How the End of Windows 10 Will Impact Small Businesses
There’s been a lot of online info about what the end of Windows 10 means for users, but very little about what this will mean for your business.
I’ve written a few articles about the end of Windows 10. In the most recent one, I suggested that one good option was to ditch Windows completely and switch to Linux, a completely different operating system. Well, that received a lot of comments, but it also let me know that business owners have many questions about Windows 10 and 11.
So, I thought I would share some of those questions with everyone, based on my own experience, not just personally, but also as a business owner and someone who provides tech support to small businesses. For my own business, I’m also evaluating all my options, and some of the decisions I’ve made may surprise you.
I will be careful to avoid difficult terms, and keep it light. So here are the questions I’ve received. I hope these will help answer your questions too.
What is this October Deadline that everyone is talking about?
Microsoft has announced that the company will no longer provide regular updates for Windows 10 computers after October 14th, 2025. They would like users to move to Windows 11, the new and current operating system.
Ordinarily, this would entail a simple upgrade. As was the case with previous version upgrade, Microsoft is making this upgrade free to all Windows 10 users to encourage them to upgrade. Unfortunately, this is only possible if your computer meets the much more stringent Windows 11 hardware requirements.
Therein lies the problem for many users. Many older computers simply do not meet Microsoft’s minimum requirements. This means that these computers will be out of date after October 14th. It is estimated that more than half of all Windows 10 computers will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11.
I use an Apple Mac. Do I have anything to worry about?
If you only use Mac software, then this is not an issue.
However, if you run Windows software in a virtual drive using Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion, then the situation is not so simple. If you have a newer Mac, it should be OK. All M-series chips are compatible with Windows 11 (you may need to check your About settings to see what chip you have).
However, older Intel-based Macs, any Macs from the G-series, and all older Macs are not supported. So, if you run Windows software on an older Mac – which is not uncommon in small businesses – then that software will only run Windows 10 and will be out of date after October 14th.
What options is Microsoft offering for owners of older computers?
Microsoft has suggested two options:
Replace the older computer with a new one that comes with Windows 11 pre-installed. This is what I also recommend above all other options. If you can expense it as a business cost, then this is the simplest solution.
Purchase a one-year service extension directly from Microsoft for $30 per computer. Note that this is intended as a temporary solution for businesses that have critical services they cannot migrate to Windows 11 immediately. It is not intended to be a permanent fix. I have ordered extensions for several clients. I also purchased an extension for one of my own systems that cannot be upgraded, but that runs software critical to my day-to-day operations.
What if I don’t do anything? What will happen?
The October 14 deadline isn’t like the Y2K deadline (for those who can remember that). Your old computer with Windows 10 will still start up as usual on Wednesday, October 15th. However, it does mean that slowly, over time, your computer will become more out of date.
After October 15th, the computer will cease to receive regular updates from Microsoft and eventually become completely obsolete. At first, this will not be noticeable. However, as time passes, software manufacturers will also stop updating their software, and these apps will also start to have glitches, errors, and things that stop working normally. It’s even possible that the application will cease to work completely. As with the software, any physical devices you plug into the computer will start to exhibit similar issues.
More importantly, the computer will increasingly be at risk of security issues, malware, and even hacking attempts. For example, you could become a victim of a ransomware attack or expose your files to unauthorized access by someone outside your business who takes advantage of the outdated software. Granted, the odds that this will happen are small, but not non-existent.
As a small business owner, you need to consider these risks more seriously. If your computer stores customer information that needs to remain private, then your business may have a liability risk. If you are a bookkeeper, public notary, medical transcriber, or financial advisor, you may have very strict compliance requirements that preclude even running an outdated computer.
Another thing to consider is that your computer is used for both business and personal work – this is always discouraged, but we all know that this is not unusual in small businesses. If there is a security breach, you would be exposing your personal files as well. If nothing else, just the fact that the computer is used for both business and personal things could be an embarrassment and liability.
For all these reasons, doing nothing is not a realistic option.
You mentioned that you had recommended Linux as an alternative to Windows. Is that a realistic option for a small business owner?
It can be, but this is a complicated question. For the sake of business continuity, your first choice should be to upgrade your computers, if you can. If that is not possible, then the second-best option would be to replace the computer that can’t be upgraded. If that is not an option either, then you could consider extended support. $30 is not a significant expense unless you have many computers. Only if you have exhausted all the other options, would I suggest considering Linux.
Linux can indeed run on almost any older computer. There is also no licensing expense and you can install it on as many computers as you like. There are also no forced upgrades every couple of years – some versions of Linux have 10-year licenses. This all sounds great, but this will entail significant changes in the software apps you use, what you will need to learn or re-learn, and how Linux integrates with your current business processes.
Choosing Linux is not a simple decision and should be planned out in conjunction with your specific business needs. Now, I have deployed Linux computers in my own business, for others, and also in small businesses. It is certainly possible. I think there is a lot of misinformation about Linux, especially in the media and online, so a measured approach is better.
If you do want to consider it, I would first direct you to the many online resources and YouTube videos that discuss this in greater detail (there are many). I would then suggest that you install it on an old computer that you can spare – remember it runs on almost anything. Try it out, see if it will work for you personally, first. Then, I would recommend working with a professional who can better direct you on how to proceed. Try to find someone who actually uses both Windows and Linux personally and who has experience using it in a hybrid Windows/Linux business setting.
OK, maybe I’ll just replace my computers. So where can I get these? Should I just go to Best Buy, Walmart, or Office Depot?
I believe it is better to purchase from the three big vendors: HP, Dell, and Lenovo, directly. Their websites offer more options, greater detail, and they will ensure that you purchase a new computer with a warranty and a genuine license of Windows 11. I say this because there are many scams out there that are playing on fear and uncertainty – beware of those that offer lower prices than retail. Purchasing from one of the big three manufacturers directly will offer peace of mind; it will also include replacement advice, recycling options, and installation help.
This is not to say that Best Buy, Walmart, and Office Depot won’t have good computers with support, but the choices are typically more limited to the inventory on hand. While there will likely be some great deals as we get closer to the holidays, note that often these sale items are the previous year’s models that they need to offload.
I read that this decision by Microsoft to terminate Windows 10 will have a significant environmental impact. Why is that?
The concern from environmental groups is that all the old computers that are not capable of running Windows 11 will be discarded in much larger numbers because of Microsoft’s absolute deadline. The fear is that many of these computers will likely end up in landfills, although the alarm may be overblown. I do believe that many people will simply hold onto those older computers (maybe even to try installing Linux?).
However, the real issue is that larger businesses and corporations have already started dumping computers in mass. Indeed, there has been a marked increase in the number of online sales of large lots of old computers. There have also been noted backlogs at recycling centers, and this glut will likely become even more acute after October 14th.
Not to toot my own horn, but I offer upcycling and recycling services as part of my own business. If you are looking to unload smaller lots of older computers and you live in Orange County, CA, then I can take these off your hands. Anyhow, it’s a bit off topic, but if have computers to dispose of, you can contact me at Michael@BusinessOwnerStories.com.
Some final thoughts
I sincerely hope that this Q&A has answered some of your questions, especially as they relate to small businesses. Honestly, I think that Microsoft chose an especially difficult time to force this upgrade on Windows users.
Many economists and industry observers, including analysts at Microsoft, hope that this forced Windows 11 upgrade will stimulate business in the PC market. While it undoubtedly will, it is another expense that ordinary people and small business owners will bear the brunt of. I just don’t know if this will have the positive economic impact these experts believe it will have.
The other possibility is that the Windows 11 upgrade generates tremendous animosity towards Microsoft, the Windows operating system, and the computer industry in general. If so, this is most certainly not the best time for this to happen. I just don’t know if the public is going to accept this on top of everything else that is happening around us.
Of course, I could be wrong. Perhaps this Windows upgrade cycle will pass without much fanfare, and it will be business as usual. We’ll need to wait and see…
