Still Using Windows 10? How to Choose Between ESU, an Upgrade, and Device Replacement

The computer still turns on. Employees can open their email, access files, and use the programs they need.

That can make the end of Windows 10 support feel less urgent than it really is.

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Computers running it no longer receive standard security updates, feature updates, or general technical support.

Business owners now have three possible paths: upgrade the device to Windows 11, cover it temporarily with Extended Security Updates, or replace it.

You may need a different answer for each computer.

A newer laptop could be ready for Windows 11 today. A computer connected to production equipment may need more time. An aging desktop that already causes problems may be ready for replacement.

A device-by-device review can help you make those decisions without replacing equipment that still has useful life.

Begin with a list of your Windows 10 devices

Start by identifying every business computer that still runs Windows 10.

For each device, record:

• Who uses it
• The work it supports
• Which applications are installed
• What printers, scanners, or equipment it connects to
• Whether it meets the Windows 11 requirements
• Its age, condition, and warranty status
• How long you expect to keep it

This information puts the technical decision into context. A five-year-old computer used for occasional administrative tasks may receive a different recommendation from a computer that controls a production process every day.

When should you upgrade a device to Windows 11?

Microsoft provides minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11. Its PC Health Check tool can help determine whether an individual computer qualifies.

For a larger group of devices, create a complete readiness list before scheduling the upgrades. Check the processor, memory, storage, and required security features for each computer.

Then review how the device is used.

An upgrade may make sense when the computer:

• Meets the Windows 11 requirements
• Remains in good working condition
• Has useful life left
• Supports the employee’s required applications
• Works with connected printers, scanners, and equipment

Test Windows 11 on a small group of computers first. Choose devices that represent the different roles, applications, and equipment used across the company.

Keep a record of what was tested and any issues that appeared. That information will help you plan the remaining upgrades.

When does ESU make sense?

Extended Security Updates, commonly called ESU, gives a business more time to transition a Windows 10 device.

Commercial ESU is a paid annual program that provides critical and important security updates. It doesn’t add new features or include general Windows technical support.

The program is cumulative. A company that begins coverage in the second year must also pay for the first year. Commercial organizations can receive ESU for a maximum of three years after Windows 10 support ended.

ESU may be useful when:

• A business application isn’t ready for Windows 11
• A computer connects to specialized equipment that still needs to be tested
• Replacement equipment has a long purchasing or installation timeline
• A busy operating period makes an immediate change difficult
• The company needs to spread upgrades and purchases across several budget periods

Write down why each computer is being placed on ESU. Include the issue that needs to be resolved and the date when the decision will be reviewed again.

That gives the temporary coverage a clear purpose and timeline.

When should you replace the computer?

Hardware condition deserves its own review.

A computer may already be slow, unreliable, out of warranty, or expensive to maintain. Installing a newer operating system won’t correct physical wear or improve outdated components.

Replacement may make sense when:

• The computer can’t support Windows 11
• It’s approaching the end of its expected life
• Employees regularly experience performance problems
• Repair costs are increasing
• The hardware no longer supports required software
• ESU and maintenance would add cost without providing enough additional life

Compare the cost of keeping the device with the cost of replacing it. Include ESU licensing, expected repairs, employee downtime, and the likelihood that a replacement will still be needed soon.

The replacement should also fit the employee’s role. Someone using email and basic office applications may need a different computer from an employee running design, engineering, or production software.

Check the applications and equipment connected to each device

Before upgrading a Windows 10 computer, look at everything the employee uses with it.

A front-desk computer may depend on a scanner or label printer. A machine on the production floor may connect to equipment that requires an older driver. An accounting computer may run software that needs an update from the vendor.

Confirm that important applications support Windows 11. Check drivers, licenses, and connected equipment as part of the same review.

If you’re unsure, contact the software or equipment vendor before scheduling the change. Ask which versions are supported and whether an update or new driver is required.

Record the answer with the device. That helps the person completing the upgrade understand what must be tested afterward.

Give every device a decision and a date

Once the review is complete, place each Windows 10 device into one of three categories:

• Upgrade: The device is healthy, compatible, and ready for Windows 11.
• ESU: The device needs temporary coverage while a specific issue is resolved.
• Replace: The hardware can’t support Windows 11 or has reached the end of its useful life.

Each device should have a recommended path, the reason behind it, known dependencies, an estimated cost, and a target date.

Use that information to build a schedule around your operating calendar and budget. Production computers may need to be handled during planned downtime. Office laptops may be completed in groups. Hardware purchases can be spread across the appropriate budget periods.

When you need help sorting through the options

Reviewing one computer may be manageable. Working through every device, application, and equipment dependency across the company can require more time and technical detail.

Links Technology can help inventory your Windows 10 devices, assess their readiness for Windows 11, and identify the applications or equipment that may affect the transition.

From there, Links can help group the equipment into the three available paths and plan the work around your operating schedule and budget.

If Windows 10 computers are still part of your business, Links can help you understand which devices need attention and what the next step should be for each one.