The one-year countdown has begun, with today marking exactly one year to go until Microsoft officially ends support for Windows 10.

The tech giant will ‘sunset’ Windows 10, the world’s most used operating system, on October 14, 2025, bringing an end to free system updates, technical assistance and security patches. 

The shutdown of service will mean companies still running Windows 10 in 12 months’ time are increasingly at risk from cyber threats like malware, as well as zero-day exploits that target vulnerabilities that will no longer be fixed.

Meanwhile, an estimated one in five computers currently using the system – about 240 million worldwide– are at risk of becoming obsolete as their hardware is incompatible with Windows 11. Without a plan to transition, these PCs could fuel a spike in e-waste as businesses refresh their IT infrastructure as the deadline approaches.

Steve Haskew, group director of sustainability and growth at Circular Computing, said: “UK businesses need to plan now to avoid getting left with obsolete technology, which could cause disruptions to operations. 

“They should consider the environmental impact of their next steps, ensuring any IT refresh does not end up adding to the mountains of e-waste and that hardware is recycled responsibly.”

In order to plan ahead, Haskew has some key tips for businesses on how to prepare for the end of Windows 10 support.

Firstly, he argues that it’s important to remain calm, and remember that the October 2025 deadline doesn’t mean that Windows 10 will stop working, just that free technical support, feature updates and security updates or fixes will end, adding that users may still be able to pay for security patches, but this remains unconfirmed.

Also, Haskew reminds Windows 10 users to check their device compatibility to ensure that they can accommodate Windows 11, using free online tools to show if their hardware meets the minimum requirements, including having an Intel 8th-generation processor and support for the security chip TPM 2.0.

Windows 10 users should also have an upgrade plan, and make the switch to Windows 11 sooner rather than later. As well as ensuring continued security updates, switching over now gives businesses more time to adjust to the Windows 11 interface.

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Haskew’s final tips are to consider alternatives, like Linux or Google’s OS Flex, if Windows 11 isn’t suitable, and to ensure that data is kept secure throughout the switching process. 

“No matter what path you choose, make sure your businesses’ sensitive data is securely backed up in advance of any transition in case files are lost or compromised during the process,” said Haskew.

“If you choose to continue using Windows 10 beyond next October, it’s essential to invest in robust third-party security software to fill in for the end of support and offer protection from cyber attackers, which may increasingly target the legacy system.”