Windows 10 stopped receiving free security updates, technical support, and security fixes on October 14, 2025. If your business bought the one-year consumer extension to bridge the gap, that protection runs out this October.
For companies still running Windows 10, that means the clock on your patched, supported operating system is nearly up. This hits a lot of our clients in Oshkosh, Neenah, Appleton, and Green Bay who put off the upgrade during a busy year.
What End of Support Actually Means
The PC still turns on. Your software still works. The difference is quieter and more dangerous: Microsoft no longer issues security fixes for new vulnerabilities, so a Windows 10 machine becomes an easier target.
Here is what changes once support runs out:
- No more security patches: New threats and exploit fixes stop arriving. Over time, an unpatched operating system collects known, fixable vulnerabilities.
- No more technical assistance: When something breaks, you are on your own. Microsoft troubleshooting and guided support no longer apply.
- Compatibility drift: Newer software, browsers, and peripherals start dropping support for older systems, and you can get stuck on a version of a tool your vendors no longer test.
- Compliance risk: Many audits and insurance requirements expect business devices to run a supported operating system. An unsupported OS can come up in a renewal or a security review.
What Fox Cities Businesses Should Do Next
The safest move is to plan the upgrade now instead of reacting to a problem later. You have a narrow window before the consumer extension lags, and fall is a reasonable time to line up hardware and schedules.
- Audit what you still run: Count every device still on Windows 10, including ones at a warehouse, a front desk, or a home office.
- Check hardware compatibility: Some older machines will not meet Windows 11 requirements. Those need replacement, not a patched upgrade.
- Budget for it: Include replacement devices, licensing, and any software that will not run on the new operating system.
- Spread the work out: Stagger migrations by location or department so you limit downtime instead of doing a big cutover.
Need Help Before the Deadline?
If you still have Windows 10 machines and are not sure where to start, Computer Corner can audit your fleet, identify what needs replacing, and handle the migration so your team keeps working. We manage upgrades for businesses across Neenah, Appleton, and the surrounding Fox Cities area.