In a landscape where technological advancement is paramount, a recent study by ControlUp reveals a concerning trend among businesses regarding their migration to Windows 11. A staggering 82% of devices remain on the older operating system, despite the looming end of life for Windows 10, set for late 2025. After this deadline, organizations will only have access to three additional years of updates before they are left without support.
Interestingly, the majority of these devices—88%—are fully equipped to transition to Windows 11, which necessitates a 64-bit CPU, ‘Secure Boot’ capabilities, and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip. Only a small fraction, 11%, will require complete replacement to meet the new system’s demands, while a mere 1% can be upgraded to comply with the requirements prior to migration.
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Firms don’t want to repeat difficult migrations with Windows 11
Mark Gilliand, director at Cloudhouse, highlights the apprehension many businesses feel about upgrading to Windows 11, stemming from their experiences with the transition to Windows 10. “The upgrade process was often lengthy and disruptive, particularly due to challenges with legacy applications and compatibility,” he noted in an interview with ITPro. This history of difficulty has left companies cautious about the potential costs, time commitments, and operational impacts associated with another upgrade.
One significant hurdle is ensuring that both commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom-built applications will function seamlessly on the new operating system. Gilliand points out that while many vendors have certification for Windows 11, it often applies only to the latest versions. In-house applications may require extensive testing and adjustments, leading to another round of quality assurance (QA) processes. The challenge intensifies when applications lack forward compatibility, potentially leaving critical business operations stranded on outdated platforms and raising compliance concerns.
Microsoft is pushing back against reluctant businesses
In response to the slow migration rates, Microsoft has adopted a dual strategy to encourage businesses to embrace Windows 11. The tech giant has sought to entice enterprises with promises of enhanced features, including AI-driven capabilities through the Copilot Preview for Windows 11 and new plugins for popular applications like Shopify and Klarna.
However, Microsoft has also taken a more assertive stance by increasing the cost of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for those who delay their transition past the October 2025 deadline. After this date, businesses will face a steep price of for the first year of updates, escalating to 2 in the second year and 4 in the third. This pricing structure marks a significant increase compared to the Windows 7 ESU program, which charged users only for the first year, followed by and 0 in subsequent years.
