Still on Windows 10? What East Tennessee Businesses Should Do Now
The short answer: Windows 10 stopped getting free security updates on October 14, 2025. Businesses still running it should upgrade computers that can run Windows 11, replace the ones that can't, and use Microsoft's paid Extended Security Updates only as a short-term bridge.
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. A year later, plenty of small businesses are still running it on at least a few machines. If that's you, you're not alone, but the clock is running, and the options get more expensive the longer you wait.
Here's what "end of support" really means for a small business, and a simple plan for getting off Windows 10 without blowing up your budget.
What "end of support" actually means
Your Windows 10 computers didn't stop working on October 14, 2025. They still boot, open email and print. What stopped was the free security updates. Every month Microsoft finds and fixes new security holes in Windows. On an unsupported computer, those holes stay open.
Attackers know this. They watch for security fixes on Windows 11 and then check whether the same weakness exists on older systems. An unpatched Windows 10 machine on your network becomes the easiest way in, and one infected computer can spread ransomware to your server, your shared drives and everyone else's PC.
There's also a compliance side. Many cyber insurance applications ask whether you run unsupported operating systems. Answering "yes" can raise your premium or give the insurer a reason to deny a claim.
Option 1: Pay for Extended Security Updates (a short-term bridge)
Microsoft sells Extended Security Updates (ESU) for businesses that need more time. According to Microsoft, the price is:
Year 1: $61 per computer
Year 2: $122 per computer
Year 3: $244 per computer
The price doubles every year, and the program ends for good after three years. Year 1 coverage runs through October 13, 2026, so if you bought it last year, it's time to decide whether to renew.
ESU makes sense for a machine that runs one piece of software that won't work on Windows 11 yet, or when you need a few extra months to budget for replacements. As a long-term plan, it's throwing good money after old hardware.
Option 2: Upgrade the computers you already have
Many computers bought in the last five or six years can run Windows 11 as a free upgrade. Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, mainly a newer processor and a security chip called TPM 2.0, so not every machine qualifies.
Before you upgrade, check three things:
Does the hardware meet Windows 11's requirements? Microsoft's PC Health Check app will tell you, or we can check every machine at once.
Does your business software support Windows 11? Line-of-business programs, like accounting, practice management or industry-specific tools, are the most common problem. Ask the vendor before you upgrade.
Is the computer worth keeping? Upgrading a slow, five-year-old laptop with a failing battery just delays the replacement.
Option 3: Replace the oldest machines
For computers that can't run Windows 11, replacement is the real fix. A new business-class computer comes with Windows 11 and a warranty, and it will usually be noticeably faster.
If replacing everything at once is too much, spread it out. Replace the oldest or most critical machines first, put ESU on the rest as a bridge, and finish within the year.
A simple plan for the next 90 days
Take inventory. List every computer, which version of Windows it runs, and how old it is.
Sort them into three piles: upgrade, replace, or bridge with ESU.
Check your software with each vendor before upgrading anything.
Back up first. Every upgrade or replacement should start with a verified backup.
Budget the replacements over the next two or three quarters instead of waiting for a machine to die.
Retire old machines safely. Wipe or destroy the drives. An old computer in a closet or a dumpster can still hold client data.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep using Windows 10 at my business?
It will keep working, but without security updates it becomes easier to attack every month. Paid Extended Security Updates can cover a computer for up to three years, at a price that doubles each year.
How do I know if my computer can run Windows 11?
Microsoft's free PC Health Check app will tell you. The main requirements are a supported processor and a TPM 2.0 security chip, which most computers from the last several years have.
Is upgrading to Windows 11 free?
For eligible Windows 10 computers, yes. The cost is usually in the time to test your software, back up, and move files and settings.
How Roo Tech can help
This is exactly the kind of project we handle for small businesses across Knoxville and East Tennessee. We can inventory your computers, tell you which ones can upgrade, install and set up the replacements, move your files and settings, and securely wipe the old drives.
If you'd rather hand it off entirely, our managed IT plans include patch management and hardware lifecycle planning, so you're never caught by an end-of-support date again. For a one-time project, see our custom IT solutions.
Still running Windows 10? Book a free consultation or call 865-332-0008, and we'll help you figure out the most cost-effective way forward.
About the author: Shannon Jones is the founder of Roo Tech Services, a veteran-owned IT company in Knoxville, Tennessee. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2000 to 2004, including in Iraq in 2003, and is Fortinet NSE 3 certified.
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