Windows 10 Is Retiring: Here’s How To Upgrade
11th August 2025
Security is especially important in the charity sector. With Windows 10 coming to its end-of-life stage on 14th October 2025, digital charity partner Superhighways has issued a new guide on how to upgrade from Windows 10 to ensure your systems remain secure.
Why Is Windows 10 Being Retired?
Microsoft launched Windows 10 in July 2015. Over the past decade, both security protections and attack methods have evolved considerably. To stay current with these changes, Microsoft introduced Windows 11 and announced the retirement of the former software.
With this retirement, Microsoft will cease providing security updates, bug fixes, and technical support after October 2025. Consequently, your computer will become susceptible to security attacks and increasingly vulnerable to new cyber threats and glitches. Over time, the applications you use may no longer receive updates or function on your device, further exposing you to risks.
How To Upgrade From Windows 10
If your computer(s) use Windows 10, now is the time to start planning an upgrade. This is especially important in the charity sector, as data breaches could expose vulnerable peoples’ information or classified documents. Superhighways is advising an upgrade to Windows 11, and has put together a step-by-step guide to help you and your organisation facilitate the change.
Before making this upgrade, you must ensure your machine meets the requirements for Windows 11:
- Processor: Intel 8th Generation and newer or AMD processor (see below)
- System firmware (BIOS): UEFI and Secure Boot capable.
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
You can refer to the guide to check whether your machine meets the requirements. If your machine does not meet the requirements, Superhighways advises on investing in a new device, and provides a few ways to best plan for digital investments within its guide.
It is important to note that Windows 11 is free to download for existing users of Windows 10. This means this upgrade will come at no additional cost to you or your organisation. Read the full guide here: https://superhighways.org.uk/files/view/tech-support-membership/How_to_upgrade_to_Windows_11.pdf
