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Last updated: 26 September 2026
Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025. Microsoft no longer provides free security updates, fixes or technical support for it, so any business PC still running Windows 10 is either covered by paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) or exposed to new vulnerabilities. This guide sets out the steps we follow when moving business devices to Windows 11, so the upgrade goes smoothly and nothing important is lost.
In this guide
Do I still need to upgrade from Windows 10?
Step 1: Check hardware compatibility
Step 2: Update the current system
Step 3: Back up your data
Step 4: Check your business software
Step 5: Plan accounts and deployment
Step 6: Upgrade in phases
Frequently asked questions
Need help moving to Windows 11?
Do not just read it. Act on it.
Do I still need to upgrade from Windows 10?
Yes. Unsupported operating systems are a common way in for attackers, and running one can also affect cyber insurance and Cyber Essentials certification, which requires devices in scope to be supported and receiving security updates.
If some machines cannot move straight away, Microsoft sells Windows 10 ESU for businesses for up to three years. In the UK, business ESU through a Microsoft partner costs around £58 per device (excluding VAT) for the first year, and the price roughly doubles each year after that. Year two runs to October 2027. Coverage is cumulative, so if you join in year two you also pay for year one. Charities and schools can buy ESU for a nominal fee of about £0.90 per device for the first year. ESU buys time, but it is usually cheaper to replace or upgrade the device.
Step 1: Check hardware compatibility
Windows 11 has stricter requirements than Windows 10. Each device needs:
A supported 64-bit processor (1 GHz or faster, 2 or more cores) on Microsoft’s approved CPU list
TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)
UEFI firmware with Secure Boot
At least 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage (we recommend 16 GB RAM and an SSD for business use)
Run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app on each device, or ask us to report on your whole estate at once. We don’t recommend workarounds that install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware for business use, as those devices may not receive updates reliably.
Step 2: Update the current system
Install all outstanding Windows, driver and firmware (BIOS) updates, restart, and repeat until nothing is pending. A fully patched device is far less likely to fail part-way through the upgrade.
Step 3: Back up your data
Make sure files are synced to OneDrive or SharePoint, or backed up to another secure location
Check the backup is complete and can be restored
For important or unusual machines, take a full system image first
Step 4: Check your business software
Microsoft 365 apps run fully on Windows 11, but line-of-business, accounts, CAD or practice-management software may need an update or vendor confirmation. Check with each supplier, and test critical apps on one pilot machine before upgrading everyone.
Step 5: Plan accounts and deployment
Personal Windows 11 Home and Pro setups ask for a Microsoft account. Business devices should instead sign in with your Microsoft 365 work account (Microsoft Entra ID) and ideally be managed through Microsoft Intune. With Windows Autopilot, new or reset PCs set themselves up with your apps, settings and security policies when a user signs in.
Step 6: Upgrade in phases
Start with a small pilot group, fix any issues, then roll out to everyone, ideally outside peak working hours. Make sure you have a reliable wired or Wi-Fi connection, as the download is large. The current release is Windows 11 version 25H2, with version 26H2 due in October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PC compatible with Windows 11?
Use the PC Health Check app. It checks the processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, memory and storage. Many PCs bought before 2018 will not qualify.
How long does the upgrade take?
An in-place upgrade on a compatible PC usually takes one to two hours including downloads and restarts. Plan more time for backups and application testing.
Will I lose my files?
An in-place upgrade normally keeps files and apps, but always back up first in case something goes wrong.
Can I keep using Windows 10?
Only safely with paid ESU (from around £58 per device for year one for businesses), and only until October 2028 at the latest. Without ESU, Windows 10 devices no longer receive security updates.
Need help moving to Windows 11?
ABCOM helps businesses and charities across Sussex plan and run Windows 11 upgrades, from compatibility reports and replacement hardware to Intune deployment and secure disposal of old devices through our IT recycling service. Contact our Burgess Hill team or read about our managed IT services.
For more information on Essential Steps for Upgrading to Windows 11 (2026 Guide) talk to ABCOM IT Solutions