ShareAre you using a Microsoft Windows 10 computer system? Desktop computer systems and laptops have an operating system (OS). The two supported Microsoft Windows Operating Systems are Windows 10 and Windows 11. The operating system communicates with the hardware, peripherals, and software on the computer system.
Microsoft typically supports an operating system for ten years before making the operating system no longer supported, and end-of-life. Microsoft released Windows 10 in July 2015 and released Windows 11 in October 2021. Microsoft plans to release Windows 12 operating system in the Fall or 2025. Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will no longer be supported as of October 14th, 2025. An end-of-life operating system means that Microsoft will no longer release updates and patches for the operating system, which include security updates for vulnerabilities. Additionally, your computer with an end-of-life operating system will not be compliant with your cyber insurance policy.
Depending upon the age and specs of the computer systems at your office and at home will determine whether you should plan to upgrade your computer’s operating system from Windows 10 to Windows 11 or if you should replace the computer system. Just because your computer runs the Windows 10 operating system does not mean that it will run the Windows 11 operating system.
For your computers, determine the operating system, processor, amount of RAM, and purchase date. Computers purchased in 2022, 2023, and 2024 will typically be able to update to Windows 11 without an issue. Computers purchased beforehand have a good chance of not updating properly or at all. Additionally, the computers purchased beforehand are at least four or more years old. By the time you put service hours into installing the update, and the fact that the computer may not even complete the upgrade, it is typically not worth the time and cost. You should plan to replace the computer or laptop.
Additionally, you need to check all the software applications that you use on your computer to make sure that they are supported on Windows 11. Check with each software manufacturer and the specifications of the software version you have installed. You may need to upgrade the software applications when you replace your computer or if you upgrade to the Windows 11 operating system.
One question I get asked quite often when meeting and consulting with clients is whether they should purchase a Windows 11 computer or wait until Windows 12 releases to purchase a new replacement computer. When a new operating system is released, many software manufacturers do not have their software fully tested and ready for the new operating system. Even though the software manufacturers receive pre-releases of the new operating system, it takes time to reprogram and upgrade their software for the latest operating system version. Many times, this process takes six or more months to get the software applications reprogrammed and fully tested. I recommend replacing when replacement computers are due and required and not playing the waiting game since there is an unknown of when software manufacturers will be ready.
Do not wait until the last minute to upgrade or replace your computer due the Windows 10 end-of-life. There are so many computers that need to be upgraded and replaced that resellers will more than likely experience inventory delays due to hardware manufacturers unable to meet demand or computer part shortages.
For those of you who have been around for a while, you experienced this during Microsoft Windows 7 operating system end-of-life and Microsoft Windows 8.1 operating system end-of life. This is no different. You just need to plan to upgrade the computers to Windows 11 that are within a year or two old and replace the computers that are much older.
I wish you and your families Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Alicia A. Slade, MS, MBA, is the President of Plummer Slade, Inc., a computer networking, Managed Services Provider (MSP), and Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) located in downtown Pittsburgh. Plummer Slade provides IT Managed services and solutions to hundreds of law firms in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. Plummer Slade is exclusively endorsed for IT Solutions by the Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA). Alicia can be reached at 412-261-5600 or aslade@plummerslade.com.
