Still Running Windows 10 Because It Feels Fine for Now?
If you signed up for Extended Security Updates, Windows 10 probably does feel fine. It turns on, it works, it gets security updates. No obvious drama. But that feeling of safety is temporary. Windows 10 officially reached the end of standard support in October 2025. ESU was always meant to be a short-term safety net, not a long-term strategy. That net disappears in October 2026. After that, Windows 10 stops receiving security updates altogether. No patches. No fixes. No safety net.
Why So Many Businesses Are Still Putting This Off
Microsoft has not exactly made the decision feel urgent. The same screen that warns you about end of support also makes ESU sign up a single click. One click, accept the terms, carry on. For a lot of businesses that felt like the problem was handled. It was not. Data shows millions of PCs worldwide are still running Windows 10, even in regions where the deadline is well known. Familiarity and the absence of obvious problems make it easy to keep pushing the decision back.
What Happens When the Safety Net Disappears
Once October 2026 passes, staying on Windows 10 means running known vulnerabilities with no way to fix them. That is a technical risk but also a commercial one. Cyber insurance, compliance requirements and supplier expectations increasingly assume supported software. Some older PCs will not support Windows 11 at all. Leaving this too late leads to rushed purchases, disruption for staff and avoidable costs that a proper plan could have spread out comfortably.
Now Is a Good Time to Review Your Options
At Amicus IT, we help St. Louis area businesses check whether their current PCs can upgrade and plan a smooth path to Windows 11 before the deadline arrives. Get in touch today.