Ahead of the end-of-support for Windows 10, I ran a LinkedIn poll to ask: why haven’t you upgraded yet?
Bear in mind it was a small poll, not statistically conclusive, but still interesting.
Here’s what came up:
My PC isn’t compatible (40 %)
Technology moves faster now than ever. The notion of holding onto a PC for a decade is largely gone.
- If cost is the barrier, think of a new device as an investment in productivity: faster performance, new features, better compatibility.
- Cyber-risk is no longer theoretical. Unsupported systems are easy targets for attackers. Compromise could open the door to email leaks, identity fraud, or full-blown ransomware.
- If a one-off cost is prohibitive, consider finance or leasing options – many providers let you spread the cost monthly.
Bottom line: The cost of not upgrading (in risk, lost productivity, or breach remediation) almost always outweighs the sticker price.
Unsupported apps/software (20 %)
This is especially common in sectors that use custom or niche software or hardware.
- You might not be able to upgrade immediately. In the meantime, isolate that machine: limit its network access, restrict data flow, use firewalls, remove any admin rights.
- Start planning a transition or reboot of that legacy software in the medium term – modern alternatives may now exist.
- If that’s not feasible, at least ensure backups, segmentation, and monitoring are in place.
No time / unaware (20 %)
- Upgrading a PC may be easier than you think – in many cases, it can be wrapped up in an hour or two.
- If you genuinely can’t find that time, delegate. Hiring or contracting someone to perform the upgrade can save you headaches.
- If you answered unaware, well – you’re now aware. Let’s treat that as the cue to act.
Cost or disruption concerns (20 %)
- In most environments, the process is quite straightforward and low-impact.
- Disruptions are typically minimal – often just a scheduled downtime window of an hour or so.
- If you’re not confident doing it yourself, bring in a professional. The assurance and reduced risk usually justify the cost.
The Reality of Risk
Every device exposed to the internet is probed, scanned, and attacked continuously. Unsupported Windows systems are among the lowest-hanging fruit.
You don’t want to be the person whose sensitive files are stolen, whose identity is cloned, or whose business is held to ransom – all because an upgrade was delayed.
What You Should Do Next
- Schedule your upgrades now -don’t wait.
- Audit your devices – find which machines or software are holding you back.
- Make risk mitigation your priority – segment, isolate, limit.
- Budget proactively – treat IT refresh as part of your operations, not an optional extra.
- Get help if needed – one hour of professional time can save days of headaches or worse.
