Why Businesses Must Upgrade to Windows 11 ASAP: The Microsoft Teams Reality After October 10, 2025
As the clock ticks toward October 14, 2025, the end of support for Windows 10, many organizations are facing a critical decision: stay on a familiar OS or transition to Windows 11. While Microsoft has extended security updates for Microsoft 365 apps (including Teams) on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028, this grace period comes with serious limitations—and risks.
Microsoft Teams on Windows 10: What Changes After October 2025?
Microsoft Teams will technically continue to function on Windows 10 after the OS reaches end-of-support. However, this is not full support. Here's what businesses need to know:
No feature updates: Teams and other Microsoft 365 apps will be frozen at Version 2608, receiving only security patches.
Limited customer support: If issues arise that are unique to Windows 10, Microsoft will not log bugs or offer product updates. Instead, users will be advised to upgrade to Windows 11.
Performance and reliability risks: Microsoft warns that running Teams on an unsupported OS may lead to degraded performance and reliability.
Why Windows 11 Is the Future for Microsoft Teams
Upgrading to Windows 11 isn't just about staying current—it's about unlocking the full potential of Microsoft Teams and the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Here's why:
1. Enhanced Security
Windows 11 is built with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and hardware-based isolation, offering stronger protection against modern cyber threats. This is crucial for Teams, which handles sensitive communications and data.
2. AI-Powered Productivity
Windows 11 integrates AI tools that enhance collaboration in Teams—like intelligent meeting summaries, real-time transcription, and smart task automation.
3. Future Compatibility
New Teams features and integrations will be designed for Windows 11. Staying on Windows 10 means missing out on innovations like Copilot for Teams, advanced meeting analytics, and next-gen collaboration tools.
4. Compliance and Insurance Risks
Running Teams on an unsupported OS could violate cyber insurance policies or industry compliance standards, potentially leading to denied claims or increased premiums.
The Cost of Delay
While Microsoft offers a three-year security update buffer, delaying the upgrade to Windows 11 can result in:
Increased IT support costs
Reduced employee productivity
Security vulnerabilities
Loss of access to new Teams features
Final Thoughts: Start Planning Now
Migrating to Windows 11 takes time—especially for organizations with legacy hardware or complex IT environments. Begin your Windows 11 readiness assessment now, and ensure your Teams deployment remains secure, supported, and future-proof.