Windows 10 End of Support: What Australian Businesses Must Do Now

Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. If your business is still running Windows 10, you're no longer receiving security patches, bug fixes, or technical support from Microsoft and you are exposed to growing cybersecurity risks every single day.

We previously published an article about the Windows 10 End of Support to help businesses understand the risks and prepare for a smooth transition.

This is not a future problem. It is happening right now.

As of early 2026, roughly 27% of desktops worldwide are still running Windows 10 unpatched and unprotected. Dell has confirmed that approximately one billion PCs globally were still on Windows 10 at the end of 2025, with around half of those physically unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations.

For Australian businesses, the risks go beyond just outdated software. Running an unsupported operating system can directly impact your compliance posture, insurance coverage, and ability to win contracts in an increasingly security-conscious market.

What Does Windows 10 End of Support Actually Mean?

Since 14 October 2025, Microsoft has stopped delivering: security updates — every vulnerability discovered after that date remains unpatched on Windows 10; bug fixes — known issues and performance problems will never be resolved; technical support — Microsoft's support channels no longer cover Windows 10 outside the paid ESU programme.

Your Windows 10 PCs will still boot up, applications will still run, and printers will still print. Nothing breaks overnight — and that's precisely why so many organisations have delayed acting. But the urgency is invisible only until a breach occurs.

It's worth noting that third-party software vendors are also dropping Windows 10 support. Applications like Google Chrome, Firefox, and even Microsoft 365 will eventually stop receiving updates on Windows 10, opening even more avenues for attack.

Why This Matters for Australian Businesses

Cybersecurity Risks Are Escalating Daily

Without ongoing security patches, every Windows 10 device in your environment is a potential entry point for cybercriminals. Unpatched vulnerabilities are actively exploited — often within hours of being discovered.

As CyberArk's Cybersecurity Advisor Matt Balderstone warned: "The absence of security updates will leave millions of machines exposed to future vulnerabilities that will never be patched, creating prime conditions for attackers to exploit legacy systems."

The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack — which exploited unpatched Microsoft systems and crippled the UK's NHS, cancelling over 19,000 appointments — is a stark reminder of what happens when organisations run unsupported operating systems. The conditions are now eerily similar for businesses still on Windows 10.

Kaspersky's research found that nearly 60% of corporate devices were still running Windows 10 as of September 2025, with only 33% having upgraded to Windows 11. That's a massive attack surface, and cybercriminals know it.

ACSC Essential Eight Compliance

The Australian Signals Directorate's (ASD) Essential Eight framework is the benchmark for cybersecurity maturity in Australia. One of the eight core controls is patching operating system vulnerabilities — and running an unsupported OS is a direct non-compliance with this requirement.

In 2026, the ACSC is pushing harder than ever for evidence-based maturity assessments. Saying "we're secure" is no longer enough — organisations need to demonstrate it with automated patch deployment logs, vulnerability scan reports, and documented remediation timelines.

According to the ASD's 2025 Commonwealth Cyber Security Posture report, only around 22% of surveyed Australian entities had reached Essential Eight Maturity Level 2 — the baseline target for most organisations. That means roughly 4 in 5 Australian organisations remain exposed to attacks that basic Essential Eight controls would have prevented.

If your business handles government contracts, works with regulated industries, or simply wants to demonstrate good cybersecurity hygiene, running Windows 10 in 2026 is a serious liability.

Cyber Insurance and Regulatory Impact

Most Australian cyber insurance providers now require your IT environment to run on a supported operating system. Running Windows 10 beyond its end-of-support date may result in: policy breaches — your insurer may consider you non-compliant; denied claims — if a breach occurs on an unsupported system, your claim could be rejected; higher premiums — insurers are increasingly tying pricing to demonstrable security maturity, including Essential Eight alignment.

Hardware Compatibility and Supply Chain Pressure

Windows 11 requires specific hardware features, including TPM 2.0 and modern processors, that many older PCs don't support. Globally, an estimated 240 million PCs cannot upgrade to Windows 11 at all due to these requirements.

With millions of devices needing replacement across Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region, the demand for new hardware continues to outpace supply. Delaying your refresh plan could mean extended lead times, fewer device options, and higher costs as component prices — particularly memory — continue to rise.

Your Windows 10 Upgrade Options

Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11

If your current hardware meets the requirements (TPM 2.0, compatible CPU, Secure Boot), upgrading to Windows 11 Pro is the most seamless and cost-effective path. Windows 11 offers: enhanced security — hardware-backed protection, Smart App Control, and phishing protection built in; modern productivity features — Snap Layouts, virtual desktops, and native Microsoft Copilot integration; long-term support — ensuring your OS remains patched and compliant for years to come.

Many organisations are surprised to learn that a significant portion of their Windows 10 fleet already meets Windows 11 hardware requirements but simply hasn't been upgraded — often due to planning or resourcing gaps rather than technical barriers.

Option 2: Replace with New Hardware

For devices that can't be upgraded, investing in new hardware purpose-built for Windows 11 is the recommended approach. Consider: standard business laptops and desktops — fit for most office and hybrid work environments; Copilot+ PCs and AI-enabled devices — ideal for organisations leveraging AI tools that benefit from on-device neural processing units (NPUs); rugged or specialised devices — for field workers, warehousing, or industry-specific requirements.

The current PC refresh cycle is expected to continue through 2026, driven by the ageing installed base and the Windows 10 end of life. Acting now gives you better access to preferred devices before demand peaks further.

Option 3: Extended Security Updates (ESU)

Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme provides critical and important security patches for Windows 10 devices for up to three years post-end-of-support (until October 2028).

Australian ESU pricing (per device, via Volume Licensing): Year 1 (Nov 2025 – Oct 2026) $105.60 AUD; Year 2 (Nov 2026 – Oct 2027) $207.70 AUD; Year 3 (Nov 2027 – Oct 2028) $416.50 AUD; Total for 3 years $729.80 AUD.

Important: The ESU programme is cumulative — if you join in Year 2, you must also pay for Year 1. There's no skipping ahead.

At $729.80 per device over three years, the cost often exceeds the price of a new entry-level business PC. ESU is a temporary bridge, not a long-term strategy.

Free ESU options exist for organisations using Windows 365 Cloud PCs or Azure Virtual Desktop — Windows 10 VMs in these environments receive ESU at no additional cost.

Why You Need to Act Now

Every month you delay, the risk compounds: new vulnerabilities are being discovered and published regularly — and none of them will ever be patched on Windows 10; ESU costs are doubling each year, making the "wait and see" approach progressively more expensive; hardware availability is tightening as organisations across Australia compete for the same device stock; compliance expectations from the ACSC, insurers, and auditors are only getting stricter in 2026.

The businesses that acted early are already secure, compliant, and operating on modern platforms. The question isn't whether to upgrade — it's how quickly you can get it done.

How Synex Technology Can Help

At Synex Technology, we provide end-to-end support for your Windows 10 transition — from initial assessment through to ongoing management. Here's how we help Australian businesses like yours:

Technical Assessments

We analyse your current environment to determine which devices can be upgraded to Windows 11, which need replacing, and where ESU might serve as a short-term bridge. You'll get a clear picture of your upgrade readiness and a prioritised action plan.

Upgrade Planning & Deployment

From licensing and compatibility testing to rollout execution, we plan and implement your Windows 11 migration with minimal disruption to your team. We handle the complexity so your staff can keep working.

Device Procurement & Installation

We guide you in selecting the right devices for your business needs — from standard workstations to AI-ready Copilot+ PCs for high-demand environments. We leverage our supplier relationships to help you secure stock before availability tightens further.

Ongoing Support & Cybersecurity Advisory

We don't just upgrade and walk away. Synex provides ongoing managed IT support, cybersecurity monitoring, and compliance advisory — including alignment with the ACSC Essential Eight framework — to ensure your business stays protected, compliant, and future-ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Windows 10 PC stop working after support ends?

No. Your PC will continue to function normally. However, it will no longer receive security updates, making it increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks and non-compliant with most cybersecurity frameworks and insurance policies.

How much do Extended Security Updates (ESU) cost in Australia?

For Australian businesses, ESU starts at $105.60 AUD per device for Year 1, rising to $207.70 in Year 2 and $416.50 in Year 3. The total cost over three years is $729.80 per device. The programme is cumulative — you can't skip years.

Can my current hardware run Windows 11?

It depends. Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and a compatible processor. Globally, an estimated 240 million PCs don't meet these requirements. Synex can run a free compatibility assessment on your fleet to give you a clear answer.

What is the ACSC Essential Eight and how does it relate to Windows 10?

The Essential Eight is Australia's leading cybersecurity framework, developed by the Australian Signals Directorate. One of its eight controls requires organisations to patch operating system vulnerabilities promptly. Running an unsupported OS like Windows 10 is a direct non-compliance.

How long does a Windows 11 migration take for a business?

It varies depending on the size of your fleet, hardware compatibility, and application testing requirements. A typical small-to-medium business migration can be completed in 2–6 weeks with proper planning. Synex can provide a tailored timeline based on your environment.

Secure Your Business — Get Started Today

Don't let an unsupported operating system put your business at risk. Contact Synex Technology for a free consultation and discover how we can future-proof your IT environment.