Windows 10 is Officially Dead: Why Your "Old PC" is Now a Security Risk

As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10. If you are reading this on a computer running Windows 10 today, you are operating without a safety net.

For many UK businesses, the "End of Life" deadline felt like a distant problem. But now that we are in 2026, the reality has hit home. There have been no security patches, no bug fixes, and no technical support for Windows 10 for three months.

Here is why that matters for your business—and what you need to do immediately.

The "Open Door" Problem

When Microsoft stops supporting an operating system, they stop patching the holes that hackers find.

In late 2025, cybercriminals began stockpiling "Zero-Day" vulnerabilities specifically targeting Windows 10, knowing that Microsoft would no longer step in to fix them. If your staff are browsing the web, opening emails, or accessing your server from an unpatched Windows 10 machine, they are essentially leaving the front door of your office unlocked.

It is not a matter of if a vulnerability will be exploited, but when.

Compliance Nightmares

Beyond the technical risk, there is the legal one.

• GDPR: using unsupported software can be classed as a failure to implement "appropriate technical and organisational measures" to protect personal data.

• Cyber Essentials: You will automatically fail your next assessment if you are running unsupported software.

• Insurance: Most cyber insurance policies have a clause requiring you to patch software within 14 or 30 days. Since Windows 10 cannot be patched, your policy may be void in the event of a breach.

Your Three Options in 2026

If you still have Windows 10 machines in your fleet, you have three choices left.

1. The Upgrade (Best Case) If your computers were bought in the last 3-4 years, they likely support Windows 11. We can remotely upgrade your fleet with minimal disruption. Windows 11 is faster, more secure, and integrates deeply with the new AI tools in Microsoft 365.

2. The Replacement (Most Likely) Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements (specifically the TPM 2.0 security chip). If your PCs are older than 2019, they likely cannot run Windows 11. These machines need to be retired and replaced.

3. The Life Support (ESU) If you absolutely cannot upgrade yet (perhaps due to legacy software), Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU). This is a paid subscription that buys you security patches for one year.

• The Catch: It costs roughly £50 per device for Year 1, and the price doubles every year. It is expensive, but it buys you time.

How Pilot IQ Can Help

Don't panic, but do act. We can run a rapid Hardware Audit of your network to identify exactly which machines are running Windows 10 and whether they can be upgraded or need replacing.

We can then deploy the upgrades or set up the ESU "Life Support" license to keep you compliant while you plan your hardware refresh.

Need to check your exposure? Book a 15-minute strategy call with us today.