It’s time to bring clarity (and peace of mind) to a growing tech risk that may be quietly breaching the security of small and mid‑sized law firms everywhere.
If your firm is still running Windows 10, it’s essential to act before support ends.
I keep talking about how support for all editions of Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. As a friendly reminder, that is next month.
After that date, no support means exactly that: no more security patches, no more bug fixes, no hotline to call when things go wrong.
Although devices will continue to operate, they will increasingly become vulnerable targets for cyber threats. For law firms, which manage sensitive client data and operate under strict ethical obligations, that exposure is especially dangerous.
A surprising number of businesses remain unprepared.
A recent study showed that 1 in 5 businesses don’t know the deadline is coming. Another large group knows but hasn’t made a move yet.
Many leaders haven’t realized how close this deadline is, and planning is already late in the game. It’s understandable amid heavy casework, tech risks tend to go unseen until it’s too late. But now, “too late” means falling behind on security, compliance, and reliability.
What are your options?
1. Stay on Windows 10 with Extended Security Updates (ESU).
Microsoft offers ESU as a temporary safeguard. For consumers, it runs through October 13, 2026, for a fee, or even free if you enroll with a Microsoft account or redeem 1,000 Rewards points. For businesses, ESU pricing doubles each year and can be cost‑prohibitive ($61 → $122 → $244 per device), though discounts may apply via Intune. It’s an emergency patch, not a permanent fix.
2. Upgrade to Windows 11.
This is your best long‑term move. Windows 11 brings stronger, hardware‑rooted protections (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, BitLocker, Windows Hello), plus a modern interface built for collaboration and productivity with Snap Layouts, Taskbar‑integrated Teams, Copilot, and more. Because it’s built for the hybrid workplace, it helps keep your team connected and empowered.
3. “Do nothing.”
This option risks exposure: your systems become increasingly insecure, outdated, and eventually may be unable to run key business tools – or even work reliably during a court hearing or depositions.
If your current hardware won’t support Windows 11, there’s still value in evaluating whether upgrading memory or adding an SSD can help. Doing that now can delay full replacements and ease cost pressures.
4. Consider special-use Windows 10 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel).
LTSC editions (used primarily in embedded devices) will receive updates until 2032. While stable, they’re not meant for general office use and require volume licensing. Compatibility with legal software may also become a challenge.
Why you’ll feel relief once Windows 11 is in place
- Security becomes a team player, not a worry. TPM, Zero‑Trust protections, and built‑in malware defenses aren’t optional, they’re just there.
- Work tools stop getting in the way of your work. Productivity features like Snap Layouts, Taskbar access to Teams and files, and AI‑assisted writing with Copilot make daily tasks smoother.
- The tech feels unreadable to cybercriminals, but readable to you. Windows 11 integrates deeply with Microsoft 365, offering live document collaboration, faster workflows, and fewer disruptions.
- You get to lead, without managing the details. A proactive, focused IT partner can help you map the upgrade path, assess hardware, and time the transition so it feels controlled—not rushed.
Your next steps
- Inventory your devices. Which are ready for Windows 11? Which need upgrades or replacement?
- Ask your IT partner two simple questions:
- “Are we ready for Windows 10 end-of-support on October 14, 2025?”
- “What’s our plan for Windows 11 deployment…and is it realistic?”
- Choose a path. ESU gives a short reprieve. Windows 11 offers long-term peace of mind. Avoid “do nothing.”
- Set a timeline. Aim to transition ASAP. Ideally I would say before back-to-school season or before end of summer (when workloads ease) but that might be optimistic depending on your infrastructure and total number of PCs. Regardless, get it on the calendar and stick to it. Better late than never as they say.
Let’s face it: as a leader of a law firm, you already juggle a lot. Let us take care of technology so that you don’t have to carry its burden. If you’d like guidance – whether to upgrade hardware, roll out Windows 11, or even just reassure your team – my team and I are here to help.
You’re doing the hard thinking. And you don’t have to walk into this unprepared.