 11, which could affect the timing or approach to your migration.
Planning Your Upgrade Path
Once you understand your current state, you can plan the right upgrade approach. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few common strategies:
- Upgrade in place – For compatible hardware, upgrading directly to Windows 11 can be straightforward and cost-effective.
- Refresh hardware – If your devices are more than four or five years old, it may be more practical to replace them with modern hardware preloaded with Windows 11.
The Hidden Costs of Waiting
Delaying your Windows 11 upgrade might feel like a way to save time or money, but it often has the opposite effect. Unsupported systems tend to become slower, less stable, and more vulnerable to malware or data loss. Even a single ransomware event or extended downtime can quickly outweigh the cost of a planned migration.Beyond security, there’s also a productivity impact. Newer systems run more efficiently and integrate better with cloud services such as Microsoft 365, Teams, and OneDrive. Upgrading sooner rather than later can boost day-to-day performance while protecting your business from unnecessary risk.
Extended Security Updates (ESU): A Temporary Option
Microsoft has announced an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10, allowing businesses to continue receiving critical patches for up to three additional years — but at a cost. The ESU programme is designed as a temporary solution for organisations that need more time, not a long-term one.
The ESU option can make sense for organisations with bespoke or regulated software that can’t yet be certified for Windows 11, or where hardware assessments and/or upgrades are budgeted for a later date. However, because ESUs are priced per device and rise each year, they’re best viewed as a temporary safety net — not a strategy. Planning your migration now ensures you can phase upgrades on your own terms rather than rushing under pressure later.
A Practical Next Step
If your business isn’t sure where it stands, we’re here to help. We’ve assisted many New Zealand organisations in assessing their systems, planning and implementing upgrades, and managing transitions with minimal downtime. A short audit today can save a lot of stress (and risk) down the track.