30 Days Remaining
On 14th of October 2025 Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10. For business leaders who haven't yet completed their migration, the window is closing fast. Leaving it late doesn't mean it's too late, but it does require a structured plan to minimise business risk and maintain compliance.
Drawing from over 30 years of experience, this is the broad framework we would use to plan for our migration if we started from a clean slate today.
" We saw during the Windows 7 EOS in 2020 that preparation made all the difference, AVTech guided many businesses through late-stage planning to ensure a smooth transition... "
Windows 11 benefits fact sheet
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1: Assess your current environment
Comprehensive Device Audit
Before starting any planning, get a clear picture of the starting point. Go beyond a simple device count, use an IT asset management (ITAM) or endpoint management tool to scan your environment. Make note of more than the current version of operating system, CPU, RAM, storage, TPM 2.0 status etc. Having these details easily accessible will be critical later when establishing the best upgrade path for your devices.
This audit needs to take into consideration potential blind spots that exist in your environment, this will look different depending on industry. It is important to note that not all devices under management will appear in automated reports, and example being certain kiosks and virtual machines. If your organisation lacks a formal BYOD policy or has a weak enforcement policy this could also extend to employee and contractor BYOD laptops.
Critical Applications Testing
The type of applications most at risk during a Windows upgrade are those with complex integrations, these may include CRM, accounting and data warehousing software. In the event that connectors or middleware processes data fail or behave differently, disruption can be avoided if data flow and integrations are tested in a pilot environment prior to the full migration.
Shadow IT
Windows 10 End of Support may serve as a catalyst to uncover shadow IT, take time to meet with heads of departments and position the review as a mandatory migration exercise.
"IT needs to make sure all applications and devices your team depend on will continue to work after the migration"
Rather than a compliance crackdown, frame this discussion around each departments business continuity and risk avoidance.
Outcome: Get a clear picture of the devices that need to be upgraded now, anything which is not compatible with Windows 11 will require a different strategy.
2: Decide on Your Upgrade path
With a clear view of your current environment, the next step is to determine the best way forward for each device. Not every machine will follow the same journey, and trying to force a single approach can lead to unnecessary cost or disruption. A smart migration balances direct upgrades, hardware refreshes, and alternative solutions.
Direct upgrades should be the priority for devices that meet Windows 11 requirements. These are the simplest to address and deliver the quickest returns, ensuring users gain immediate access to enhanced security and meet compliance.
Minimum Specifications:
- Processor: >2 core >1 gigahertz (GHz)
- RAM: >4 gigabytes (GB)
- Storage: >64 GB
Full specification list: Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements | Microsoft
For non-compliant or ageing hardware, a hardware refresh is the most strategic option. While it involves upfront investment, it positions your business for the long term when compared to purchasing Microsoft Extended security updates (ESU). Consider aligning device refreshes with existing lifecycle management practices to optimise budgets.
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Where devices cannot be replaced in time, or where legacy applications block direct upgrades, virtual desktop or cloud options provide a secure interim pathway as these solutions maintain business continuity in a compliant manner.
Outcome: A phased migration plan that aligns with budget, device readiness, and operational priorities, ensuring each endpoint transitions in the most cost-effective and strategic way possible.
3: Plan for Security & Compliance
After the 14th of October, unpatched Windows 10 devices will no longer receive security fixes. Every unsupported machine becomes a weak point in your environment, creating both cyber risk and compliance exposure. Planning for a well structured migration must address both.
For critical systems that cannot be upgraded in time, Extended Security Update (ESU) licenses are the only safeguard. They provide temporary patches for up to three years, buying time to finalise your migration strategy whilst protecting your vital systems.
Equally important is reviewing and updating your compliance documentation. Your business or industry may have unique obligations, but here are some common frameworks:
- PCI DSS: for businesses processing payment card data, where unpatched systems can trigger audit failure.
- ISO 27001: where maintaining a risk management framework requires demonstrating mitigation actions.
- HIPAA: for organisations handling health data, where unsupported devices can compromise protected information.
- Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) requiring businesses to take reasonable steps to secure personal information.
Documenting risk mitigation steps and showing a clear migration plan demonstrates due diligence to regulators, customers, and stakeholders.
Outcome: Reduced exposure to attack, maintained compliance across relevant frameworks, and reassurance for auditors and customers throughout the transition.
4: Clear Internal Communication
Technology projects succeed when people are prepared. Communicating clearly with staff ensures they understand what is happening, why it matters, and how they will be supported throughout the process.
Share timelines, responsibilities, and key milestones with relevant teams to prevent any surprises. Highlight the benefits of Windows 11, from stronger security to faster performance, so the change is positioned as an improvement, not just an obligation.
Where possible, provide quick-reference guides or short training sessions to help users adapt faster. This simple step can reduce frustration, improve employee productivity, and lightens the load on IT support teams during and after migration.
Outcome: Greater user confidence, fewer disruption related issues, and stronger engagement from employees as the organisation transitions.
5: Seek External Assistance
A last month migration will stretch internal IT resources to their limit. Partnering with an experienced MSP like AVTech ensures the process is structured, efficient, and completed without unnecessary risk or delay.
This is not our first Windows end-of-support event. Over the past 30 years, we’ve successfully guided businesses through multiple transitions, from Windows XP and Vista to Windows 7 and beyond. Each time, proven methodology and preparation made the difference between disruption and smooth delivery.
AVTech provides:
- Best-practice planning tailored to your infrastructure and goals.
- Expert deployment that accelerates migration and minimises downtime.
- Ongoing partnership, ensuring your systems remain secure and future ready well past October.
Outcome: A migration completed with confidence, backed by a trusted partner with decades of hands-on experience guiding businesses through critical IT change.
Next Step: The time to act is now
With less than a month remaining before we reach the 14th of October, every day that passes increasingly counts. Businesses that act now can avoid unnecessary downtime, unexpected cost in the form of new hardware or excessive ESU licenses and avoid compliance risks of running an unpatched operating system.
