The countdown is approaching zero. Next month, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10. When October 14, 2025, arrives, millions of businesses across Virginia will suddenly find themselves running on unsupported operating systems with no security patches, technical assistance, or protection against emerging threats.
For government contractors, healthcare organizations, and small businesses that depend on secure, compliant technology infrastructure, this transition is about much more than a routine software update.
These are the Windows 10 End-of-Life (EOL) risks that could threaten your business’s future if you keep delaying an upgrade.
Windows 10 EOL Risks Begin with Permanent Security Vulnerabilities
When Microsoft stops providing security updates for Windows 10, every newly discovered vulnerability becomes a permanent entry point for cybercriminals.
Microsoft fixed 107 security flaws in its August 2025 Patch Tuesday, including one zero-day vulnerability already known to be exploited in the wild. Without ongoing support, your Windows 10 systems will accumulate these vulnerabilities indefinitely.
These outdated software dangers compound over time, making your systems increasingly attractive targets for both automated attacks and sophisticated threat actors.
When Ignoring Windows End-of-Life Risks Proves Costly
To see what could happen when organizations ignore Windows 10 EOL risks, we only have to look back to the WannaCry ransomware attack of May 2017.
This attack primarily targeted systems that hadn’t applied Microsoft’s security patches, with 98 percent of the affected computers running Windows 7 at a time when many organizations had delayed migrating to supported versions.
The attack caused billions in global financial damage and specifically cost the UK’s National Health Service the equivalent of $12.45 million.
Compliance Violations Then Threaten Business Operations
Many industries operate under strict regulatory frameworks requiring current, supported software systems. Non-compliance penalties include substantial fines, business restrictions, and personal liability for executives in certain scenarios.
Government contractors, for example, face immediate CMMC compliance failures when running unsupported operating systems. CMMC requirements specifically mandate that contractors maintain current, supported software systems to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Healthcare organizations subject to HIPAA requirements face similar exposure. The Department of Health and Human Services has made it clear that using outdated software can constitute a breach of the minimum necessary safeguards required under HIPAA.
Targeted Healthcare Data Breaches Escalate Dramatically
2024 was devastating for healthcare data breaches. The Change Healthcare ransomware attack alone affected an estimated 190 million individuals, making it the largest healthcare data breach in history. The financial impact was staggering: UnitedHealth said the attack caused $872 million in losses, which increased to an expected $2.45 billion for nine months.
The attack began when threat actors used compromised credentials to remotely access a Change Healthcare Citrix portal that was not protected by multifactor authentication. It’s just one example of how unsupported OS security risks create cascading vulnerabilities that sophisticated attackers readily exploit.
Windows 10 End-of-Life Risks Attract Advanced Persistent Threats
Government contractors face threat actors who specifically target defense supply chains. The 2024 cybersecurity landscape has shown that these actors are increasingly targeting smaller contractors as stepping stones to larger defense systems.
These nation-state actors specifically scan for unsupported systems as entry points into government contractor networks. Once inside, they conduct lateral movement to access classified information, intellectual property, and sensitive government data.
Aside from immediate security concerns, breaches involving government contractors can result in security clearance revocation, contract termination, and permanent exclusion from future federal opportunities.
Small Businesses Face Extinction Through Ransomware
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often assume they’re too small to attract cybercriminal attention, but this assumption proves dangerously false when running unsupported systems.
We’ve seen small businesses get hit by ransomware attacks and never recover, with many closing permanently due to operational and financial impact. That’s not isolated to Virginia – offsetting the cost of a cyberattack is a problem SMBs across the US face.
Windows 10 EOL risks will affect small businesses disproportionately because they often lack dedicated IT security teams to monitor threats and implement alternative protection measures. Often, these organizations need professional IT support to implement proper security measures when transitioning away from unsupported systems.
Extended Windows 10 Support: An Expensive Band-Aid Solution
Microsoft is currently offering Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, but don’t be fooled. This is a costly temporary measure, not a sustainable strategy.
The pricing structure will escalate dramatically: $61 per device for the first year, doubling to $122 for the second year, then doubling again to $244 for the third year. For a small business with 50 computers, that means extended support costs would grow from $3,050 in year one to $12,200 in year three.
What’s more, these expenses provide only minimal security coverage compared to migrating to a supported operating system and don’t address broader compatibility and performance issues.
How Windows 11 Migration Eliminates EOL Risks (and More)
Beyond avoiding Windows 10 EOL risks, migrating to Windows 11 provides substantial security and operational benefits specifically valuable for regulated industries.
Windows 11 includes:
- TPM 2.0 hardware-based encryption
- Secure Boot protection against malicious software
- Smart App Control that automatically blocks suspicious applications
Its built-in security features help organizations meet HIPAA, CMMC, and other regulatory requirements more effectively than legacy systems, reducing the complexity and cost of maintaining compliance.
The operating system also provides the foundation for implementing zero-trust security models and supports emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced threat detection.
Making Your Migration Seamless
Your migration strategy should include comprehensive asset assessment, compliance gap analysis, phased implementation planning, and staff training—and we know that can be a lot for a small business to tackle.
Working with experienced IT support professionals like us ensures proper planning and execution of your Windows 11 migration. The cost of proactive migration pales in comparison to the potential financial, operational, and reputational damage from a successful cyberattack against unsupported systems.
Don’t Let Windows 10 EOL Risks Become Your Organization’s Downfall
The threat landscape continues evolving, and cybercriminals are already preparing to exploit the millions of outdated software dangers that will emerge after October 2025.
Protect your business from preventable threats. Contact Infinity Technologies now to secure your systems before it’s too late.
