Soft Computers
Why This Matters Right Now
Windows 10 reached end of life on October 14, 2025. Microsoft stopped releasing security patches. If your business is still running it, your computers are getting more vulnerable every single day.
This is not just a tech formality. Unsupported operating systems are one of the most common entry points attackers use. And small businesses are not immune. Small and mid-sized companies are frequent targets, not an afterthought, and the cost of a serious breach can climb high enough to threaten the business itself. For a small business, even a fraction of that can be devastating.
Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11
This is the most obvious path, but it comes with a catch. Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10. It needs a TPM 2.0 chip and a compatible processor. Computers older than about five years may not qualify.
Before doing anything, check which machines can actually run Windows 11. Microsoft has a free tool called PC Health Check that gives you a straight yes or no. If your hardware qualifies, the upgrade is free and takes about an hour per machine.
If most of your fleet can upgrade, this is your fastest and cheapest path forward.
Option 2: Extended Security Updates
Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU) for businesses that need more time. It keeps Windows 10 machines patched against known security vulnerabilities, but adds no new features and does not fix compatibility issues.
The cost climbs each year. Year 1 cost about $61 per device. Year 2 is $122. Year 3 is $244. Here is the important part: ESU for Windows 10 ends in October 2026. If you are on it right now, you are running out of runway faster than you think.
ESU is a bridge, not a solution.
Option 3: Replace Older Hardware
If your machines cannot run Windows 11, this is probably the right call anyway. Devices old enough to fail the hardware check are likely overdue for replacement on performance grounds alone. Running a seven-year-old computer for business work costs more in lost productivity than most people realize.
A managed IT provider can help you plan a phased hardware refresh so you are not replacing everything at once and blowing the budget in a single quarter.
Option 4: Windows 365 Cloud PC
This option is less well known. Microsoft's Windows 365 lets you stream a fully patched Windows 11 desktop to any device, including an older Windows 10 machine. The old PC becomes a thin client, and the actual computing happens in Microsoft's cloud.
Pricing starts around $31 per user per month. It is not cheap, but for businesses with aging hardware that cannot run Windows 11, it is a clean alternative to a full hardware purchase. It also simplifies device management significantly if you have remote employees.
What Happens If You Do Nothing
Nothing good. With no security patches coming, every week that passes means new vulnerabilities are left unpatched on your machines. Attackers actively scan for outdated systems, and small businesses are a frequent target.
A major cyberattack can be an existential event for a small business. Running an unsupported operating system is one of the easiest risks to fix. There is no good reason to leave it open.
Where to Start
If you are not sure where your business stands, an IT audit will tell you exactly which machines need attention, which can be upgraded in place, and which need replacing. From there you can build a realistic plan with a timeline that fits your budget.
If your team cannot handle this internally, a managed IT provider handles this kind of work regularly and can take the whole project off your plate. The goal is to get every machine on a supported OS before the October 2026 ESU deadline, so nothing falls through the cracks.