Life after Windows 10 – why waiting to upgrade is no longer an option

As of 14 October 2025, Windows 10 is no longer a supported operating system. For any organisations yet to migrate to Windows 11, this means any vulnerabilities are now left unpatched, increasing security risks such as cyber attacks and data breaches, with potentially severe financial penalties. It’s a level of risk that no organisation should be willing to take.

There’s also a financial consideration; the newest devices available from all major OEMs now ship with Windows 11 pre-installed by default. Paying for ESUs (at $61 per device and doubling YoY) and then manually downgrading those units to Windows 10 results in less capable technology with an increased cost. In today’s environment, this simply does not make sense.

Beyond security and financial considerations, organisations are also missing out on substantial productivity gains from being able to roll-out the latest technology. These new devices are more efficient, modern and purpose-built for Windows 11, with faster processors, better battery life and advanced security. Microsoft data shows that these endpoints can lead to a 50% increase in end-user workflow efficiency and 58% fewer security incidents, demonstrating the tangible value of modernisation.

The AI advantage – the Copilot family

Modern working isn’t just about operating systems, it’s about equipping people with intelligent tools that help them work smarter.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI assistant that sits as part of the Microsoft stack. Using  large language models, it improves an end-user’s productivity on a daily basis. This includes creating meeting summaries, producing business plans, building slide decks and writing emails. While every organisation’s use cases will vary, the strategic goal remains the same – enabling people to be more communicative, concise and as creative as possible in their daily work.

From a hardware perspective, the latest and greatest sits in the form of Copilot+ PC. These devices are designed to run AI tasks more efficiently than a traditional PC, using specialised hardware and software. Purpose-built for AI workloads, they operate at 40+ TOPS (trillion operations per second) to handle AI tasks locally. Their dedicated NPUs (neural processing units), alongside CPUs GPUs, allow them to offload parallel processing and machine learning tasks to improve the speed and efficiency of AI-powered features.

With AI PCs boasting improved speed, efficiency and battery life, users are being empowered rather than hindered by technology, leading to improved productivity. This means great improvements to everyday tasks including real-time translation during meetings, instant image editing, enhanced noise suppression and rapid searches across documents. Running AI workloads locally also strengthens security by reducing reliance on cloud processing or browser-based AI tools. This means IT teams benefit from enhanced control and reduced risk.

Why many organisations still haven’t moved

We understand that the common blockers to migrating include a lack of time, resource, budget or in-house expertise. At Softcat, we are helping customers overcome these challenges by providing:

• Windows 11 readiness services, including application assessments to package, virtualise or containerise application estates.
•  DEX tooling to identify incompatible Windows 11 devices and support a clear and efficient replacement strategy.
•  Persona mapping to ensure new devices align with user needs – including Copilot+ PCs where appropriate.
•  Logistics and provisioning solutions to support a timely, cost-effective and professional roll-out.

Upgrading isn’t just about staying supported, it’s about ensuring your people stay protected, productive and ready to benefit from the rapid acceleration of AI in the workplace, while reducing risk.

If you’d like to discuss next steps or begin planning your migration, please reach out to your Softcat Account Manager or End-User Specialist, or reach out to a member of our Sales team.