If you still use Windows 10 in your business, you need to know the version 22H2 is the last update you’ll be getting.
Support for Windows 10 ends on the 14th October 2025 so you don’t have long to plan migration to Windows 11 or 12 (allegedly coming in 2024).
Or you could skip migration altogether and embrace the hosted desktop. All the features of local installations with none of the maintenance or security concerns.
Anyway, back to Windows 10.
Windows 10
Windows 10 was something of a watershed for Microsoft. For the first time in the company’s history, we have a truly usable, reliable operating system.
A system that worked fast, could be secured and used safely in business.
Sure, it wasn’t without its teething problems but overall it was a great leap forward in operating systems. It also gave MacOS a genuine run for its money after such a long time.
Windows 10 was officially released in 2015 and has been steadily updated ever since.
It was once touted as the last Windows version ever, but as we know, that isn’t true. Nevertheless, it was a solid update to Windows 8.1 and gave both consumers and businesses what they wanted.
An operating system that worked on all current hardware and was reliable and easy to use.
It also gave businesses a lot of control over features, users, security and applications.
The Windows 10 lifecycle
Microsoft provided a roadmap of the Windows 10 lifecycle a while ago. It lets us all plan future updates and migrations well ahead of time.
“We realize that a clear Windows client roadmap update helps consumers and organizations with planning their Windows release activities,” said Microsoft’s Principal Product Manager for Windows Servicing and Delivery Jason Leznek, said on the Windows IT Pro Blog.
The good news is that we have a little over 2 years of support left for Windows 10.
The bad news is that we have a little over 2 years of support left for Windows 10.
Larger businesses and enterprises will need to begin planning for migration soon. The question then becomes, upgrade to Windows 11, wait to see what Windows 12 brings or try something new?
Support until 2025
Even though Windows 10 will no longer be updated, it will remain in support until 2025.
That means we’ll still get security patches and fixes but won’t get extra features or updates.
That’s no bad thing. Windows 10 updates seem to cause as much trouble as they try to fix and many an enterprise has had to roll back version updates even after testing.
Thankfully, most of those update woes were not part of Windows 11 and hopefully will be nowhere to be seen in Windows 12.
If you’re part of the LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel), you’ll still get updates depending on the specific lifecycle.
That’s good news if you have bespoke platforms or software designed for Windows 10.
You’ll still have able to retain some Win10 machines relatively securely regardless of what you do with the rest of your estate.
New OS or hosted desktop?
The question of what comes next happens every time an operating system goes out of support.
This time is no different.
Only you have one more viable option rather than MacOS, Linux or the next Windows version.
Hosted desktop.
A cloud-based version of a Windows desktop with the same tools and features, enterprise level security and integration with all your favourite tools.
The advantage with hosted desktop is flexibility. Staff can log in from anywhere, at any time. This is great for flexible or remote working as it’s a seamless way to move around while maintaining data integrity and security.
It’s also cheaper and lower maintenance as it uses per-seat licencing and requires no hardware investment.
While Windows 10 still has some life left in it, it’s time to begin looking to the future.
Perhaps hosted desktop could be it.