As you may know, Windows 10 is set to reach its end of support on October 14, 2025.
Microsoft highly encourages users to upgrade or move to Windows 11 for an enhanced and more secure computing experience.
There is a lot of mixed information regarding what the End of Life for Windows 10 entails. To help clarify your doubts and dispel some misconceptions, MTG has created this FAQ.
No, your Windows 10 device will not stop functioning after support ends on October 14, 2025. However, it will no longer receive security updates, quality updates, new features, or technical support. This lack of updates means Windows 10 will become increasingly vulnerable to security threats and malware.
Additionally, other software providers, including Microsoft, may stop supporting their applications on Windows 10. This could impact compatibility and functionality of applications such as Microsoft 365 (Office). It is advisable to plan an upgrade to a supported operating system to maintain security and software compatibility.
Technically, yes, but we strongly recommend against it. Devices running Windows 10 will become increasingly vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and hacking due to the lack of security patches.
Businesses may find their insurance policies are invalidated and those in regulated industries may also face compliance violations.
Similarly, MTG cannot provide comprehensive support for devices running unsupported operating systems. If you remain on Windows 10 and require assistance, our support will be provided on a ‘best endeavours’ basis, which may incur additional costs and limit our liability.
Endpoint security software alone cannot fully protect against vulnerabilities at the operating system level. Without regular security updates from Microsoft, your device remains susceptible to threats that antivirus software alone can’t effectively mitigate.
Your Windows 10 device may be eligible for an update to Windows 11, depending primarily on hardware compatibility. Typically, the processor is the main determining factor. If your device is over 7 years old, it likely will not be eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade and will need to be replaced.
Your MTG account manager will contact you with a detailed list of your devices and recommendations regarding their eligibility for upgrading to Windows 11.
Unfortunately, it’s typically the processor that is the determining factor in whether your device is compatible with Windows 11, rather than more easily upgradable parts of the device such as memory or additional disk space. A processor upgrade is unlikely to be cost effective when compared to the cost of a replacement device.
Microsoft have released a list of compatible 64-bit processors that are eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade.
Your MTG account manager will contact you with a detailed list of your devices and recommendations regarding their eligibility and suitability for upgrading to Windows 11.
Devices which it may be better to replace sooner, rather than upgrade now and then replace later, will be identified. Recommendations are subjective and you and your account manager should discuss the use of any individual device to determine a replacement roadmap.
Please discuss managing your Windows 11 update with your MTG account manager. MTG will ensure your transition to Windows 11 is seamless by creating a plan for each device and performing any necessary migration of files, applications, and profile settings.
Although unofficial methods may exist to upgrade incompatible devices to Windows 11, Microsoft does not support these practices.
Upgrading an unsupported device means it may not receive security updates or software patches, leaving it exposed to potential vulnerabilities. Even if the initial upgrade is successful, future updates might lead to instability or loss of functionality.
Microsoft has identified specific hardware requirements designed to provide optimal performance with Windows 11. Unsupported hardware may experience degraded performance, frequent crashes, or reduced battery life.
Additionally, if a security incident occurs, insurance companies and regulatory bodies may classify Windows 11 installations on unsupported hardware as non-compliant or unsupported, potentially affecting insurance coverage and regulatory compliance.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended to adhere to Microsoft’s official hardware requirements and upgrade guidelines for maximum security, reliability, and compliance.
This is an excellent opportunity to review and reassess your hardware requirements. Devices that don’t support Windows 11 typically were purchased before the Covid pandemic. Flexible working is now more widespread and many companies have Business Continuity Plans (BCP) requiring staff to use laptops remotely to ensure service continuity.
MTG, as an authorised Lenovo partner, can supply competitively priced hardware from Lenovo and other manufacturers through our distribution network, including potential volume discounts. Please speak with your MTG account manager to discuss your hardware requirements.
MTG will configure any new device to join your network, install management and monitoring software, endpoint security (antivirus), your business-critical and productivity applications, and migrate files and user profiles from your old device. While a standard configuration fee applies, setting up multiple devices simultaneously can benefit from economies of scale.
To ensure the security of your corporate data, it is important to ensure your old hardware is disposed of in a secure manner and follow the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations.
If MTG has supplied your new device, we will handle the disposal of your old hardware free of charge. This includes decommissioning it from our asset register, removing management software and endpoint security, securely destroying the hard drives, and providing a certificate of destruction. The remaining device components will then be sent to our UK partner for repurposing or recycling.
Microsoft has introduced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme for Windows 10, although the available details are currently limited. The ESU provides critical and important security updates through an annual subscription service after support ends. However, it does not include new features, general technical support, design changes, or customer-requested non-security updates.
Pricing has not yet been confirmed in GBP. However, Microsoft has announced the USD prices:
October 2025 – October 2026: $61 per device/year
October 2026 – October 2027: $122 per device/year
October 2027 – October 2028: $244 per device/year
The cost doubles each year, with a maximum duration of three years.
If you access a Windows 365 Cloud PC via your Windows 10 device, ESU coverage is included at no additional cost until October 2028.
Please note that after Windows 10 support ends, Office or Microsoft 365 desktop applications will no longer be supported on Windows 10. If immediate upgrading isn’t feasible, you can uninstall desktop versions and instead use Office applications online through a web browser.
Another alternative is to subscribe to a Windows 365 Cloud PC, which includes ESU coverage. However, this option may not be cost-effective unless integrated within a broader IT strategy.
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 devices used solely to access Windows 11 Cloud PCs through Windows 365 will automatically be enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme. This means these devices will continue to receive critical and important security updates beyond October 2025 without additional cost.
If your Windows 10 device is exclusively used for connecting to your Windows 365 Cloud PC, and you only need assurance of essential security updates, you can continue using Windows 10 beyond its standard support period.
However, if you run other applications directly on your Windows 10 device, those applications might eventually lose support from their software providers. Specifically, Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 desktop applications will no longer be supported on Windows 10 after October 2025.
At present, software providers used by MTG for your ITaaS (IT as a Service) have not announced plans to discontinue Windows 10 support, but this situation may change.