Getting your organisation ready for Windows 11 upgrade before Autumn 2025
Summary
The NCSC (Josh D) reminds organisations that Windows 10 reaches end of life on 14 October 2025 and urges firms to prioritise upgrading to Windows 11. The centre has published updated configuration packs to simplify deployment of secure baselines. Key barriers to migration include new Windows 11 hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, UEFI, Secure Boot) that may force hardware replacement, but the upgrade also enables stronger secure-by-default features such as BitLocker, Virtualisation-Based Security (VBS), Secure Launch, improved Windows Hello and native passkey support. The NCSC advises treating necessary hardware refreshes as an opportunity to close device security gaps rather than a mere operational burden.
Key Points
- Windows 10 support ends on 14 October 2025 — remaining on it increases exposure to unpatched vulnerabilities.
- Delaying migration is a clear security risk; legacy OS versions attract more attacker focus and exploitation.
- Windows 11 requires modern hardware features (TPM 2.0, UEFI, Secure Boot); some existing devices may be ineligible to upgrade.
- Windows 11 enables stronger security by default (BitLocker, VBS, Secure Launch, Credential Guard improvements, native passkeys).
- NCSC provides updated configuration packs to help organisations deploy recommended baselines quickly and consistently.
Content summary
The blog explains why organisations should start planning and acting now to upgrade devices to Windows 11 before Windows 10 becomes legacy in October 2025. It highlights both technical blockers (hardware requirements) and the security benefits unlocked by modern hardware and OS features. The post references historical incidents showing the cost of running unsupported systems and positions hardware replacement as a chance to remove device vulnerabilities. The NCSC encourages prioritising migration and using their configuration packs to simplify secure deployments.
Context and relevance
Microsoft’s shift to stricter hardware requirements means many organisations will need to budget for device replacements or find migration pathways for unsupported endpoints. This guidance ties into broader trends: rising ransomware and targeted attacks against outdated systems, and a wider industry push for hardware-rooted security. For IT managers and security teams, the article is practical — it frames the upgrade as both a compliance and risk-mitigation milestone, and points to NCSC configuration packs as an operational aid.
Author style
Punchy: this is a direct nudge from NCSC — if you manage devices, this matters. The piece is short, practical and aimed at getting IT and security teams moving before the support cliff. If you’re responsible for a fleet of endpoints, treat the recommendation as high priority.
Why should I read this?
Quick and simple: Windows 10 support ends in October 2025. If you run devices, you need to know whether they’ll upgrade cleanly, what hardware you must replace, and how Windows 11’s defaults improve security. Read this now to avoid a last-minute scramble (and a juicy target for attackers).