Support has been extended for Windows 10. Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but there is now a transitional support program available.
Knowing what it covers — and what it does not — will help you make the right decision for your business.
It’s time to say “goodbye” to Windows 10. While there is some extended support available now, it won’t always be there.
What Actually Happened to Windows 10 in October 2025?
Microsoft stopped releasing standard updates and security patches for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. However, rather than leaving users stranded, Microsoft introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program — a paid bridge that continues delivering critical security patches to enrolled devices while businesses and individuals plan their move to Windows 11.
For business customers, ESU is available through Microsoft’s Volume Licensing program at USD $61 per device for Year One, with the cost doubling each subsequent year for up to three years. It covers security patches only — there are no new features, no bug fixes beyond security issues, and no general technical support. It is a temporary safety net, not a long-term solution.
Why You Cannot Rely on ESU Indefinitely
The escalating cost structure is an incentive to upgrade – Year One at US$61 per device, Year Two at US$122, Year Three at US$244. For a business with ten devices, that adds up to over US$4,000 across three years — without a single improvement to your technology. By contrast, investing in new hardware now gives you better performance, stronger built-in security, a modern operating system, and equipment that will serve your business for years to come.
There is also a more immediate concern: businesses running Windows 10 devices that are not enrolled in ESU have already missed months of critical security patches since October 2025. Every unpatched device is a potential entry point for cyber criminals. The cost of a ransomware incident or data breach will almost certainly exceed the cost of acting now.
Your Options: Upgrade or Replace?
Not every Windows 10 machine needs to be replaced. Many computers from the last four or five years are capable of running Windows 11 — and for those that are, the upgrade is free. OJ Computers can check your devices for Windows 11 compatibility and carry out the upgrade with minimal disruption to your working day.
Where machines are older or incompatible, replacement is the smarter long-term investment. As an authorised Leader Computers agent, we can supply a full range of business-grade laptops, desktops, and all-in-one computers to suit every budget. We also handle data migration and setup, so the transition is as smooth as possible.
Protect Every Device with ESET Security
Whatever path you choose, make sure every business device is running current security software. OJ Computers recommends ESET Security for business, providing real-time protection against viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing. We manage billing and renewals locally — one simple annual invoice, no complicated online portals.
We Come to You
If you run a business in Victor Harbor, Goolwa, Port Elliot, Strathalbyn, Yankalilla, Normanville, Middleton or anywhere across the Fleurieu Peninsula, we can visit your premises in the afternoon to assess your situation in person. We will tell you plainly which machines can be upgraded, which should be replaced, and what the most cost-effective path looks like for your business. No jargon, no pressure — just honest local advice.