NHS devices diagnosed with compatibility issues and Windows 11 prescribed as treatment

Some NHS devices are incompatible with Windows 11
Manufacturers insist that they need to be replaced at high cost.
Windows 10 has reached the end of its useful life, security updates will no longer have patches

NHS hospitals are failing to complete their full upgrade to Windows 11 as a small number of vendors are yet to make their devices compatible with the new operating system.

This flaw leaves devices exposed if any vulnerabilities arise, as Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 in October 2025, meaning it will no longer patch security flaws for anyone, no matter how crucial the software is.

Reports of Digital Health outline an example at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, where around 98% of the trust’s Windows estate has been updated thanks to the “incredible work” of technology teams, but the remaining 2% of devices are not compatible with the new operating system.

Small percentage, big exposure

It may not seem like a large amount, but hospitals are an incredibly attractive target for cybercriminals as they have many systems that can be held hostage due to the urgency of the operation, making ransom payments potentially more likely.

Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust’s Director of Health Informatics, James Rawlinson, explains that some equipment that is only three years old now needs to be replaced entirely due to incompatibility, according to the manufacturer.

Manufacturers use the excuse of having to comply with strict regulations for their software to interact with other medical devices, but this comes at an additional cost to the already strained health service.

“We want them to do that, but it still leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you’ve spent £34,000 on a PC and then three years later you’re going to spend it all again because they themselves just don’t upgrade to support Windows 11,” Rawlinson said. Digital Health.

Any chance of disruption can also have a serious impact on the hospital, and one investigation tragically found that the repercussions of ransomware contributed to the death of a patient, highlighting the extreme importance of ensuring all devices are up to date.

“Historically, these medical equipment vendors have provided end-to-end support for their software and equipment, but all of a sudden they say, ‘It has nothing to do with us, it’s up to your local IT to take care of it, but don’t worry, you can buy extended support from Microsoft.’ It just sucks,” adds Rawlinson.