End of support for Windows 10: risks, alternatives, and how to prepare

The end of support for Windows 10 now has an official date: October 14, 2025. From that moment on, millions of devices in corporate environments will no longer receive security updates, critical patches, and technical support from Microsoft.

This change not only impacts system protection. It also affects compatibility with key tools, infrastructure management, licensing, and regulatory compliance.

Added to this is the end of extended support for Windows Server 2012/2012 R2, which broadens the scope of this technological transition.
In this article, we will analyze the risks of continuing to operate unsupported systems, the options for efficient migration, and how to prepare. At the same time, we will tell you what tools and approaches leading organizations are using to avoid setbacks and turn this migration into an opportunity for improvement.

1. What does the end of support for Windows 10 mean?

The end of support means that Microsoft will no longer provide:

• Security updates
• Bug fixes
• Stability or compatibility improvements
• Official technical support

From October 14, 2025, organizations that continue to use Windows 10 in production will be exposed to new vulnerabilities. This means that, in the event of risks, the manufacturer will not be able to provide us with support.

What happens if a company continues to use it?

Continuing to operate with Windows 10 after that date opens up a significant attack surface. Our Infrastructure Leader, Carlos Lasko, warns that “keeping Windows 10 in production beyond the end of support represents a significant operational risk. Not only does it increase exposure to vulnerabilities, but it also complicates interoperability with new security, management, and productivity solutions”.

In other words, continuing to use Windows 10 could lead to:

• Regulatory non-compliance in regulated sectors (finance, healthcare, industry).
• Limitations with software and hardware that are no longer compatible.
• Audit risks and penalties.
• Increased internal support costs for preventable incidents.

Furthermore, Carlos points out that “in regulated environments, this can lead to failed audits or loss of certifications.” Emphasizing the importance of taking urgent action, he comments: “At Wezen, we are already working with our customers to identify these critical issues and accelerate migration before they become structural problems”.

2. The licensing challenge: migrating strategically

Planning for the transition is not just a technical matter: it must also take licensing into account. On this point, Jerónimo Ramos, Infrastructure Coordinator at Wezen, explains that “migration from Windows 10 should not be seen as a simple technical upgrade, but rather as a strategic licensing decision that directly affects security, operations, and regulatory compliance”.

In this respect, Jerónimo states that “it is crucial to choose schemes that not only offer active support, but also incorporate modern management and protection capabilities”.

Therefore, it is important to consider all possibilities to make this migration a strategic action.

What options are available after Windows 10?

• Purchase perpetual licenses for later versions (e.g., Windows 11 Pro).
• Subscription to Microsoft 365, which includes Windows + productivity tools + security.
• Volume licensing agreements (Open Value, CSP, etc.).

The decision will depend on the number of devices, whether there are hybrid environments (on-premise + cloud), and the overall IT strategy.

In other words, “choosing the right licensing model is essential to turn this migration into an opportunity for technological improvement, avoiding unnecessary costs and ensuring an infrastructure that complies with current standards”, explains Jerónimo.

3. Security risks: operating without patches is like opening the door

Once support ends, every new vulnerability will be an open door for attackers. Our IT Security leader, Pablo Alarcón Rivera, explains that “continuing to use Windows 10 after the end of support not only exposes the organization to a considerable increase in operational risk, but also to reputational risk.” This situation could arise “because each new vulnerability discovered will remain unmitigated by a security patch and will facilitate attacks such as ransomware or remote exploitation that can disrupt critical operations”.

In summary, among the vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit, we can mention:

• Ransomware exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities.
• Unmitigated zero-day exploits.
• Unauthorized access due to known flaws.
• Lateral movement within the network from compromised endpoints.

However, there are not only security risks, but also “regulatory issues, where companies that intend to carry out a security audit and/or maintain certifications, such as ISO 27001, cannot comply simply because they are running obsolete software”, warns Pablo.

So, what is the direct impact that an organization would suffer by continuing to use it after the end of Windows 10 support?

• Increased operational and reputational risk.
• Difficulty passing security audits.
• Possible legal impacts if a data breach occurs.

4. Massive upgrade with MDM and cloud management

Migrating thousands of devices is no small task. Carlos Lasko explains: “From an infrastructure perspective, we know that migrating thousands of devices is not just a technical issue: it is a strategic challenge. In our experience, companies that manage to do this quickly and securely are those that adopt modern tools”. These include:

• Microsoft Intune or other MDM (Mobile Device Management) solutions.
• Azure AD for identity management in hybrid environments.
• Microsoft Entra ID.
• Windows Autopilot for automated deployment.

Carlos adds: “These solutions have enabled us to automate the upgrade process, apply centralized policies, and significantly reduce manual errors. Most importantly, all this without disrupting daily operations”.

Through these platforms, modern management allows you to:

• Automate upgrades.
• Apply centralized policies.
• Reduce manual errors.
• Accelerate deployment without interrupting operations.

Regarding the advantages of using these tools in migration, the Infrastructure leader explains: “Modern MDM and cloud-based management not only facilitates mass deployment, but also gives us visibility, control, and efficiency to scale with confidence”.

5. Compatibility, performance, and networking

An infrastructure that keeps Windows 10 beyond its support date is not only vulnerable: it can also become an operational bottleneck.

In this way, Alex Morales, Networking Leader, explains that “from a network perspective, maintaining unsupported Windows 10 computers involves much more than an individual risk. It can affect connectivity stability, create incompatibilities with modern security and collaboration solutions, and even open breaches that compromise the entire infrastructure”.

Some of the most common risks may include:

• New applications that no longer run on older versions.
• Collaborative tools with errors or limitations.
• Connectivity, network, or overall performance issues.

That’s why we should see this operating system update as an opportunity to review our network architecture and the efficiency of our technological resources.

In other words, Alex points out: “Migrating to a current operating system is not just a preventive measure: it’s an opportunity to strengthen our network architecture and ensure that our technological resources are aligned with the future needs of the business”.

Additional alert: End of extended support for Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2

As of October 10, 2025, those who purchased the Extended Security Updates (ESU) service will no longer have extended support for Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2.

The consequences are similar: exposure to vulnerabilities, non-compliance, and rising costs. Many organizations still use it as a file server, domain controller, or application server.

That’s why Wezen recommends starting to plan your migration to more modern versions or cloud services such as Azure.

Is your organization truly prepared?

The end of support for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012 is not just a technical issue: it is a strategic challenge that impacts security, operations, licensing, and regulatory compliance.

Avoiding costly improvisation requires acting well in advance.

At Wezen, we can help you:

• Diagnose your current situation.
• Plan the change efficiently.
• Automate the upgrade securely.
• Ensure your infrastructure is aligned with current standards.

Do you have questions or want to know how to prepare? Write to us and we will accompany you through the process.