Windows 10 support has ended — is it safe to keep using it?

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. The computers still turn on and work fine, which is exactly why this risk is so easy to ignore — but the operating system no longer receives security updates, feature updates or technical support, and the danger grows every month a machine stays in use.

Why "it still works" isn't the whole story

When an operating system reaches end of support, Microsoft stops patching newly discovered vulnerabilities. Attackers know this, so unsupported machines quickly become a standing, well-understood target for ransomware and malware. Beyond raw security, there are three very practical problems for a business:

• Cyber insurance — many policies now require supported, patched software. Running Windows 10 can reduce a payout or void a claim entirely at the worst possible moment.
• Compliance — frameworks like the Essential Eight, and a growing number of client contracts, require supported operating systems.
• Software support — over time, business apps, browsers and hardware drivers drop Windows 10 support, causing breakage and incompatibility.

What to do about it

1. Audit your fleet — identify which PCs are on Windows 10 and which are eligible to upgrade.
2. Upgrade eligible PCs to Windows 11 — usually free if the hardware qualifies (it needs TPM 2.0 and a supported CPU).
3. Replace machines that can't be upgraded — plan the spend rather than being forced into it after an incident.
4. Use Extended Security Updates (ESU) only as a short, paid bridge for the few devices that genuinely can't move yet.

We can audit your fleet and plan a staged, low-disruption migration so you are never caught running unsupported machines. Read our full guide, Still Running Windows 10 in 2026?, or call (08) 9325 1196 to get an assessment underway.