Windows 10 End of Life: Your Migration Options - Upgrade, Replace, or...?
Welcome back to the second part of our series on the upcoming end of support for Windows 10. In our first post, we highlighted the crucial need for UK businesses to prepare for this transition before the OCTOBER 14, 2025 deadline, especially with CYBER ESSENTIALS in mind. If you missed part one, you can catch it here. Now, let's delve into the practicalities: what are your options for moving forward?
Essentially, you have a few key paths to consider: upgrading your existing devices to Windows 11, investing in new hardware, or leveraging cloud computing solutions for some or all of your needs.
Do You Even Know All Your Windows 10 Devices? The Importance of an Asset Register (and Cyber Essentials!)
Before we dive into upgrade paths, let's ask a fundamental question: are you completely sure about the number and location of all your devices currently running Windows 10? Surprisingly, many businesses lack a comprehensive IT asset register.
MAINTAINING AN ACCURATE ASSET REGISTER IS A CORNERSTONE OF THE CYBER ESSENTIALS FRAMEWORK. It's crucial for understanding your IT landscape, identifying potential vulnerabilities (like outdated operating systems!), and effectively managing your security risks. Without a clear picture of your assets, planning a migration away from Windows 10 becomes significantly more challenging.
WORKING WITH AN IT PARTNER LIKE VIENDO PROVIDES YOU WITH THE TOOLS AND EXPERTISE TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A COMPREHENSIVE IT ASSET REGISTER. We can help you identify all your hardware and software, including those running Windows 10, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the scope of your migration project. This not only simplifies the upgrade process but also lays a solid foundation for achieving and maintaining your CYBER ESSENTIALS certification.
Option 1: The Upgrade Path to Windows 11
For devices identified in your asset register that meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 (which you can check using the Microsoft PC Health Check app), this can be a relatively smooth process. Windows 11 offers enhanced security features, a more modern user interface, and continued support from Microsoft, all of which align well with CYBER ESSENTIALS best practices. Plus, for eligible devices, the upgrade is often free.
The Not-So-Good: Not all older hardware will be compatible with Windows 11. Attempting to run it on unsupported devices can lead to performance issues and instability. Thorough compatibility checks (which we can assist with as part of your asset register analysis) are crucial.
Option 2: Investing in New Hardware
For devices identified in your asset register that aren't compatible with Windows 11, or if your current hardware is nearing the end of its lifespan anyway, purchasing new PCs and laptops is a sensible route. As a proud LENOVO PARTNER, Viendo can offer your business access to a wide range of reliable and high-performing devices that come ready for Windows 11.
The Good (with Lenovo): New LENOVO hardware will offer optimal performance, the latest features, and guaranteed compatibility with Windows 11. This ensures a smooth user experience and a future-proofed IT infrastructure that supports your security goals and CYBER ESSENTIALS requirements. Plus, LENOVO'S business-grade devices are known for their reliability and security features.
A Word of Warning: Hardware Lead Times and the Refresh Cycle
Here's a crucial point to consider: the end-of-life announcement for Windows 10 is likely to trigger a significant surge in demand for new hardware as businesses across the globe scramble to upgrade. THIS SUDDEN RUSH COULD LEAD TO EXTENDED LEAD TIMES FOR NEW DEVICES, INCLUDING THOSE FROM TRUSTED PARTNERS LIKE LENOVO.
Furthermore, let's not forget that we're now roughly three years on from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, many businesses may have delayed their usual device refresh cycles. As a result, we anticipate a CONSIDERABLE UPTAKE IN DEVICE REPLACEMENTS in the coming year or two, compounding the potential strain on hardware supply chains. ACTING EARLY, ESPECIALLY ONCE YOU HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR ASSETS WITH VIENDO'S HELP AND ARE CONSIDERING NEW LENOVO DEVICES, IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Option 3: Leveraging Cloud Computing with IONOS
Another increasingly viable option, particularly for businesses looking for flexibility and potentially reducing the need for extensive on-premises hardware, is to leverage cloud computing. As a partner with leading cloud providers like IONOS, Viendo can help you explore solutions where applications and data are hosted in the cloud, potentially reducing your reliance on local Windows 11 upgrades for every device. Knowing your current on-premises assets is still important when considering a cloud migration strategy.
The Good (with IONOS): Cloud solutions from IONOS can offer scalability, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced security features. Depending on your needs, moving certain workloads to the cloud can streamline your IT infrastructure and reduce the immediate pressure to upgrade all local devices to Windows 11. IONOS offers a range of services that can integrate well with your overall IT strategy and security posture.
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
The best migration path for your business will depend on a variety of factors, starting with a clear understanding of your existing IT assets – something Viendo can help you achieve. Consider the age and specifications of your current hardware, your budget, your IT resources, and your commitment to security standards like CYBER ESSENTIALS. Understanding potential hardware lead times (especially for Lenovo) and the benefits of cloud solutions through partners like IONOS is crucial.
DON'T LEAVE THIS DECISION TO THE LAST MINUTE! THE POTENTIAL FOR HARDWARE SHORTAGES, COMBINED WITH THE NATURAL DEVICE REFRESH CYCLE, MEANS THAT PROACTIVE PLANNING, STARTING WITH AN ASSET REGISTER FROM VIENDO AND CONSIDERING NEW LENOVO DEVICES OR CLOUD MIGRATIONS WITH IONOS, IS MORE CRITICAL THAN EVER.
In the final part of our series, we'll delve into how Viendo can help you navigate these options and ensure a smooth and secure transition away from Windows 10, leveraging our partnerships with LENOVO and IONOS to provide tailored solutions and ensuring you have the foundational asset register required for CYBER ESSENTIALS.
