The Costly Implications of Delaying a Move to Windows 11

After 14^th October 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, technical assistance, or feature improvements for Windows 10. With the clock already ticking, the implications are substantial, and demand careful consideration for businesses running large ecosystems of mobile workers who rely completely on their device to function in the field.

Security is the most pressing concern for organisations when Windows 10 reaches end-of-life (EOL). Without access to critical updates and patches, devices running Windows 10 will become increasingly vulnerable to cyberthreats, including malware and ransomware. The consequences for those organisations delaying migration to Windows 11 are significant, and range from financial and operational setbacks to devasting security breaches.

We recently interviewed over 200 decision-makers who were undertaking a migration to Windows 11. Over half (58%) were not fully confident in their ability to manage device security without migrating to Windows 11, or investing in Extended Security Updates (ESU) from Microsoft.

For organisations operating in critical industries such as utilities, power, and national infrastructure, the stakes are even higher. A cyberattack could be catastrophic, with widespread power outages, or compromised access to essential resources like water escalating any incidents into a national emergency. 

We only need to look at the April 2025 power outage across the Iberian Peninsula, to understand the potential impact of systems within critical national infrastructures going offline. It left large swathes of Spain and Portugal’s population in complete darkness, affecting essential systems such as communication networks, water supplies, and transport systems. 

Whilst the cause of the outage remains unclear, it demonstrates the interconnectedness and dependencies of our national systems on robust, secure, and dependable technology.

It is clear that inaction comes at high costs. Transitioning to Windows 11 delivers enhanced security, compliance, and operational excellence for mobile workers in the field, preparing organisations to meet the challenges of tomorrow with confidence.

Failing to upgrade exposes organisations to escalating security vulnerabilities, skyrocketing security costs, intensified regulatory scrutiny, and lagging productivity. These factors collectively make delaying the transition to Windows 11 a risky and unsustainable choice.

The window for action is now. If they haven’t already, organisations need to schedule migration timelines, audit application and hardware compatibility, and plan how a phased approach will allow mobile workers operating at the edge to reap the benefits of Windows 11, without compromising productivity.

This will enable organisations to seamlessly continue operations with minimal interruptions, reduced costs, and ensure long-term security and efficiency. Why risk staying on an insecure, expensive, and increasingly unstable operating system?

To find out more about migrating to Windows 11, download our research white paper: “The High Cost of Standing Still: The Business Case for Upgrading to Windows 11.”