Windows 10 End-of-Life (EOL): For Those of Us Left Behind
- Triumvirate Cyber
- Sep 29
- 3 min read
On October 14, 2025, the digital heavens will open, and Windows 10 will… well, not ascend exactly, but it will hit its end-of-life (EOL) and be retired to the great data center in the sky. This post is your guide for making sure your systems transition smoothly—and don’t get left behind.
For those of us who remain on this earthly plane, this is no time to despair. It’s a moment to take action. While your computers won’t vanish in a puff of divine smoke, there are serious risks for businesses which ignore the signs of what lies ahead.
Why Windows 10 End-of-Life (EOL) Matters
When Windows 10 reaches its EOL in just a few short weeks, Microsoft will officially stop providing:
Security updates: leaving systems exposed to new cyber threats
Bug fixes: meaning long-standing issues will stay unresolved
Technical support: no more help from Microsoft when things go wrong—yes, we’re aware of the irony of that statement
For businesses handling sensitive information (especially those in the defense industrial base) running an unsupported operating system isn’t just a technical risk—it could put your organization out of compliance with NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC requirements, jeopardizing contracts and data security.
The looming Windows 10 EOL is about protecting both your business and your bottom line. While the U.S. Department of Justice isn’t a three-headed hound, being bit by a False Claims Act (FCA) violation could be pretty hellish.
The Paths Forward
When Windows 10 support ends, organizations will have two primary options (and one very bad we-told-you-not-to-do-this non-option).*
* You could also abandon Windows and migrate to Linux, but that’s only for nerds and it overcomplicates our theme. I guess it would be converting?
Upgrade to Windows 11
This is the best long-term solution for organizations with hardware that meets Windows 11 requirements. Windows 11 offers modern security features like Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) and enhanced device protections designed for today’s threat landscape. To continue walking in the light of security and compliance, this is the ideal approach.
Planning ahead is key for this approach:
Determine the compatibility of existing hardware (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, etc.)
Test critical applications before rolling out the upgrade (ideally on a subset of systems)
Communicate upcoming changes to users and apply upgrades in batches to minimize disruptions—and to keep both your users and your IT support team from coming after you with pitchforks
Track the entire process via a formal change management program (CM.L2-3.4.3, anyone?)
Purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU)
If an immediate upgrade isn’t possible, Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU) through a paid program that provides security updates for up to three years after EOL. Think of ESU as upgrade limbo until your systems can be reincarnated in new hardware.
This option is useful if any of the following scenarios apply to your organization:
Legacy software needs time to be updated or replaced
Hardware upgrades aren’t in the current budget—but keep in mind there’s a cost for ESU as well
A phased migration plan is in progress
It’s not a forever fix, but it prevents you from descending into noncompliance while preparing for a full transition.
Do Nothing & Face Certain Doom
Without updates or support, Windows 10 systems become prime targets for cyberattacks. For regulated industries, like those requiring CMMC compliance, this approach can lead directly to non-compliance and contract loss—and there are no halls of Valhalla for those who fall in battle with unsupported technology.
Don’t Wait for the Final Countdown
The end of Windows 10 won’t be the end of the world, but it is the end of an era. The sooner you plan your next step (if you haven’t already), the smoother your transition will be—whether that means upgrading to Windows 11 or securing ESUs. Make the choice now so you don’t find yourself looking back later, thinking about all the things you’d change if you could.
How We Can Help
As a CyberAB Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO), Triumvirate Cybersecurity specializes in guiding businesses through complex transitions and constructing robust processes to keep them on the straight-and-narrow.
Our goal is to ensure that when the new dawn arrives, your organization is ready to face it confidently, regardless of what the day brings. Contact us to find out how we can help your organization build resilience to confront the ever-changing technological and compliance landscape.
