Windows 10 reached end of life in October 2025 - meaning no more security updates from Microsoft. For Perth businesses still running Windows 10, this is not a theoretical risk. Unpatched operating systems are a primary entry point for ransomware and cyberattacks. Here's what you need to know.
What “End of Life” Actually Means for Your Business
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft stopped releasing security patches for Windows 10. Every vulnerability discovered after that date - and there will be many - will remain permanently unpatched. Running Windows 10 after end of life is the equivalent of not locking your front door: it may be fine for a while, but eventually someone will try the handle.
For Perth businesses in industries with compliance requirements - healthcare, finance, legal - running an unsupported OS may also put you in breach of your obligations.
Does Your Hardware Support Windows 11?
Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, and this catches many businesses off guard. The key requirements are:
- TPM 2.0 - a security chip most PCs made after 2017 have, but it may need to be enabled in BIOS
- 64-bit processor - any modern CPU qualifies
- 4GB RAM minimum - 8GB recommended for business use
- 64GB storage minimum
- UEFI firmware with Secure Boot
PCs purchased before 2017 are unlikely to be compatible and will need replacement. This is actually an opportunity - older hardware is also slower, less reliable, and costs more in lost productivity than it saves in deferred replacement costs.
How to Check Compatibility
Microsoft's free PC Health Check app (available from Microsoft's website) will tell you immediately whether a specific machine can run Windows 11 and, if not, exactly why. Run this on every business PC before planning your upgrade timeline.
The Upgrade Process: What to Expect
For compatible hardware, upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is generally smooth. Your files, applications, and settings are preserved. However, before any upgrade:
- Verify backups are current and tested
- Check that business-critical software (accounting packages, industry-specific tools) supports Windows 11
- Schedule upgrades outside business hours to minimise disruption
- Test one machine first before rolling out across the whole office
Older line-of-business applications - particularly those built before 2018 - occasionally have compatibility issues with Windows 11. Identify these before you upgrade, not after.
Hardware Replacement Planning
If a portion of your fleet isn't compatible, now is the time to plan replacements. Consider a staged approach: replace the oldest and most critical machines first, upgrade compatible ones, and set a deadline to retire everything incompatible by mid-2026 at the latest.
When replacing hardware, look at Windows 11 Pro (not Home) for business machines - Pro includes BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, and domain/Intune management features that matter for business use.
Extended Security Updates (ESU) - A Temporary Bridge
Microsoft offers paid Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 - giving businesses extra time to migrate. However, ESU is expensive and is only a delay, not a solution. Factor it into your budget only if you have a genuine business reason for the extended timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a specific PC can run Windows 11?
Microsoft's free PC Health Check app will tell you immediately whether a machine is compatible, and if not, exactly why. It's worth running this on every business PC before planning an upgrade timeline, rather than assuming everything purchased around the same time will pass or fail together.
Will we lose our files and settings when upgrading to Windows 11?
For compatible hardware, the upgrade generally preserves your files, applications, and settings, so it's a fairly smooth process. That said, it's still worth verifying backups are current and tested before any upgrade, just in case something unexpected comes up on a particular machine.
Is Extended Security Updates (ESU) worth paying for instead of upgrading?
It can buy extra time, but it's a paid, temporary bridge rather than a real solution, since it doesn't add new features or fix the underlying hardware compatibility issue. It's generally worth budgeting for ESU only if there's a genuine business reason you need more time before completing the move to Windows 11.
Should we buy Windows 11 Home or Pro for new business machines?
Pro is generally the better fit for business use, since it includes BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, and domain or Intune management features that Home doesn't offer. These are the kinds of controls that matter once a device is being managed and secured as part of a business fleet rather than used purely at home.
Fleet audits, compatibility checks, and staged rollouts are exactly the kind of work our IT support team handles for Perth businesses.
IT Support Perth →Need help upgrading your Perth business to Windows 11?
Call 0433 087 091 - we'll audit your fleet, check compatibility, and manage the whole upgrade process for you.
Book a Free IT AssessmentFor related reading, see our guides to Windows 10 End of Support: A Checklist for Perth Businesses and Windows Server Support for Perth Businesses.