Your Windows 10 clock is ticking...
Windows is the operating system used by 73% of the global market, and with Microsoft set to end support for Windows 10 later this year, businesses must act quickly to prepare for the transition. Despite this looming deadline, statcounter data shows that only one-third of users worldwide have made the switch to Windows 11, leaving the majority potentially unprepared. It’s time to make some decisions and act on them, quickly.
By Charlie Herbert, Digital Workplace Practice Lead, Prosource.it
As has been well documented, support ends for Windows 10 this year on 14th October. This means there will be no free support for the platform, including new security updates or bug fixes. There is an option for a paid security updates extension, but the costs for that can quickly escalate across an enterprise.
What to expect if you stay on Windows 10
For those who have not yet upgraded, there are some significant consequences which need to be carefully weighed up. The most important of these is security. In a world where the cyber threat is increasing year on year, working off a system that does not continue to get security updates is not a viable option. The monthly paid for extended security updates (ESU) available for a further three years will give a little extra breathing space, but it is more of a bridge than a long-term solution.
There are other important issues such as compatibility. Developers won’t continue to create new applications for an obsolete operating system. This means that over time the software you rely on will stop being compatible with your system. Lack of updates isn’t just a usability issue, it is also a security risk.
Considerations for moving over to Windows 11
According to statcounter, at the end of December 2024, Windows 10 still had 63% of the market, with Windows 11 at 34%. So why is the move over so slow when the depreciation of Windows 10 was announced four years ago? Businesses must consider a number of factors before they can make the leap.
Hardware compatibility
Perhaps the most expensive, and therefore the biggest, hurdle is potentially having to update hardware to be able to run Windows 11. The system requirements are stricter than for Windows 10; specifically it requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and a supported CPU. This need can easily be clarified on the Microsoft compatibility list or by downloading the PC Health Check App.
At the moment, there are 400 million users on an incompatible PC - approximately 25% of the Windows population as a whole. Bypassing these system requirements, where possible, is not recommended as Microsoft will no longer offer hardware or software support. Most business devices have supported these new requirements for some time, but for business which have not refreshed their technology estate for some time it will need to be addressed now.
Feature changes
Those introducing Windows 11 across their business might need to think about supporting the adoption with users. Although it is not a major upgrade compared to some we have seen in the past, it does look considerably different to Windows 10. There is a redesigned interface, a centred start menu, and new features like snap layouts and widgets. While it has been designed with usability in mind and most people will pick up the changes, for speed and efficiency it might be useful to offer some extra training and support in the early days. Change is never easy and depending on how tech-savvy your employees are, it could be disruptive to move everyone over at once with no extra time or support to become familiar with it.
The main changes that we have seen are small but meaningful tweaks. Overall, it has better performance, with a focus on improved start-up times and ability to hibernate. It is more stable with a better management of memory and the search facility makes it easier to find files.
The biggest benefit is security. It is better than Windows 10 and soon it will support rebootless patching. This will significantly improve user experience and enable faster deployment of security updates.
Application compatibility
Most Windows 10 applications should work on Windows 11, but there are exceptions. This is especially likely if you run any older or niche software. Ensure you check/test critical applications before you upgrade to make they will continue working. Consider using compatibility modes if necessary.
The upgrade to Windows 11 presents an opportunity for many organisations to move away from on-premises Active Directory to Entra ID as part of their wider cloud-adoption strategy. It does not have to be done at point of upgrade, but it is a good time to make the switch.
So, what to do next?
The Windows 11 upgrade is an issue that isn’t going to go away and is only going to become more urgent as we move through the year. For businesses with thousands of machines yet to upgrade, this could be a costly update whether they kick the can down the road with the ESU or invest in upgrading hardware as needed. However, moving significant numbers of people over to a new operating system doesn’t happen overnight and there are costs associated with that too. It’s a question of weighing up what the better solution is.
Another factor is whether Windows 12 just around the corner. This isn’t necessarily a major consideration because there is no release date or feature set yet. It’s also unlikely that an organisation would move a significant number of devices over until at least 6-12 months after its release. While the jump from Windows 10 to Windows 12 isn’t necessarily a better idea (unless there is some other business driver), it would be wise to monitor for any new hardware requirements, compatibility challenges or features that could influence decisions.
Whichever way you choose to go, there are changes coming and businesses will need to find a way to bake these considerations into their 2025 plans.
