Still Running Windows 10? Your Plain-English Upgrade Path

Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025. Months later, plenty of Adelaide small businesses still have a few machines running it — usually the ones that "just work" and nobody wanted to touch. Here's what that means in practice, minus the panic.

What "end of support" actually means

Your Windows 10 computers haven't stopped working. What has stopped is security updates: every new vulnerability discovered from now on stays unpatched forever. Each month your exposure grows a little, and cyber criminals actively target known, unpatched holes in out-of-support systems.

It also matters for compliance and insurance. Essential Eight alignment and most cyber insurance policies now expect supported, patched operating systems. An unpatched Windows 10 machine can complicate a claim.

Your three realistic options

1. Upgrade in place: if the machine is reasonably modern (roughly 2019 or newer, with a supported processor), upgrading to Windows 11 is often free and straightforward. Check compatibility first — not every machine qualifies.

2. Replace the device: for older machines, a new business-grade laptop or desktop is usually smarter than paying to extend the life of ageing hardware. New devices arrive faster, under warranty, and with Windows 11 already installed.

3. Isolate it: if a machine runs one piece of legacy software you can't move yet, it can be kept off the internet and away from email while you plan its replacement. This is a bridge, not a destination.

The sensible sequence

Start with an inventory: which devices, who uses them, and what they run. Upgrade what qualifies, replace what doesn't, and isolate anything stuck. A structured rollout over a few weeks beats a panicked scramble after an incident.

Not sure what's on your network? UMI's free consultation includes a device audit — we'll tell you exactly which machines need attention and which are fine. Book a time and we'll take a look.