If a Windows 10 computer is still in daily use in 2026, treat it as a managed transition project, not a background annoyance. Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025. Microsoft now points remaining users toward Windows 11, eligible Extended Security Updates, or replacement planning.
For Sydney homes and small businesses, the right move depends on what the computer does. A family laptop used for web browsing is different from a clinic reception PC, a trades office desktop with accounting software, or a retail computer connected to a label printer and EFTPOS workflow.
| Situation in 2026 | Best next step | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| PC meets Windows 11 requirements and has enough storage | Back up, update firmware/drivers, then upgrade | Check printers, scanners, VPN, and business apps before relying on it |
| PC is important but cannot be upgraded immediately | Enrol in eligible ESU and schedule replacement | ESU is temporary and does not turn old hardware into a long-term platform |
| PC is slow, has a failing drive, or lacks TPM 2.0 | Replace or retire it after data backup | Spending labour on marginal hardware can cost more than replacement |
| Business has several Windows 10 devices | Inventory, prioritise high-risk machines, and migrate in batches | Reception, finance, and remote-access PCs should move first |
| Device controls specialist equipment | Isolate risk and confirm vendor support before changing it | Some older software or peripherals may need a planned workaround |
Why Windows 10 matters now
Unsupported operating systems become harder to protect because normal vendor patches and support are no longer available. The Australian Cyber Security Centre's system management guidance says unsupported applications, operating systems, network devices, and networked IT equipment should be removed or replaced, with compensating controls used only when immediate replacement is not possible.
That matters for ordinary Sydney environments. A single unsupported PC can still hold saved passwords, synced browser sessions, email, client files, tax records, photos, remote support tools, and access to cloud storage.
Step 1: Make a simple device list
Start with a plain inventory. You do not need a complex asset system for a small site. Record:
- Device owner or location
- Windows version and whether Windows Update is working
- Age, model, storage type, and any obvious faults
- What the device is used for
- Whether it stores or syncs important files
- Printers, scanners, label makers, NAS drives, VPNs, or specialist apps connected to it
- Whether it can be upgraded to Windows 11
For a small business, prioritise devices used for email, finance, client records, bookings, remote access, admin portals, and shared files. For a home, prioritise computers used for banking, identity documents, work logins, school accounts, photos, and backups.
Step 2: Check Windows 11 compatibility before buying parts
Windows 11 has minimum hardware requirements including a supported 64-bit processor, 4 GB or more of memory, 64 GB or more of storage, UEFI Secure Boot capability, TPM 2.0, and compatible graphics. Some older computers are fast enough for basic work but still fail the Windows 11 security requirements.
Do not assume a RAM upgrade or SSD will make a PC eligible. Those upgrades can help performance, but they will not fix an unsupported processor or missing TPM requirement. Check compatibility first, then decide whether upgrade labour is worthwhile.
Step 3: Back up before upgrade or replacement
Before touching the operating system, confirm the backup. At minimum, protect:
- Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and any custom folders
- Browser bookmarks and saved business portals
- Outlook data that is not fully synced to Microsoft 365 or another mail host
- Accounting, practice management, label printing, estimating, or quoting software data
- Password manager recovery details and MFA methods
- Printer/scanner configuration notes and Wi-Fi details
For small businesses, take a sample restore seriously. A backup is not proven until a file can be recovered and opened on another machine.
Step 4: Decide between upgrade, ESU, replacement, or retirement
There are four practical choices.
| Choice | Good for | Not good for |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrade to Windows 11 | Compatible PCs that are healthy and still worth keeping | PCs with failing hardware, low storage, unsupported CPUs, or old specialist drivers |
| Use Extended Security Updates | Short-term transition where the device still has a business reason to exist | Avoiding a migration plan indefinitely |
| Replace the computer | Old, slow, unsupported, or business-critical PCs | Situations where a specialist device only works with an older vendor setup |
| Retire or repurpose offline | Spare PCs, old family laptops, single-purpose archive machines | Any device still used for email, banking, cloud files, or remote access |
Microsoft's consumer ESU information says enrolled Windows 10 devices can receive critical and important security updates after end of support until the ESU program ends. Microsoft also has commercial ESU guidance for organisations. Read the exact eligibility terms before relying on ESU for a business fleet.
Step 5: Check Microsoft 365 and business apps
Microsoft says Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 will continue receiving security updates for a transition period ending on 10 October 2028, but it still recommends moving to Windows 11 to avoid reliability and performance issues over time.
That distinction is important. Microsoft 365 may keep working, but the underlying Windows 10 device still needs a security plan. Also check non-Microsoft apps: accounting software, medical or allied health systems, POS tools, CAD, VPN clients, printer utilities, and older browser plugins.
Step 6: Plan the Sydney onsite details
Many Windows upgrades can be prepared remotely, but onsite support is often better when the job includes several computers, backup drives, printers, scanners, Wi-Fi, or a small office changeover.
Common Sydney scenarios include:
- Apartment home offices where Wi-Fi, printer location, and desk setup all need to work after the replacement
- Small retail or clinic reception desks with USB label printers, scanners, and payment workflows
- Trades and professional services businesses with one finance/admin PC that must be migrated without losing email archives or templates
- Family computers with photos, school accounts, OneDrive, and mixed local/cloud files
Current seeded service pricing in this site lists a 45-minute remote support session at $49, residential computer repairs at $149 for a 60-minute onsite booking, and delivery and installation at $179. Use those as booking starting points only; parts, replacement computers, software licences, and out-of-scope work should be quoted separately.
A practical migration checklist
Use this sequence before the old PC is wiped, recycled, or left unplugged in a cupboard:
- Confirm the device role and risk level.
- Run Windows Update and check the Windows version.
- Check Windows 11 compatibility.
- Back up local files and verify a sample restore.
- Export or document app settings, printer names, Wi-Fi details, and licence information.
- Confirm Microsoft 365, email, MFA, and password manager access.
- Upgrade, enrol in ESU, replace, or retire the device.
- Test email, browser access, documents, printers, scanners, backups, and line-of-business apps.
- Remove old saved passwords and sign out of accounts before disposal or handover.
When to get help
Get support before starting if the computer has the only copy of important data, if the disk is making noise, if BitLocker recovery keys are unknown, if Microsoft 365 access depends on an old phone, or if the device runs business-critical software.
Everyday Computing can help Sydney homes and small businesses assess Windows 10 devices, back up files, check Windows 11 readiness, migrate data, set up replacement PCs, and handle remote or onsite troubleshooting when printers, accounts, or apps need testing after the change.