Free support for numerous editions of Windows 10 is set to conclude on October 14, prompting enterprises that have not yet transitioned to newer systems to brace for substantial costs. According to IT workplace management firm Nexthink, the financial implications of remaining on Windows 10 could reach an estimated .3 billion in the first year alone for customers opting for extended security updates. This figure, derived from preliminary calculations, underscores the significant burden enterprises may face.
Enterprise Device Landscape
Nexthink’s analysis reveals several important factors influencing these costs, particularly the sheer number of commercial devices in circulation. As of June, Microsoft reported over 1.4 billion monthly active devices running Windows. Notably, Nexthink estimates that approximately 30 percent of these devices are utilized by commercial or public sector organizations, translating to around 420 million enterprise Windows devices.
Determining how many of these devices are still operating on Windows 10 presents another challenge, as Microsoft does not provide specific telemetry data. However, based on Statcounter’s market share figures, Windows 10 is estimated to account for between 43 and 45 percent of devices. Nexthink approximates that around 181 million enterprise devices are currently running Windows 10.
Assuming current trends persist—Nexthink observed a 33 percent decline in Windows 10 devices between May 19 and August 1—it is projected that by the time support ceases, approximately 121 million Windows 10 PCs will still be active in enterprises globally. If each of these devices requires a year of Extended Security Updates at a cost of per device, the total expenditure could exceed .3 billion.
Challenges of Transitioning to Windows 11
Nexthink’s findings also highlight concerns regarding the stability of Windows 11 compared to its predecessor. The company’s analysis indicates that Windows 11 experiences a higher incidence of system crashes (1.2 percent versus 0.6 percent) and hard resets (9.9 percent versus 8.5 percent) than Windows 10. These issues are attributed not solely to Microsoft’s quality control but rather to complications arising from driver issues and poorly executed migrations.
Tim Flower, Digital Employee Experience (DEX) Strategist at Nexthink, emphasizes the importance of viewing operating system migrations as opportunities for enhancement rather than mere compliance tasks. “Every migration comes with teething problems, and what we’re seeing with Windows 11 is no different,” he notes. “These issues aren’t necessarily due to Windows itself, but are often linked to the underlying hardware, drivers, or the way systems are deployed.”
Flower advocates for a strategic approach to OS migrations, urging organizations to prioritize the user experience. “Too often, OS projects are treated as compliance exercises. Instead, they should be planned around the experience, ensuring devices are capable, performance issues are resolved, and employees notice a genuine improvement after the upgrade,” he asserts.
With millions of operating system migrations still on the horizon in the coming weeks, the focus should not only be on expediency but also on ensuring that the transition ultimately benefits employees and enhances their daily work experience.
