Windows 10 End of Life: Migrating Your Small Business to Windows 11 in 2026
As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft no longer supports Windows 10. In practical terms, your small business is no longer receiving security updates on those machines, which makes them increasingly vulnerable. Migrating to Windows 11 is no longer a distant option; it’s a security priority for 2026. Here’s what that means and how to get it done.
Quick answer: Windows 10 has been unsupported since October 14, 2025, meaning no more free security updates for the OS. To stay protected, your small business needs to plan the migration to Windows 11 on compatible machines (TPM 2.0 required) and either replace or temporarily extend (ESU program) those that aren’t.
What Windows 10’s End of Life Means
On October 14, 2025, Microsoft stopped providing security updates, patches, and technical support for Windows 10. Computers still running the OS will keep working, but any newly discovered vulnerability will go unpatched. For a business, that’s an open door to ransomware and data breaches.
Worth noting: Microsoft 365 apps will continue receiving security updates on Windows 10 through October 2028, but that doesn’t protect the operating system itself. Migrating to Windows 11 is still the real fix.
The Temporary Fix: The ESU Program
For machines that can’t migrate right away, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program that extends protection. The consumer program was extended to October 12, 2027. A business, however, falls under the commercial program, bought by the year at roughly 61 USD per device in year one, a price that doubles each year and is charged retroactively if you enrol late, through to October 2028. It’s a useful safety net, but it’s a temporary extension, not a solution.
Is Your Hardware Compatible with Windows 11?
Windows 11 has stricter requirements than Windows 10. Here are the minimum specs to check on each machine:
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster, minimum 2 cores, 64-bit compatible
- Memory: 4 GB or more
- Storage: 64 GB or more
- Security: UEFI with Secure Boot and a TPM 2.0 chip
- Display: HD screen (720p), 9 inches or larger
The TPM 2.0 chip and Secure Boot are usually what block older machines. A quick audit will tell you which ones are compatible and which need to be replaced.
How to Run a Successful Windows 11 Migration
A solid migration takes planning to avoid disruptions. Here are the steps we follow with our clients.
- Inventory: catalog all machines and check their compatibility.
- Backup: protect data before any upgrade.
- Phased plan: migrate in batches so operations are never brought to a halt.
- Deployment: upgrade compatible machines, replace the rest.
- Validation: test business applications and train employees.
Why Act Now
The longer you wait, the greater the risk. An unpatched machine is an easy target, and cyber insurers increasingly require up-to-date systems. For small businesses in Quebec, planning the migration now avoids last-minute scrambles and unwelcome surprises. It’s also a chance to modernize your fleet and gain a real performance boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Windows 10 computer stop working?
No, it will keep booting. But without security updates, it gradually becomes more vulnerable. The risk grows over time, especially in a business environment.
Is the upgrade to Windows 11 free?
For compatible machines with a valid Windows 10 license, the upgrade to Windows 11 is generally free. Incompatible machines will need to be replaced.
How long does a business migration take?
It depends on the number of machines and their compatibility. A well-planned, phased migration runs without major disruption to operations.
Plan Your Migration Without the Stress
Ready to assess your fleet and organize your small business’s Windows 11 migration in Quebec without the headache? Contact OKTO Solutions for a no-obligation audit, or explore our services.
This kind of task goes quickly when someone else takes care of it: our IT support, our managed IT services and our IT services in Trois-Rivieres.
