Future-Proofing
The Deadline's Coming: Will Your Business Be Caught in the Windows 10 Crossfire?
24hourtek
Team
Nov 1, 2024
Windows 10 is set to lose support in October 2025, leaving many enterprises unprepared for the transition to Windows 11.
End of Support is Coming
As the end of support for Windows 10 approaches on October 14, 2025, many enterprises are still lagging in their transition to Windows 11. Despite the ticking clock, recent data from Lansweeper reveals that Windows 11 adoption has increased significantly, yet it still holds less than a quarter of the Windows market. Since September 2023, Windows 11’s share has grown from 8% to 23%, while Windows 10’s share has decreased from 81% to 68%. This slow transition poses a challenge as the deadline looms closer.
Enterprise Options
Enterprises have limited options to continue receiving critical security updates after Windows 10 support ends. One option is the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), which only 3.5% of enterprises currently use. Another option is purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU), which can be costly, starting at $61 per device in the first year and increasing to $244 by the third year. Michael Cherry, a Windows analyst at Directions on Microsoft, suggests that some organizations might be hoping for an extension of the support deadline, given the competing budget priorities for legacy IT upgrades and other Microsoft products like Copilot and Azure.
Upgrading to Windows 11
While Windows 11 offers enhanced security features, such as the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, the hardware requirements can necessitate purchasing new PCs, which adds to the cost. Cherry notes that relying on unsupported workarounds to bypass these requirements is risky and could lead to unforeseen issues. The primary costs for enterprises will be related to new hardware and the man-hours required for the transition. Despite the high costs, many companies may ultimately opt for ESUs to buy more time, hoping that upgrading to AI-powered PCs becomes a priority in the near future.
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