If your business is still running Windows 10, you are now operating without a safety net. Microsoft ended all support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, meaning no more security patches, no bug fixes, and no protection against newly discovered vulnerabilities.
For home users, that is a nuisance. For a business handling client data, financial records, or personal information, it is a serious compliance and security risk.
What End of Life Actually Means
When Microsoft ends support for an operating system, they stop releasing security updates. Hackers know this and actively target machines running unsupported software, because the vulnerabilities will never be patched. It happened with Windows XP, it happened with Windows 7, and it is happening now with Windows 10.
If you are storing client records, processing payments, or accessing email on a Windows 10 machine, you are running a system that is openly exploitable and growing more vulnerable every week.
The Australian Compliance Angle
Under the Privacy Act 1988, Australian businesses must take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse and unauthorised access. Running an end-of-life operating system on a machine that handles personal data is hard to defend as reasonable, especially after a breach.
The Essential Eight framework from the Australian Cyber Security Centre also includes patching operating systems as a core mitigation strategy. Continuing on Windows 10 puts you offside with both frameworks.
Does Your Hardware Support Windows 11?
This is where many Sutherland Shire businesses get caught out. Windows 11 has specific hardware requirements that older machines may not meet. You will need TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, an Intel 8th gen or AMD Ryzen 2000 series processor or newer, at least 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage. Machines purchased before 2018 often do not qualify, which means a hardware refresh may be on the cards.
The good news is that a new machine gives you a fresh, fast start. Modern business laptops and desktops have dropped significantly in price, and combined with Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, you get a significantly more capable and secure setup than what most small businesses are currently running.
What To Do Right Now
Start with an audit. Know exactly which machines in your business are running Windows 10 and whether they are eligible for the free upgrade to Windows 11. From there, you can plan which machines to upgrade in place, and which ones need replacing.
A few things to do before upgrading any machine: back up everything first, check that your key business software supports Windows 11, and allow 1-2 hours per machine for the upgrade process. Test thoroughly before relying on it for critical work.
We Can Help
Windows 10 end of life is not a future problem. It happened in October 2025, and every month you continue running it, the security risk increases. If you are not sure where your business stands, or you need help planning an upgrade path, give us a call.
We help Sutherland Shire businesses assess their current setup, identify which machines need replacing versus upgrading, and manage the transition with minimal downtime. Call us on 02 9037 7333 or drop into our Cronulla office to get started.
