End of Support for Windows 10
Per what we’ve discussed in previous newsletters and blog articles on our site, this is our final reminder: Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. In line with Microsoft, Makios will no longer provide support for any Windows 10 devices that have not been upgraded to Windows 11, or enrolled in ESU for extended updates.
Can you even upgrade?
The first stop is checking IF you can upgrade and you can do that by following this link:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11#pchealthcheck
What this means for your business
Devices still running Windows 10 without Extended Security Updates (ESU) are unprotected from new cyber threats. Unsupported systems create serious risks: security breaches, compliance violations, and potential downtime.
It is essential to note that after October 14, Makios will no longer be liable for the support of Windows 10 devices that have not been upgraded or are not covered under ESU.
Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11 (Recommended)
Many Windows 10 devices are eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11 under their existing Microsoft licensing. Makios can check this for you and run the upgrade process on your systems. This is often the easiest and most cost-effective path forward since it removes the need for temporary ESU coverage. Costs are tied only to the time it takes us to finalize the upgrade and handle any issues that may arise.
Please keep in mind that
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not all hardware is capable of running Windows 11
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, regardless of the license. To check if your computer is capable, please ask our Client Services Team (CST) to verify for you. Please do not call in a ticket for this, as our support team will not accept such tickets since they are not considered support but considered part of Strategy & Planning.
It is important to note:
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Updates are part of your support contract with Makios, but upgrades are not, which this is considered.
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Issues that appear after an upgrade are mostly minor and likely covered by an existing management or support agreement, if you are using Makios Cloud Management for IT. Larger or unexpected issues may require additional billable time and will be reviewed and are based on a per case and individual situation.
Option 2: Enroll in ESU (Temporary Fix)
If an immediate upgrade is not possible, ESU (Extended Security Updates) is Microsoft’s temporary “safety net” for Windows 10. It keeps systems patched while you plan for replacement or upgrade.
Costs for ESU Enrollment (for domain-based systems):
Setup & Configuration Fee: $600 to $1,200 one-time to prepare your company environment for ESU licensing. This cost is a one-time cost and not per user or computer. We need to make changes to the servers in order for them to be able to talk to the Microsoft licensing systems and involves creating a secure connection between your network and Microsoft so that the ESU licensing authentication can work efficiently. Without this connection, your systems would fail to receive ESU updates, leaving them exposed even though you paid for coverage.
If we encounter significant configuration challenges, the cost can increase to $1,200 but we expect that most of our clients will only require a small block of time to make these adjustments.
Annual ESU Licensing: $61 per computer (same price Microsoft charges), billed yearly.
This ensures your Windows 10 systems continue receiving security updates through ESU until October 2026, giving you time to make the necessary changes and/or plans.
That said, ESU only makes sense if the computer itself is still within its useful lifespan. Otherwise, you risk paying for ESU only to face the same problem again when the hardware ages out of support for newer operating systems. Carefully evaluate whether it is worth “kicking the can down the road” or whether replacement is the smarter, longer-term investment.
Why you must act now
Maybe ten years ago, running on an older system for a bit longer could be considered OK and going to the latest version a “nice-to-do” or “nice-to-have” upgrade. However, in the cybersecurity landscape we live in today, taking action is absolutely necessary. Waiting is no longer an option.
Everyone is affected by this change, so demand for computers is spiking. Low supply and high demand mean shortages and higher costs for replacement systems. Acting early ensures you have options, before availability becomes a bigger problem.
Many of our clients have already taken action and are well on their way to being compliant. If you are receiving this message, it means you still have work to do in your environment.
Makios is not a company with a team of 100 people standing by. The longer you wait, the busier the schedule will get. If you wait until October or even the last few weeks, you are already behind the curve and may not get scheduled in time.
Contact us today at (915) 242-6800 or reply to this email to schedule your Windows 11 upgrade or ESU enrollment. Failure to act leaves your business exposed and without support.
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Please note: Fees in this article are subject to change as unforeseen situations arise, or we deal with specific issues along the way that were not accounted for at the time of us writing this article.
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