Windows 10 Loyalty: Why IT Pro Still Prefers It

Windows 10 support Ends, But IT professionals Remain Hesitant too Upgrade

Despite Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, a significant portion of IT professionals are continuing to use the operating system, driven by a clear preference for free security updates and a slower-than-expected transition to Windows 11. The data reveals a complex landscape of user choices, security risks, and manufacturer concerns.

A recent survey conducted by ITdaily last month, involving 285 respondents, sheds light on the post-support situation. The findings indicate that the end of life for Windows 10 hasn’t triggered a mass exodus to its successor.

Did you know? – Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for Windows 10 in 2020,but continued providing security updates until october 14,2025. This extended support period aimed to ease the transition for users.

Slow Adoption of Windows 11

The shift to windows 11 has been gradual. According to the survey, 40 percent of IT professionals have either acquired new PCs pre-loaded with Windows 11 or proactively upgraded their existing systems. An additional 9 percent reported not using Windows at all, leaving a considerable 51 percent still operating on Windows 10 after the support deadline. “Whether this is a matter of not wanting to or not being able to upgrade will be diffrent for every user,” one analyst noted.

broader market trends corroborate this slow uptake. Statcounter estimates that approximately 40 percent of pcs globally are still running windows 10. This slower adoption rate hasn’t gone unnoticed by PC manufacturers. Dell has stated that Windows 11 adoption is “ten to twelve percent” behind the transition from Windows 8 to Windows 10.

Pro tip: – Before upgrading to Windows 11, check your PCS compatibility using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. This ensures a smoother transition and avoids potential hardware issues.

The Appeal of Free Security Updates

Microsoft offered users, particularly those in the EU, options for Extended Security Updates (ESU), both paid and free.The survey reveals a strong inclination towards the latter. A total of 31 percent of respondents have enrolled in the ESU program, but the distribution is uneven.Only 2 percent opted for the three-year paid support, geared towards business users, while a more substantial 29 percent chose the free extended support, providing one additional year of security patches.

However,a concerning 19 percent of IT professionals are continuing to use Windows 10 without any form of support. This practice introduces significant security risks, as users will no longer receive critical patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities, which are identified on a regular basis.

A Preference for Cost-effective Solutions

The data clearly demonstrates a preference for cost-effective solutions. The overwhelming choice of free extended support over paid options underscores the financial considerations influencing IT professionals’ decisions. This trend highlights the importance of accessible security measures for maintaining a secure computing surroundings.

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Reader question: – What factors, beyond cost, are preventing IT professionals from upgrading to Windows 11? Share your thoughts and experiences.

For those seeking alternatives, options like tiny11, a streamlined version of Windows 11, are emerging as potential solutions for users facing upgrade challenges.

Readers interested in exploring the results of previous polls conducted by ITdaily can find an overview [here](link to overview).

Why, Who, What, and How did it end?

* Why: IT professionals are hesitant to upgrade from Windows 10 due to a preference for cost-effective solutions (specifically free security updates) and potential upgrade challenges.
* Who: The primary actors are IT professionals, Microsoft, PC