The Real Cost of Standing Still: Why It's Time To Move Beyond Windows 10

On Oct. 14, 2025, Windows 10 support will end. To avoid risks to your security and productivity, you must have a Windows 11 Pro-ready device before that date. Change is difficult, but it is time to move forward.

Delaying your move to Windows 11 Pro exposes your organization to unnecessary risk — the longer you wait, the more vulnerable it becomes.

After Oct. 14, 2025, any devices still running Windows 10 will no longer receive critical security or system updates without ad hoc subscription-based patches. Without this added protection, you leave yourself vulnerable to evolving cyberthreats. From malware to data breaches and data loss, compromised networks, performance issues and downtime, even a single unpatched device becomes a gateway for cyberattacks across your entire organization. This threatens your productivity, customer trust and adherence to regulations.

Unlike expensive security patches (which increase in cost year over year), Windows 11 Pro delivers continuous innovation, full security and platform longevity for your devices and your network with enhanced security features like TPM 2.0, virtualization-based security, Microsoft Defender, Secure Boot, Smart App Control and more. When the cost of an average data breach can be more than $4.5 million, you open yourself to incredible risk. Standing still and staying with Windows 10 can cost more than your migration to Windows 11 Pro.

Purchasing new technology can be expensive, but staying with legacy technology could cost you even more. Devices that run Windows 10 do not have the tools or capabilities that you need to compete in a modern environment. They lack the performance, battery life and innovative collaboration tools you will find in next-gen artificial intelligence (AI) PCs. Workflows and projects are much more challenging when teams face slower boot times, application crashes and compatibility issues.

All these shortcomings combined can cost you hours of lost productivity per employee, per week. It may feel like staying with your legacy devices is the more cost-effective choice, but the math is clear. It will cost you more to maintain them, and they cannot deliver the same caliber product as a Windows 11 Pro device.

AI is making incredible progress, and you need a device that can handle the demands of this advanced technology. Windows 10 devices were made to meet users’ needs when they first launched in 2015, but our needs have evolved.

Modern tools like Microsoft Copilot offer superior endpoint security and intuitive collaboration solutions that were designed for Windows 11 Pro. Legacy Windows 10 devices lack the necessary hardware to handle the demands of these more innovative tools. To stay competitive in your field and drive your workflows forward, you need access to these AI-powered features. Without making this shift, your company risks falling behind or being left out of this productivity revolution.

Windows 11 Pro was built to power a new generation of productivity — one that revolves around AI. To unlock its full potential, your devices must be able to support the processing demands of modern AI-powered features like Microsoft Copilot. While some traditional PCs are certainly capable of running Windows 11 Pro, AI PCs are optimized for it. These devices are designed for performance, with integrated neural processing units (NPUs) that make it possible to run complex AI models locally, boosting responsiveness, enhancing security and reducing reliance on the cloud.

Without an AI PC, you’re missing out on the intuitive automation, real-time insights and workflow acceleration that Windows 11 Pro was designed to deliver. Choosing to upgrade to AI PCs now ensures that your organization can stay agile, secure and competitive — not just today, but in the years ahead.

Learn more about AI PCs with our CDW Buyer’s Guide.

Organizations that choose to remain with Windows 10 devices risk falling behind competitors who are modernizing. While those embracing modernization tap into the power of AI to become more decisive, automate workflows and reduce IT overhead, those who don’t will struggle with obsolete technology from outdated devices that just can’t keep up. Neglecting device updates and OS modernization affects more than IT — it challenges your business's strategic position. Waiting for your move to Windows 11 Pro means you risk falling into obscurity.

Modernizing your technology with Windows 11 Pro devices helps you future-proof your environment. It is an investment in your security, productivity and scalability. Choosing an AI PC means you get long-term support, better manageability and the modern hardware you need to leverage modern tools. This upgrade is well worth the cost.

We know that time is limited, and making this migration is expensive and challenging. CDW is here to support you in finding the best devices to meet your business objectives. Our expansive lifecycle services cover everything from imaging to deployment to asset recovery across every OEM. Whether you're refreshing your fleet or rolling out AI PCs, CDW ensures a smooth, scalable transition. Collaborate with our experts to find the right Windows 11 Pro device now.