- Canalys reveals that more than a third of SMEs do not have a clear plan to leave Windows 10 behind
- Surprisingly, 14% of SME does not even know that Windows 10 support is finishing soon
- The lack of update plans could cost SMEs more when tariffs and demand peaks reach a lot
Microsoft has repeatedly announced that the support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025 will end; However, a surprising number of small and medium enterprises (SME) are not yet prepared.
A survey conducted by Canalsys revealed more than a third (35%) of the channel partners said that their SMB clients are unaware of the Windows 10 end-of-service deadline (EOS) or have no plans to update their PC.
Of that 35%, 21% of SMB’s customers know the impending Windows 10 EOS but have no update plans, while 14% are completely unknown. Given the safety and compliance risks of obsolete operational systems after the end of the support, this lack of consciousness and preparation is alarming.
What will this mean for SMEs and users?
On the other side of the spectrum, 30% of SMB customers are aware and currently evaluate the update options, while only 35% have actively planned to update their systems.
This means that almost two thirds of SMEs remain passive or uncertain in their approach to the next change. Unfortunately, many companies do not deal with EOS management as a continuous responsibility, a perspective that needs to change urgently.
“For customers in these situations, the delay in planning means that they are probably in front of a higher cost environment when the time comes to update their PC fleets,” said Isehan Dutt, main analyst at Cábalys.
The firm added that Global Business PC shipments increased 9.4% year -on -year to reach 62.7 million units in the first quarter of 2025, but despite this hardware growth, many companies are still delayed in software preparation.
The end of the service will leave millions of commercial laptops without updates or security patches. Dutt also warned that, as the highest tariffs enter into force, “the subsequent quarter of this year can see a deceleration” as prices increase and demand softens.
Companies that expect much more can face supply limitations as well as the security of the end point becomes more critical than ever.
While Microsoft still has a job to do to make Windows 11 more attractive, that does not change the reality of the impending deadline of Windows 10, here is a countdown account of six steps for Windows 10 EOS and how to prepare for it.
