We get it: this is inconvenient and, for some, costly. Many perfectly good PCs still run Windows 10—and replacing hardware isn’t always in the budget. But there’s a hard deadline coming, and planning now will save you stress later.
Deadline: Windows 10 reaches end of support on October 14, 2025. After that, no more free security updates or bug fixes. Your PCs will keep running, but they’ll grow increasingly vulnerable to attacks.
Can my PCs run Windows 11?
Windows 11 has stricter hardware rules:
- TPM 2.0 required. It’s a security chip (often built into newer CPUs) that stores keys and helps prevent tampering. Most business PCs from the last ~5–6 years have it; it may just need to be enabled in BIOS.
- CPU generation: Generally Intel 8th-gen (2017/2018+) or AMD Ryzen 2000/3000 series (2018+) and newer. Check Microsoft’s Windows 11 specs and CPU lists to be sure. Microsoft Compatibility List
Quick way to check
- Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app (official). It tells you if a device meets Windows 11 requirements and why/why not.
Download: https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp → run Check now.
What if I do nothing?
Unsupported Windows 10 machines won’t receive security fixes—raising cyber-risk, compliance exposure, and potential downtime from malware/ransomware. (They’ll still boot, but with increasing risk).
Your paths forward
- Upgrade to Windows 11 (best, if compatible).
- Steps:
a) Run PC Health Check.
b) If it’s green, go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and upgrade, or use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant on Microsoft’s site. Microsoft Support
- Steps:
- Buy time with Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10.
- For organizations (business/education editions): Year 1 is USD $61 per device via licensing/CSP, and the price doubles each year (max 3 years). That’s a bridge—not a long-term solution. Consumer ESU offerings and sign-in requirements have changed a few times and may differ by region; always follow the current prompts in Settings. Microsoft Learn
- For individuals/very small setups on Windows 10 Home/Pro: Microsoft offers one year of ESU you can enroll from Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update. Depending on how you enroll, you may see options like $30 USD, Microsoft Rewards, or (outside North America, notably in the EEA) free; details vary by region and program terms. This covers security updates only through Oct 13, 2026. Windows Central
About “hacking” Windows 11 on old hardware (why we don’t recommend it)
There are unofficial methods to bypass checks, but Microsoft has been inflexible on this front. As an unfortunate example, Windows 11 24H2, released in the second half of 2024, added CPU instruction requirements (SSE 4.2 and POPCNT) that older processors simply don’t have. You can’t “fake” those in software, and since your machine would already be unsupported, you might be surprised by a sudden restart for an update and then fail to boot that version, with no support and no warning. That’s not acceptable risk for business use.
Need a Hand?
Sterling Grace Technologies can inventory your PCs, run compatibility checks, outline upgrade vs. ESU costs in CAD, and plan phased replacements where needed (prioritizing security-sensitive roles first). If you need help, you can reach out to us for help with this and all your other IT needs! Email us at support@sterlinggracetech.ca to get started today!