Brief: When Microsoft announced it would officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, it triggered more than a routine product sunset. For Canadian businesses, especially SMBs in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and legal, it signals a budget, security, and operational reckoning that can’t be ignored.
“The most dangerous phrase in business is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.'” — Rear Admiral Grace Hopper
Here’s the hard truth: most SMBs aren’t ready for the fallout—and waiting until 2026 to act could mean higher costs, greater Cyber Security risks, and operational disruptions that are entirely avoidable.
What Does End of Windows 10 Support Actually Mean?
Let’s clear up a common misconception: end of support isn’t the same as your PC suddenly shutting off. It means Microsoft will stop releasing security updates, bug fixes, and technical support for Windows 10.
That may sound routine. But in a world where ransomware surged 150% in Canada in 2023 alone (CBC), unpatched operating systems are an open door to attackers. Cyber insurers are already flagging unsupported systems as uninsurable. And many compliance standards—from PIPEDA to industry-specific requirements in healthcare and finance—will no longer consider those systems compliant.
The Cost Curve Is About to Get Steep
Here’s what Canadian SMBs are facing:
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Hardware obsolescence: Many existing PCs aren’t compatible with Windows 11 due to TPM 2.0 and CPU requirements (Microsoft Hardware Requirements).
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License pressure: Microsoft is pushing Copilot and per-user licensing. That means new costs and complexity for businesses still on legacy plans.
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Last-minute procurement premiums: If you wait until late 2025, expect hardware shortages, inflated prices, and tight migration timelines.
And let’s not ignore the hidden costs: staff downtime, urgent IT labour, and the distraction from your core operations.
Cyber Security Implications: Legacy Systems Are Targets
Unsupported systems become attack vectors overnight. Tools like CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog (CISA KEV) show how quickly old OS vulnerabilities get weaponised. Even a small office with 10 machines becomes a target if one unpatched device connects to sensitive files or credentials.
For regulated sectors like law, finance, and healthcare, that risk is compounded by compliance exposure. It’s not just about whether you’re breached. It’s whether you did enough to prevent it.
What Should Canadian SMBs Do Now about Windows 10?
This isn’t about panic—it’s about planning. Businesses that start now have time to:
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Create a device refresh roadmap aligned to their budget.
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Evaluate licensing strategies for Windows 11 and Microsoft 365.
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Audit and segment networks to isolate legacy systems until they’re replaced.
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Align with a Managed IT provider who can handle migration, procurement, patching, and endpoint protection at scale.
If you have in-house IT, this is also the perfect moment to look at co-managed IT support. Your team focuses on core systems. F12 handles the rest.
Inflation and IT Skills Gaps
Add two local factors to the urgency:
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Cost pressures: According to Deloitte Canada, the average IT budget increase for SMBs in 2023 was just 4.6% — not enough to absorb a major OS lifecycle shift without forethought.
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Talent shortages: There are tens of thousands of unfilled IT and cyber roles across Canada (ICTC). Most SMBs don’t have the internal capacity to plan and execute this upgrade alone.
Avoid the 2025 Crunch
In the run-up to October 2025, we’ll see the usual surge in demand. Partners will be booked. Prices will spike. And some businesses will take shortcuts that create long-term vulnerabilities.
The smart move? Act now while you still have:
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Time to budget smartly
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Room to choose vendors
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Flexibility to align upgrades with broader Cyber Security goals
F12 clients can start this process with a free IT lifecycle assessment to evaluate their Windows 10 exposure and identify high-risk endpoints.
Final Thought
Every Canadian business will be impacted by Microsoft’s decision—but not all will be blindsided by it. With the right partner and a proactive plan, this can be an opportunity to modernise, not just an emergency to survive.
Let’s plan this on your terms. Not Microsoft’s.
Want help navigating this shift?
F12 is offering a complimentary IT lifecycle assessment for Canadian SMBs running Windows 10. No strings. Just answers.
Book your free assessment here
Windows 10 FAQs
1. What is the deadline for Windows 10 end of support in Canada? Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After that, systems will no longer receive security updates or support.
2. Is it safe to use Windows 10 after October 2025? No. Unsupported systems are highly vulnerable to cyber threats and may cause compliance issues with Cyber Security insurers or privacy regulations.
3. How do I know if my business PCs are compatible with Windows 11? Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements. F12 can perform a compatibility assessment to determine which devices can be upgraded versus replaced.
4. What are the costs of upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for SMBs? Costs vary depending on device age, licensing structure, and deployment strategy. Planning now avoids peak pricing and urgent labour costs later.
5. What’s the best way to plan for Windows 10 end of life? Start with a lifecycle assessment. Create a roadmap for device upgrades, licensing changes, and Cyber Security controls—ideally with a trusted IT partner.
6. Can F12 help us with a Windows 11 upgrade plan? Yes. We offer full-service or co-managed IT support, including lifecycle planning, endpoint protection, procurement, and deployment.
References:
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CBC News, “Ransomware surges in Canada” (2023): https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ransomware-canada-cybersecurity-1.6987426
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Microsoft Processor Requirements: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/windows-processor-requirements
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CISA KEV Catalog: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
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ICTC Labour Market Outlook: https://www.ictc-ctic.ca/
