Urgent Windows 10 Migration: NCSC Warns of Cyber Risks Ahead of 2025 End-of-Support

With an authoritative warning echoing throughout the cybersecurity and IT landscapes, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has recently called on enterprises to urgently transition away from Windows 10, marking a pivotal shift in operational and risk-management strategies for businesses large and small. As Microsoft sets the end-of-support (EOS) deadline for Windows 10 for October 2025, the implications for remaining on this decade-old operating system extend far beyond lost features or cosmetic updates—they harbor genuine cyber risk, regulatory concerns, and operational liabilities that organizations can no longer afford to ignore.

Why the NCSC is Calling Time on Windows 10​

The NCSC’s advisory is far from an isolated voice. Regulatory bodies globally have long sounded alarm bells on the dangers inherent in running unsupported software. Yet, coming from the UK’s premier cybersecurity authority, the message carries added weight: “Not upgrading is akin to incurring a debt at a high interest rate – with the threat of forced repayment at a future date,” emphasized Ollie Whitehouse, the NCSC’s chief technical officer, in his blog post. This analogy is particularly apt considering the security lifecycle of modern enterprise IT; delaying action now could lead to catastrophic consequences later, potentially resulting in expensive and disruptive emergency upgrades or, worse, data breaches and compliance penalties.
The rationale for this urgent warning is rooted in documented history. The end-of-support for Windows XP serves as a grim reminder: once Microsoft stopped issuing security updates, vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer 6-11 were exploited by cybercriminals with impunity, resulting in countless security incidents within laggard organizations. The NCSC points to this as a textbook case underscoring what’s at stake: unsupported operating systems do not receive patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities; they quickly become low-hanging fruit for attackers.

The October 2025 Deadline—What Does End-of-Support Actually Mean?​

Windows 10, released in 2015 and still widely used in the enterprise, will no longer be serviced with critical fixes or feature improvements beyond October 2025. For any organization considering the risks, EOS is not a mere technical term—it translates into a cessation of security and bug fixes across the board, including for critical infrastructure components such as the Windows kernel, drivers, and integrated applications.
Here are the most pressing issues that arise post-EOS:

• Unpatched vulnerabilities: Any newly discovered bugs will not be fixed by Microsoft, leaving systems perpetually exposed.
• Compliance impacts: Regulatory frameworks including GDPR, HIPAA, and industry-specific controls mandate security best practices, often requiring current and supported software. Businesses running obsolete operating systems risk falling out of compliance, incurring fines or loss of customer trust.
• Vendor support: Hardware and software vendors typically stop supporting outdated operating systems soon after the OS vendor does, compounding security and compatibility issues.
• Operational risk: Increased likelihood of downtime from malware, ransomware, or system failures that can cripple a business.

The Security Case for Moving to Windows 11​

Windows 11 isn't just a cosmetic upgrade; it comes bundled with critical security enhancements and architectural changes designed to address today’s threat landscape head-on. Notable improvements include:

• TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): This hardware-based security feature enables advanced cryptographic operations, such as device encryption and secure key storage, out of reach for many attacks that exploit software vulnerabilities.
• UEFI and Secure Boot: These modern boot technologies help prevent rootkits and boot-level malware, fortifying the OS during startup—a known weakness in older platforms.
• Virtualization-based security (VBS): A significant leap forward, VBS elevates isolation routines, securing memory and sensitive system components from unauthorized alterations by attackers.

Windows 11 also offers the latest defenses against phishing, ransomware, zero-days, and other advanced persistent threats (APTs), leveraging cloud-based analytics and frequent security updates that reflect constantly evolving adversarial techniques.

Barriers to Migration: Hardware Requirements and e-Waste Concerns​

One of the central obstacles organizations face in upgrading to Windows 11 is complying with its new baseline hardware requirements. Devices must support TPM 2.0, UEFI, and Secure Boot, among other specifications—a tall order for enterprises operating sizable fleets of computers purchased before 2018.
These hardline requirements naturally lead to a critical pain point: hardware obsolescence. According to research from Canalys, as many as 240 million PCs worldwide could lose eligibility for Windows 11, potentially driving a tidal wave of electronic waste as older devices are scrapped. Environmental responsibility, cost implications, and logistics converge here, presenting organizations with a complex migration puzzle.

Environmental Angle: The E-Waste Dilemma​

The specter of millions of decommissioned devices is not to be underestimated. Many organizations, particularly in the public sector or in developing economies, face both budgetary and ethical considerations when replacing hardware. While recycling initiatives exist, the reality is that much of this hardware may ultimately end up in landfills, highlighting a need for greater industry-wide push towards recycling, donation programs, or creative re-purposing.

Cost Considerations​

For IT leaders, the capital expenditure required for a wholesale hardware refresh is daunting, especially around global economic uncertainty. Yet, as cybersecurity experts routinely remind us, the price of a breach or business interruption vastly exceeds the upfront cost of a timely upgrade. Factor in possible insurance implications and reputational damage, and the equation becomes clearer: delay only raises the stakes.

The Practical Path: Migration Guidance and Security Hardening​

Understanding these challenges, the NCSC has supplemented its advisory with updated configuration packs for Microsoft Windows, aiming to streamline and secure the rollout process. These packs offer recommended group policies and other configuration templates, helping organizations—from SMBs to large enterprises—rapidly deploy secure baselines across their device fleet.
Some key areas addressed in NCSC’s migration materials include:

• Account and access controls: Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), limiting administrative privileges, and enforcing strong password policies.
• Patch and update management: Ensuring devices receive updates automatically from trusted sources, minimizing patch gaps.
• Network segmentation and firewall configuration: Reducing the attack surface by isolating critical servers and restricting unnecessary inbound/outbound traffic.
• Application whitelisting and macro controls: Preventing the execution of unsigned or risky code, a major vector for ransomware and phishing campaigns.

NCSC also reinforces the significance of integrating these security recommendations with Cyber Essentials, the UK’s widely-adopted security certification for businesses, which requires organizations to maintain all systems on supported software. Failing to comply could affect eligibility for certain contracts and insurance policies.

What Organizations Still on Windows 10 Must Do Now​

To avoid falling into the support gap that follows October 2025, organizations still dependent on Windows 10 must launch structured migration plans. Here’s a condensed checklist for IT leaders and CISOs:

1. Audit the Inventory​

• Catalog every system running Windows 10 or earlier across the enterprise.
• Identify dependencies on non-compatible hardware or applications.

2. Engage Stakeholders​

• Involve department heads, finance decision-makers, and end users.
• Explain the dual imperatives: security necessity vs. operational continuity.

3. Plan and Budget for Refreshes​

• Start procurement of new, compliant systems where needed.
• Explore options, such as device-as-a-service or bulk discounts, to alleviate upfront costs.

4. User Training and Change Management​

• Roll out training programs for staff transitioning to Windows 11; usability changes, new features, and security functionality should be covered.
• Offer support channels and structured feedback loops to minimize productivity dips.

5. Transitional Security Measures​

• For legacy systems that cannot be replaced before EOS, enforce sandboxing and network isolation.
• Work with vendors to acquire extended security updates (ESU) where available, though these are intended as a temporary stopgap, not a long-term solution.

Counterpoint: Are There Viable Alternatives?​

Some experts note that not every organization will be able to shift entirely to Windows 11 by the deadline. There are, however, possible interim measures:

• Extended Security Updates (ESU): Microsoft typically offers paid ESU for critical environments, though at significant additional cost and for a limited period.
• Migration to other platforms: For specialized environments, Linux or cloud-based virtual desktops may provide stopgap options, though these entail their own technical and operational challenges.
• Application virtualization and remote desktop solutions: These might allow older devices to connect securely to modern operating environments without storing sensitive data locally.

Each of these comes with tradeoffs. ESUs are a costly band-aid, migration to non-Windows platforms entails application and user retraining, and virtualization may only suit certain use cases.

The Bigger Picture: Windows Lifecycle and the Cloud​

Microsoft’s push away from aging operating systems is also inextricably linked with its broader cloud-first strategy. Windows 11, already designed with tight integration into Azure and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, sets the foundation for hybrid working, zero-trust security architectures, and AI-powered endpoint management. The direction is clear: lower operational friction, lift security baselines, and drive innovation through cloud-enabled features.
The end-of-life process for Windows 10 is also an object lesson in vendor-driven technology cycles. Organizations entrenched in legacy systems are now bearing the cost of delayed modernization. IT leaders in regulated sectors or critical national infrastructure increasingly see lifecycle planning and periodic hardware refreshes not as optional but as imperative in risk management.

Critical Analysis: Assessing Risks, Benefits, and the Road Ahead​

Notable Strengths in Mandating Change​

• Improved Baseline Security: The move to Windows 11 instantly raises the security baseline across enterprises, reducing exposure to known exploits.
• Alignment With Compliance Requirements: Staying on a supported platform is foundational to most cybersecurity and data privacy regimes globally.
• Operational Resilience: Access to the latest support, features, and security technology enhances organizational robustness in a fast-changing threat landscape.

Potential Risks and Downsides​

• Cost and Accessibility: The financial burden of hardware upgrade programs will disproportionately impact small to mid-size enterprises and public sector bodies.
• E-Waste and Sustainability: The wave of obsolete devices poses a real environmental challenge, urging stakeholders to consider recycling and sustainable procurement.
• Compatibility and User Disruption: Legacy applications or bespoke systems may not be immediately compatible with Windows 11, introducing operational headaches and possible service interruptions during migration.
• Temporary Security Exposure: Organizations unable to migrate in time will face a period of heightened risk, potentially reliant on expensive ESUs or third-party compensating controls.

Recommendations for Policy and Industry​

• Governments and industry bodies should accelerate grant programs or tax incentives for sustainable hardware refresh cycles, especially targeting SMBs and public institutions.
• Microsoft and OEMs are urged to continue investing in backward compatibility, while promoting best-in-class recycling programs for retired hardware.
• Security leaders must look beyond compliance to real-world risk modeling—prioritizing resources on the most exposed assets and ensuring rapid isolation protocols for out-of-support systems.

Conclusion: Prepare Now, Migrate Early​

The NCSC’s latest advisory is both a warning and an opportunity—a forceful reminder that digital infrastructure, like its physical counterpart, requires periodic renewal and proactive stewardship. With cyber threats growing in sophistication and frequency, continued reliance on unsupported software equates to ceding ground to adversaries and elevating organizational risk from both technical and regulatory standpoints.
Enterprises must heed the call not just to avoid the fate that befell Windows XP adopters, but to build cyber resilience fit for the future. Early planning and structured execution will pay dividends in avoided breaches, compliance headaches, and disrupted operations. As October 2025 looms, the moment to act decisively is now—because in cybersecurity, the cost of inaction far exceeds the pain of proactive change.

---

Source: IT Pro The NCSC just urged enterprises to ditch Windows 10 – here’s what you need to know