Windows 10 End of Support
Windows 10 End of Support
Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will no longer be supported beginning October 2025 due to their Modern Lifecycle Policy. On this date Windows 10 will no longer receive security patches leaving any systems still running Windows 10 vulnerable to attack. All unsupported Windows 10 computers will be disallowed from the network.
Microsoft has established stringent security requirements for computers to be capable of running Windows 11. If your computer supports the hardware requirements needed, it can be upgraded from Windows 10 to 11 with a free software update.
If a computer cannot support Windows 11, a replacement computer or a Windows 10 extended support license will need to be purchased if the computer is needed. We should scrutinize the need for each computer; we may no longer have the luxury of keeping older computers for non-mission critical purposes. Also, when purchasing a new computer, it may be possible to re-use your existing monitors to keep costs down.
We have a knowledge base article listing some methods to view if a computer supports Windows 11.
Windows 10 End of Support Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 2021 | Western IT early adopters began using Windows 11. |
| Summer 2022 | ATUS non-teaching computer labs upgraded to Windows 11. |
| December 2022 | Most of remaining Western IT staff computers were upgraded to Windows 11. |
| January 2023 | New and reimaged Windows computers deployed with Windows 11. |
| Summer 2023 | Department heads, budget authorities, and admin managers to work with your IT staff to determine which computers cannot be upgraded to Windows 11. Plan to surplus and replace or remove Windows 11 incompatible computers from the network. |
| Summer 2023 | Remaining computer labs and classrooms are upgraded to Windows 11. |
| Summer-Fall 2023 | Employees should contact their IT support to schedule upgrade to Windows 11. |
| Winter-Summer 2024 | Upgrade most employee Windows computers to Windows 11. |
| Fall 2024-Summer 2025 | Upgrade any remaining Windows computers to Windows 11. |
| October 2025 | No unsupported Windows 10 computers are allowed on the Western network. |