Are you still running Windows 10 because “it’s fine for now”?
Editorial correction (October 2026): ESU timing differs for consumers and organizations. See Microsoft’s Windows 10 ESU guidance for current program details.
I hear that a lot.
And to be fair, if you signed up for Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, Windows 10 probably does still feel fine. It turns on. It works. It gets security updates. No drama.
But that feeling of safety is temporary.
Windows 10 officially reached the end of standard support back in October 2025. ESU was always meant to be a short-term safety net, not a long-term strategy.
The deadline depends on the ESU program. Consumer ESU ends in October 2026. Eligible commercial and education devices can receive ESU for up to three years after standard support ended, with annual enrollment.
ESU provides critical and important security updates. It does not restore full support or add new features.
What’s interesting is how many people are still putting this decision off.
Data shows that millions of PCs are still running Windows 10. Even in regions where support deadlines are well known.
Now, that data focuses on home users, but in my experience, many businesses are behaving the same way. They’re sticking with Windows 10 because it’s familiar, sometimes without checking whether each device is covered by the appropriate ESU program.
And Microsoft hasn’t exactly made that decision feel urgent.
Consumer enrollment and commercial licensing are different. Businesses should verify eligibility, licensing and enrollment for each device rather than assuming a consumer prompt establishes commercial coverage.
It hasn’t.
ESU only buys you time. Confirm your organization’s actual coverage and renewal dates, then plan the move to a supported platform.
From a business point of view, that’s more than a technical risk. It’s a commercial one.
Cyber insurance, compliance requirements, and supplier expectations increasingly assume supported software.
For a move to Windows 11, assess which PCs can upgrade and which will need replacement.
This is where planning matters. Some older PCs simply won’t support Windows 11. Others will but may need configuration changes or performance checks.
Leaving this until the last minute often leads to rushed purchases, unhappy staff, and unnecessary costs.
If you’re relying on extended support today, it should be part of a clear exit plan, not a holding pattern.
When a device’s ESU coverage expires, it no longer receives those extended security updates.
If you’re unsure whether your current PCs can upgrade or whether you’re heading for a last-minute hardware scramble, now’s a good time to review your options and plan the next step properly.
My team and I can help with that. Get in touch.