IT Leaders Race to Meet Windows 10 Support Deadline

As the deadline for Microsoft’s regular support for Windows 10 approaches, IT leaders are facing critical decisions. With less than three months until October 14, 2023, companies must choose between migrating to Windows 11, paying for extended security updates, or risking security vulnerabilities. The urgency is palpable, as organizations navigate the complexities of hardware requirements and application compatibility.

At BSH Home Appliances, a European home appliance manufacturer, the situation is particularly pressing. The company still has 6,000 Windows 10 computers that have not yet transitioned to Windows 11. According to Serhiy Mamus, global head of workplace services, this is all part of a strategic plan. “We have 43,000 laptops and desktops, and all but 2,500 have been migrated,” he states. By the October deadline, all but 500 of the remaining office PCs will be upgraded or replaced. The others will remain on Windows 10, utilizing Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program due to hardware limitations and mission-critical applications.

Similar challenges are faced by Jeff Martinson, 2nd Vice President of infrastructure and operations at Ameritas. His team began migrating 3,100 Windows 10 instances back in 2023, with the project currently at 93% completion. “Supportability and security were key factors,” he notes, highlighting that older hardware lacking the necessary processing power and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 has been a significant obstacle.

The transition to Windows 11 is creating a last-minute scramble for many IT departments. Stefan Kinnestrand, Vice President of Product Marketing at Microsoft, points out that many organizations are balancing various IT initiatives while waiting for the right moment in their device lifecycle. This caution has resulted in slower adoption of Windows 11, which was launched nearly four years ago. Paddy Harrington, a senior analyst at Forrester, emphasizes that there has been no compelling business reason for many to upgrade, especially compared to the previous transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

Delays in migration can be attributed to the perceived lack of return on investment associated with upgrading. David Mayer, CEO of IT services firm Endpoint Technology Partners, explains that the performance and security improvements do not justify the costs of new hardware and the disruption of migration. Many organizations are also hesitant to divert critical resources from other projects with potentially greater business benefits.

Current adoption rates reflect a mixed landscape. Kinnestrand indicates that there is “strong momentum” with Windows 11, while Forrester’s findings suggest that one-third of organizations are completed, another third are rushing to meet the deadline, and the final third are waiting for compatible hardware. For Endpoint Technology Partners, the split is closer to 50/50, with half of their clients finished and the other half at various stages.

Windows 11 does offer enticing features for IT administrators. Enhanced configuration controls, improved app control functions, and a more efficient resource management system are among the advantages highlighted by industry analysts. However, the migration is not without challenges. Many organizations are discovering that machines meeting Microsoft’s minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11 may not perform optimally. Mayer points out that running Windows 11 on machines with only 8GB of RAM can lead to a subpar user experience.

Organizations must carefully evaluate their hardware before proceeding with migration. As Lucas Ebron, a solutions advisor at Portland Internetworks, recommends, organizations should aim for at least 16GB of RAM, an Intel i7 or higher CPU, and a solid-state drive (SSD) for optimal performance. However, budget constraints and supply chain issues could hinder the ability of some clients to complete necessary upgrades before the deadline.

For those machines that remain on Windows 10 beyond the support deadline, the cost of extended security updates is a critical consideration. At $61 per machine initially, this fee escalates to $122 in 2026 and $244 in 2027. Harrington notes that while modern security tools can mitigate some risks, most organizations will prefer to invest in extended support to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.

As organizations navigate these challenges, the importance of application compatibility cannot be overlooked. While Microsoft claims that 99.7% of Windows applications are compatible with Windows 11, many legacy or custom applications are not. Ebron highlights the difficulty some organizations experience with noncompliant applications, which often require upgrades or new licensing. This situation can lead to a “massive long tail of technical debt” that will take years to resolve.

Despite these hurdles, some organizations like BSH have found success in their migration efforts. Mamus emphasizes the importance of thorough testing to avoid compatibility issues. His team started the migration process with a “test factory” that assessed all system images for compatibility with Windows 11, discovering only a few applications that required adjustments.

Looking ahead, organizations have several options for managing their migration strategies. Machines that do not require internet connectivity may be able to forgo extended support if they remain offline. Additionally, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions can allow organizations to run noncompliant applications without upgrading hardware.

Ultimately, the transition to Windows 11 can be successful with the right planning and preparation. As Kinnestrand suggests, organizations that have proactively addressed potential issues report smooth migrations. Mamus reflects on his experience, stating, “This was one of the easiest migrations I’ve seen.”

With the deadline fast approaching, many IT leaders are now racing against the clock to ensure their organizations are ready for the next phase of Windows support. As October 14, 2023 draws near, it is clear that early planning and strategic decision-making will be essential for a seamless transition to Windows 11.