Still on Windows 10? Why Not Upgrading is a Serious Security Risk for Businesses

Christopher Souza | CEO

As of October 2025, Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10, ending any new security updates, patches, or protection against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Despite this, millions of systems are still running on outdated software, presenting a considerable direct and indirect risk to organizations like yours. With extended support available ending on October 13, 2026, now is the time to take action to update these imminently vulnerable systems.

Why So Many Systems Still Haven’t Upgraded

Windows 11 adoption worldwide has lagged far behind expectations, but now those decisions are carrying real consequences especially for organizations trying to maintain highly secure environments and with regulatory compliance obligations. The reasons for these delays vary, but based on what we’ve experienced at TSI and what we’ve heard throughout the industry, they include but are not limited to the following factors:

1. Hardware limitations
   Windows 11 requires newer processors, TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module), and modern security features. Many existing systems simply do not meet those requirements.
   
2. Legacy application dependencies
   Critical business applications are not always validated for Windows 11. Organizations chose to delay rather than risk operational disruption.
3. Operational complexity
   Large-scale upgrades take planning, internal coordination, and time. Without a structured approach, the project gets pushed aside.
4. Overreliance on basic protections
   Many environments relied on antivirus and firewall tools as a safety net. Those tools still matter, but they do not compensate for an unsupported operating system.

What Staying on Windows 10 Means Now

One of the biggest concerns with running Windows 10 today means operating without vendor-backed security updates which makes any new vulnerabilities discovered after October 2025’s support deadline, an active threat to those environments. In addition to this, there are numerous applications that have stopped patching versions running on Windows 10 – including other End of Life Operating systems- so not only is the OS vulnerable, so are many critical applications.

Despite all this, there are still steps that can be taken to mitigate risks. Systems should be fully patched to their last available updates, automatic updates should be enabled before end of support, and endpoint protection tools should be implemented, managed and actively monitored.

For organizations not quite ready to upgrade their systems, they can setup private VLANs to separate systems from accessing the internet, especially if they’re legacy systems or contain highly sensitive or operationally critical assets.

But as we’ve reiterated many times, end user behavior and implementing a strong culture around cybersecurity training is absolutely critical in this scenario – especially when outdated legacy systems reside on the network. As phishing attempts, malicious downloads, and fake update prompts increase, these temporary measures won’t eliminate these threats, but at the very least help reduce exposure and mitigate risk.

The Threat Environment Has Intensified

As geopolitical tensions rise, the risk of outdated tech becomes more apparent and impactful, with numerous security analysts reporting increased cyber activity from Iranian-linked threat actors targeting the United States and allied organizations. These hackers are known for scanning systems for weak entry points, and outdated, unpatched systems are easy prime targets. Their cyber operations now tend to expand beyond government targets and are targeting private businesses, especially those without strong security measures. These organizations far too often become opportunistic targets for DDoS, phishing, and other exploitive tactics that cost organizations billions each year and compromise the country’s overall security posture. Unfortunately, these threat actors know that a Windows 10 machine is a vulnerable target because of its limited capabilities and will continue to exploit those vulnerabilities until further action is taken.

What Windows 11 Changes

Moving to Windows 11 is not just about staying current, but about implementing solutions addressing exploitable gaps which we’ve highlighted below:

• TPM 2.0 stores encryption keys and sensitive credentials in a secure, isolated chip on the device. This prevents attackers from easily extracting passwords, certificates, or BitLocker keys even if they gain access to the system. Without TPM, those assets are more exposed to theft during breaches.

• Secure Boot ensures that only trusted, signed software loads during startup. This blocks rootkits and boot-level malware that attempt to load before the operating system and operate undetected.

• Virtualization-based security (VBS) and Credential Guard isolate critical processes like authentication in a protected memory space. Even if malware compromises the system, it cannot easily access stored credentials or escalate privileges.

• Hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI) prevents unauthorized or malicious code from running in kernel mode. This directly reduces the risk of driver-based attacks, which are commonly used in ransomware and advanced intrusions.

Together, these controls force attackers to work harder and techniques that were effective against older systems, such as dumping credentials from memory or injecting malicious drivers, are significantly less reliable.

There is also a compliance side to this, especially in regard to frameworks like NIST 800-171/CMMC which require organizations to use supported systems with strong baseline protections. Running Windows 11 helps meet those obligations, while staying on an unsupported operating system can create immediate gaps during audits or assessments

Contact TSI Today! Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

We understand that upgrading your outdated systems is a considerable undertaking and there are a number of situations that may contribute to delays. Unfortunately, doing nothing isn’t an option and you should be planning these upgrades today.  If you are still running Windows 10, or if you are unsure what systems in your environment are affected, please reach out to TSI- we’re here to help! Contact us today to schedule a system review and close the gaps before they’re exploited.

About Technical Support International

TSI is 37-year old cybersecurity (MSSP) and IT support (MSP) company specializing in helping DIB organizations address their NIST 800-171 and CMMC compliance obligations. As a CMMC-AB Registered Provider Organization (RPO), TSI offers a complete NIST 800-171 and CMMC support solution to help guide our clients toward a successful certification audit and provide the assurance that they’re adhering to these expansive compliance requirements.