By Joe Stocker, Founder & Microsoft Security MVP, Patriot Consulting

Windows 10 support officially ends on October 14, 2025. And while your devices won’t suddenly stop working, the protection behind them will. No more security updates. No feature enhancements. No Microsoft support.

For organizations not actively planning their migration, that means serious exposure to risk. The good news? There’s still time, and a better way to get ahead of it.

At Patriot, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses plan and deliver secure, scalable upgrades to Windows 11 using Microsoft Intune. And if you’re still relying on traditional endpoint management, now is the moment to modernize.

In our recent executive webinar, our Endpoint Practice Manager Kevin Vanover shared practical guidance in a 20-minute strategic walkthrough. Watch it (here)

Here’s what you need to know:

1. What Happens When Windows 10 Reaches End of Life?

Your devices won’t shut down, but they will be vulnerable. After October 14, they’ll stop receiving updates and technical support. That puts your business at risk of breaches, noncompliance, and operational headaches.

Yes, Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESUs), but they’re $61 per device per year and capped at three years. It’s a short-term patch, not a long-term plan.

2. Microsoft Intune Is the Smartest Way to Get There

Microsoft Intune isn’t just about patching, it’s your control center for secure, scalable endpoint management. With it, you can:

• Collect device readiness and compatibility data
• Set deployment and health monitoring policies
• Track upgrade progress across all devices
• Troubleshoot upgrade failures in real time

Already licensed for Microsoft 365 E3 or E5? You likely have access to all the Intune functionality you need, it’s just a matter of using it correctly.

3. You Might Already Have Compatibility Issues – Intune Will Tell You

Through detailed readiness and compatibility reports, Intune can flag:

• Devices that don’t meet Windows 11 requirements
• Applications and drivers that will break post-upgrade
• Wi-Fi protocols blocked by Credential Guard

We’ve seen businesses caught off guard by default settings like Credential Guard preventing devices from connecting to Wi-Fi. Intune helps you spot issues early and fix them fast.

4. You Can Monitor Progress in Real Time

Deployment success shouldn’t be a mystery. With Intune, you’ll see:

• Which devices are compliant
• Where upgrades are stalled
• Why errors are occurring and how to fix them

This turns your migration into a managed, visible project, not a black box of unknowns.

5. It’s Not Too Late… But You Need to Start Now

The longer you wait, the more complex your migration becomes. Hardware replacement cycles, compatibility blockers, and shadow IT all take time to resolve.

Want the full breakdown?
Watch our 20-minute executive demo for a step-by-step view of how Intune helps you plan, execute, and monitor your Windows 11 rollout.
https://patriotconsulting.eventbuilder.com/event/91385

Let’s Talk About Your Readiness

We’re offering a free 1-hour session with either myself or our Endpoint Practice Manager Kevin Vanover. We’ll review your current posture and help build a roadmap tailored to your environment.

Book your session now: [email protected]
Ask about a free copy of my book, Securing Microsoft 365