Windows 10 End of Support: What It Means for Your Business (and How DaaS + Section 179 Helps)

Microsoft has officially announced that Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. After that date, Microsoft will stop providing security updates, bug fixes, and technical support for Windows 10 devices. While your PCs won’t immediately stop working, continuing to use Windows 10 after that point exposes your organization to growing security, compliance, and compatibility risks.

The Risks of Staying on Windows 10

• Security vulnerabilities: No more patches means a growing risk of malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats.
• Software & compatibility issues: New applications (and updates to existing ones) will increasingly require Windows 11 or newer.
• No Microsoft support: Problems will require costly workarounds or outside help.
• Regulatory / compliance exposure: Depending on your industry, not keeping systems up to date might create audit risk, or fail to meet certain regulatory or security baseline requirements.

What Should You Do Before Upgrading to Windows 11?

• Check hardware readiness: Microsoft has minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11. Devices that don’t meet these may not be eligible for a free upgrade.
  • Processor: 64-bit, 1 GHz or faster, 2+ cores (Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm).
  • RAM: 4 GB or more.
  • Storage: At least 64 GB.
  • Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot.
  • TPM: Version 2.0.
  • Graphics: DirectX 12 with WDDM 2.x driver.
  • Display: 9” or larger, 720p or higher.
  • Internet: Required for updates and certain features.
• Assess existing devices: Which machines are ready, which ones aren’t, what lifecycle they have left, etc.
• Backup data: Ensure any existing data is backed up; make sure users are ready for any changes.
• Test roll-outs: Pilot the new OS on a subset of users to uncover any application compatibility or support issues.

Upgrade Options

Microsoft’s Windows 11 requirements (processor type, TPM 2.0, UEFI, RAM, etc.) can make it difficult to know which of your current devices are eligible to upgrade. For many organizations, it’s not as straightforward as just downloading an update. If sorting through all of this information sounds overwhelming – that’s where we come in. We’ll help you assess what you have and map out the right plan forward.

Depending on your situation, there are several ways to make the move easier:

1. Section 179 Tax Deduction (if you had a profitable year): If you’re refreshing hardware before year-end, Section 179 lets you deduct the full purchase price of qualifying technology (capital expenditures only, not leases or rentals). This can be a smart way to modernize while reducing taxable income. Check with your CPA to see what’s best for your organization.
2. Device as a Service (DaaS) (if you want to spread costs):
   If you’re replacing a full fleet but want to pay as you go, DaaS lets you roll out modern, secure devices with predictable monthly costs instead of a large upfront spend.
3. Extended Coverage (if you must stay on Windows 10):
   If you didn’t have a profitable year (and can’t leverage Section 179), or you have technical/business reasons to remain on Windows 10, we can help you explore options for keeping those systems patched and secure as long as possible.

Next Steps

All of this can feel complicated – and that’s why it’s important to have a plan. Don’t wait. By planning your Windows 11 upgrade now, you can strengthen security, avoid last-minute supply delays, and potentially take advantage of year-end tax savings. Contact us today!