Urgent Windows 10 Support End: Why Upgrading to Windows 11 is Critical for Security in 2025

With the looming end of Windows 10 support, Microsoft Korea is intensifying its campaign, urging organizations and individual users to make the leap to Windows 11. This isn’t just a routine upgrade advisory: Microsoft is framing this as a time-sensitive security imperative, one tied to a decisive change in its product lifecycle that will have long-term repercussions for countless devices in Korea and beyond.

The End of Windows 10 Era: A Critical Deadline​

Microsoft officially declared that technical support for Windows 10 will terminate on October 14, 2025. That means, beyond this date, users will no longer receive security updates or technical fixes—exposing networks, devices, and sensitive data to a rapidly expanding universe of cyber threats. This “end-of-support” moment is not novel in Microsoft’s history, but the security context of 2025 is markedly more complex than when Windows 7 support ended back in 2020.

What Does End of Support Mean for Users?​

Without regular patches, any newly discovered vulnerabilities will remain open doors for attackers. As threat actors become more sophisticated, unpatched Windows systems are increasingly susceptible targets—for malware, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats that probe every possible weak point. The cost of a single breach can far outstrip the perceived savings of running an outdated OS.

Korea MS Leads the Charge for the Windows 11 Transition​

Recognizing the urgency, Microsoft Korea has launched a “Windows 11 transition support” initiative. They’re not merely encouraging migration in isolation but providing structured guidance to customers during this pivotal “golden time.” In a statement, Son Hyun-gak, category lead for Windows & Microsoft 365 in Southeast Asia, India, and Korea, underscored the rationale behind this push: Windows 11 was designed “with security as the top priority from the development stage.”

Security as the Central Pillar of Windows 11​

At the heart of Microsoft’s recommendation are several unique, hardware-enabled security advancements in Windows 11:

• TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): A dedicated chip soldered onto the motherboard, TPM 2.0 ensures robust hardware-level security, safeguarding cryptographic keys, user credentials, and sensitive system data. It acts as a hardware “root of trust” that underpins many of Windows 11’s advanced protections.
• Virtualization-Based Security (VBS): By isolating critical parts of the operating system via hardware-assisted virtualization, VBS can prevent even high-privilege exploits from accessing protected process memory. This tech is especially effective against credential theft and advanced code injection attacks.
• Block List for Vulnerable Drivers: Device drivers have historically been a major target for attackers seeking kernel-level access. Windows 11 ramps up driver security by maintaining and enforcing a block list of vulnerable or malicious drivers, thereby protecting the system at a foundational level.

Microsoft claims that Windows 11 users see a 62% reduction in security incident rates compared to Windows 10, with firmware attacks falling to just a third of their previous levels. These numbers are not isolated hype; they echo independent studies and analyses conducted by cybersecurity firms over the past year, which have corroborated the stronger default security posture of Windows 11 enterprise deployments. However, the actual security achievement will depend on organizations’ patch management rigor and device compliance with hardware requirements.

Copilot+ PC: The AI-Powered, Security-First Experience​

The Windows 11 upgrade is occurring alongside Microsoft’s push for a new generation of devices branded “Copilot+ PC.” Copilot+ PC is not just about hardware refreshes but a wholesale integration of AI acceleration and security functions, promising “the most reliable digital experience for next-generation operating systems.”

Microsoft Pluton Security Processor and Device Integrity​

Copilot+ PCs arrive with the Microsoft Pluton security processor embedded directly onto the CPU die. Originally developed for Xbox and Azure Sphere, Pluton protects critical assets like credentials, identities, and encryption keys inside a secure hardware boundary, immune to attacks even if attackers gain physical access to the machine. Combined with Windows 11’s memory integrity features and security core PC standards, this architecture minimizes attack surfaces and makes persistent threats far more difficult to maintain on modern endpoints.

Enhanced Login Security with Windows Hello​

In parallel, biometric security is becoming a default expectation. Windows Hello, Microsoft’s passwordless authentication system, leverages facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or PIN codes stored locally—not on the server—to defeat credential theft attempts and phishing schemes. On Windows 11, Hello is integrated at a deeper kernel level, working in lockstep with TPM and Pluton hardware modules for multi-layered defense.

Comparing Windows 10 and Windows 11 Security: Quantitative and Qualitative Shifts​

Security Incident Rate: 62% Lower on Windows 11​

Microsoft reports that the raw security incident rate is 62% lower for users of Windows 11 than for Windows 10. This statistic aligns with longitudinal analyses by security consultancies, which found that the aggressive default configuration and restricted driver model for Windows 11 cut down common malware vectors.

Threefold Drop in Firmware Attacks​

Firmware-level threats—often exploited by sophisticated state-sponsored actors—are dramatically reduced on Windows 11. Microsoft attributes this improvement mainly to the “Secured-core” device standard and the routine use of hardware root-of-trust anchors like TPM 2.0.

Secure Boot and Driver Integrity​

Windows 11 enforces Secure Boot and promotes a stricter driver-signing regime. The OS blocks the installation or execution of blacklisted drivers, a security feature that particularly benefits enterprise fleets often targeted by sophisticated kernel-mode attacks.

The “Golden Time” for Transition: Why Now?​

Microsoft Korea’s message is unambiguous: the period leading up to Windows 10’s end-of-support date constitutes a “golden time” for proactive systems migration. Enterprises and consumers who delay risk a difficult, frantic scramble once legacy support is withdrawn.

Risks of Delayed Upgrades​

• Increased Exposure to Zero-Day Exploits: Legacy platforms become magnets for attackers, with exploit kits specifically targeting expired systems.
• Compliance Failures: For businesses in regulated sectors (finance, healthcare, government), running unsupported systems can lead to immediate audit failures, financial penalties, and reputational loss.
• Operational Disruptions: The post-deadline rush often results in poorly managed migrations, downtime, and data loss. Early adopters, on the other hand, gain time for thorough testing and training.

Migration Considerations: Not Just Copy-and-Paste​

For organizations planning the transition, it’s crucial to treat the upgrade as a comprehensive project—not merely a software refresh. Factors to consider include:

• Hardware Compatibility: Windows 11’s minimum requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, supported CPUs) mean that some existing PCs cannot upgrade in-place. Organizations must audit fleets and plan hardware refresh cycles accordingly.
• Application Compatibility: While Microsoft maintains impressive backward compatibility, organizations should still test line-of-business apps for any subtle issues stemming from tightened OS security restrictions.
• User Training: Windows 11 introduces several user interface changes, including new Start menu layouts and enhanced multi-window management. End-users will need onboarding to maximize productivity.
• Licensing: Companies must review their current Microsoft agreements, as certain upgrades may entail licensing changes, especially for organizations transitioning to Windows 365 or Azure-based environments.

Strategic Role of Copilot+ AI and the Modern Security Stack​

One of Microsoft’s most significant bets with its “Copilot+ PC” branding is the integration of AI-powered productivity and security features at the hardware level. Copilot+ PCs come equipped with NPUs (Neural Processing Units), accelerating real-time threat detection, anomaly analysis, and automated recovery. This allows for endpoint monitoring and remediation approaches previously feasible only in specialized, high-budget environments.

Memory Integrity and Security-core Standards​

Memory integrity, sometimes referred to as Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI), is made standard on Copilot+ PCs. This prevents attackers from injecting malicious code into high-privilege system processes—even if they somehow bypass initial defenses. The broader “security-core PC” framework provides device makers with a security baseline, verified by Microsoft, encompassing everything from firmware integrity to boot-time verification.

Copilot: More Than a Virtual Assistant​

Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs leverages Microsoft’s AI Copilot not just for productivity (summarizing documents, drafting emails) but for actively monitoring for social engineering attempts, phishing vectors, and potential malware payloads embedded in user workflows. The blending of productivity AI with real-time security signals is positioned as a unique selling point that rivals like Apple and Google are only beginning to approach with their respective platforms.

The Global and Korean Context: An IT Inflection Point​

South Korea’s enterprise and public sector have a longstanding history of early technology adoption. Nevertheless, a significant portion of legacy infrastructure on-premises is still dependent on Windows 10, especially in heavily-regulated sectors such as finance and public administration.
Microsoft Korea's “system reestablishment” push reflects a broader strategic recalibration. The timing—just over a year ahead of the Windows 10 sunset—is intended to maximize preparedness and minimize disruption. Guidance documents circulated among partners detail step-by-step checklists, hardware audit tools, and enterprise deployment blueprints, aimed at making the migration as seamless as possible.

Critical Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Potential Risks​

Strengths​

• Substantially Hardened Security Posture: From firmware-level protections and credential isolation to aggressive driver management, Windows 11 represents a leap forward for endpoint security.
• Comprehensive Hardware-Software Integration: The Copilot+ initiative ensures that new hardware is built from the ground up for the security and productivity demands of a mixed-AI future.
• Standardized, Automated Security Enforcement: Default enablement of key protections reduces dependency on variable IT administration practices, helping less-resourced organizations stay protected.
• Rich Ecosystem Support: Windows 11 has seen rapid adoption from major OEMs, ISVs, and peripheral manufacturers, ensuring broad compatibility and strong update channel support.

Weaknesses and Risks​

• Legacy Device Exclusion: Strict minimum requirements mean many existing PCs, still functional but without TPM 2.0 or current CPUs, are ineligible for a direct upgrade. This disproportionately impacts smaller businesses and institutions with longer hardware refresh cycles.
• Applicability for Edge Cases: Specialized environments (e.g., industrial control systems, legacy medical devices) may face complex compatibility challenges. For these users, extended support or isolation strategies may be necessary until suitable migration paths emerge.
• Training and Familiarity Costs: The user interface changes and new productivity workflows, while advantageous in the long run, will incur short-term productivity hits as users acclimate.
• Potential for Overpromising on AI Integration: While Copilot+ PCs hold real promise, some AI-driven features—such as real-time threat analysis—are subject to the maturity of Microsoft’s cloud intelligence and could lag during initial rollouts, particularly for Korean-language or region-specific use cases.
• Economic Pressure: The combined need for OS and hardware upgrades can pose budgetary challenges for organizations already facing IT cost pressures.

Future Directions: What Comes After Windows 11?​

Microsoft’s aggressive push for Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs is signaling a new cadence for platform innovation. With AI and security now equally weighted in the operating system’s roadmap, the boundaries between local processing, cloud services, and endpoint integrity will blur further.
Given Microsoft’s emphasis on AI-driven “copilot” experiences, it is likely that security and productivity enhancements will become increasingly self-maintaining, shifting the user’s role from routine maintenance to oversight and exception management. However, as with every inflection point in IT history, adoption will be uneven, and the trailing edge of legacy systems may continue to present risks even years after Windows 10’s final patch.

Conclusion: Urgency Meets Opportunity​

The Windows 10 era, defined by hybrid work revolutions and a decade-long cadence of incremental security improvements, is ending. For users in Korea—and worldwide—this “golden time” for migration to Windows 11 is a window of both risk and opportunity. Those who heed Microsoft’s call and plan their transitions proactively will not only avoid the pitfalls of unsupported systems but will also benefit from a fundamentally more secure, agile, and intelligent computing foundation.
Still, the journey is not without its hurdles. Hardware constraints, compatibility demands, and economic considerations will test the resilience of many organizations. The coming months will be a proving ground for IT leaders, policymakers, and even home users as they balance the promise of Copilot+ productivity with the very real demands of robust cybersecurity.
As the October 2025 deadline approaches, one message rings clear: the time to prepare is now. Waiting until after support ends will only compound risk and cost. For responsible organizations and vigilant consumers alike, the Windows 11 upgrade path, fortified by new security and AI capabilities, represents not just a technical necessity—but a strategic imperative for the modern era.

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Source: Chosunbiz Korea MS urges Windows 10 users to transition to Windows 11 as support ends