By Insider.co.uk

Copyright insider

Windows 10 goes ‘end of life’ on 14 October.

With the deadline looming, many businesses will be in a bind over whether to upgrade their systems or opt to take on extended support.

But what should businesses know now to make sure the date passes without any glitches?

Many organisations might balk at the expense and opt to pay for extended support for 10.

However, it could be said that this is a mistake: upgrading from Windows 10 isn’t just about mitigating security risks; it’s a chance to modernise your IT and rethink how your business uses technology.

Microsoft offers a one-year Extended Security Update for Windows 10. This is, however, expensive, and at around £23 per device. It therefore needs to be viewed as a short-term fix, not a long-term solution.

At this cost, SMEs with even a modest amount of staff could be spending thousands just to cling to Windows 10.

Hardware has been a major concern with upgrading to Windows 11: the new operating system has stricter requirements than Windows 10, requiring a modern PC with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM).

This hardware was not standard on PCs even a few years old, and many companies are finding their tech incompatible. Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool can help you figure this out quickly.

If your machines don’t make the cut, you’ll need to decide whether to upgrade them or replace them. This might seem onerous, but Microsoft’s new hardware requirements come with a heightened focus on security, and TPMs help to make computers, and by extension, your data, more secure.

Upgrading your hardware shouldn’t be seen as just a cost: it’s an investment in your business’s future.

Software is another concern: will all your business’ software work on Windows 11?

In theory, Windows 10 apps should be cross-compatible with 11, but it’s important to ensure this, especially if you rely on any custom or legacy software. IT partners and consulting firms can offer support to help run businesses through the App Assure programme, to ensure compatibility.

The cost of these assessments and upgrades can seem painful at first, but the return on investment is strong. As a modern OS, Windows 11 will help businesses work faster and more securely, and these are critical factors which will save money in the long run, and ensure your business’ agility.

Reports commissioned by Microsoft claim businesses have seen a 250% return on investment by upgrading to 11, and 11 has doubled productivity, compared to 10.

Upgrading always presents an opportunity to rethink IT, regardless of the size of your business.

To reduce disruption, a few approaches can be taken: rolling out Windows 11 in phases, to allow staff time to adjust; incorporating secure cloud-based tools, like OneDrive and Intune, to simplify device management; and exploring AI-powered features like Microsoft Copilot to help your team work smarter.

It’s important to not forget about your staff.

Make sure that your team knows what’s coming, that they get the training they need, and that they have support during and after the upgrade. Tech transitions are often resource-intensive, and if internal teams don’t have the resources to perform upgrades in-house, it’s wise to partner with an IT service provider.

IT providers have decades of expertise and experience with upgrading and maintaining systems, and they can provide the critical support a business needs, ensuring the upgrade process goes safely, with minimal disruption to operations.

The end of Windows 10 support is a big moment for SMEs and represents a chance to upgrade, modernise, and build a more secure business. Upgrading your IT is not just about investing in one department, but in the business as a whole.

Start planning now, and you’ll be ahead of the curve, not scrambling at the last minute.

Graeme Gordon is the chief executive of Aberdeen-based Converged Solutions Group