Windows 10 is Ending. Here’s What You Need to Do Before October 2025

Remember when Windows 10 was the new kid on the block? Fast, sleek, “the last version of Windows” they said. Fast forward, and here we are Microsoft has RSVP’d the end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.

Yup, it's officially being put out to pasture. And if you're thinking, “That’s ages away,” hold up. If you run a business or have more than two machines to deal with, you need to be planning the shift to Windows 11 now.

What Happens When Windows 10 Hits EOL?

Let’s not sugarcoat this. After October 14, 2025, Windows 10 is:

- No longer getting security updates
- Out of the feature-update game
- Off Microsoft’s tech support radar

It’ll still work (for a while), but it’ll slowly become outdated, vulnerable, and completely unsupported.

The Upgrade to Windows 11 is FREE (Yes, Still)

This bit’s important. If you’ve got a valid Windows 10 licence, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

Microsoft’s still quietly allowing that, even though they stopped shouting about it months ago. So don’t pay some dodgy eBay listing or sketchy pop-up ad claiming to sell “genuine” upgrade keys. You don’t need them. When you install Windows 11 it will grab your genuine key from your Windows 10 installation.

Got the Right Hardware But Still Can’t Upgrade?

Here’s a curveball a few of our customers have run into, Windows 10 says your PC isn’t ready for 11, even though it technically is.

Before you throw your perfectly fine hardware out to pasture try this:

How to Enable UEFI and Secure Boot in BIOS:
- Restart your PC and tap DEL or F2 (depends on your system) to enter the BIOS.
- Head to the Boot tab.
- Set Boot Mode from Legacy Boot to UEFI.
- Find Secure Boot (usually under “Security” or “Boot”) and enable it.
- Save and exit the BIOS (F10 usually does the trick).

Pro tip: If your system is using an MBR partition instead of GPT, that can cause hiccups too. Tools like mbr2gpt can help with the conversion.

Once that's all squared away, Windows 11 should install easily.

Hey Businesses...This Means You Too

Let’s be honest. If you’re running a business, chances are you've got a handful of machines still running away on Windows 10.

Maybe they’re behind reception, in a back office, or connected to that ancient label printer you still use every day.

Now is the time to plan.
- Audit your hardware
- Check upgrade eligibility
- Create a rollout timeline
- Test it with your core apps

The last thing you want is a frantic upgrade sprint in Q3 of 2025 while cyber threats are doing laps around your outdated systems.

Need help with any of this? You know where we are. We're already working with several businesses to prep their upgrade plans, and we’ll happily help you too!

Your Action Plan

- Windows 10 support ends Oct 14, 2025.
- Windows 11 upgrades are still FREE.
- Check your BIOS for UEFI and Secure Boot.
- Businesses: plan upgrades now, don’t wait.

At Utopia, we believe good advice should be free, just like the Windows 11 upgrade. So if you're unsure where to start, drop us a line (01563 574280) or, if you're lucky enough to be local, pop in for a chat.