Prepare your fleet for Windows 10 EOL with open optionality

Windows 10 reaches end of support on October 14, 2025. After that date, devices running the OS will no longer receive security updates. As a result, organizations that don’t take action will be exposed to avoidable risks and compliance gaps. Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) can offer temporary coverage, but costs increase each year. Full hardware refreshes, meanwhile, strain budgets and add operational complexity.

SUSE provides a third option. A supported Linux system which gives IT leaders a way to extend hardware life, stay compliant and control their roadmap. It’s a practical option for organizations that need stability now and flexibility for what’s next.

Choose an open path that fits

As Windows 10 end of life approaches, many organizations are weighing trade-offs: continue with ESU and absorb rising costs, or refresh hardware to support Windows 11 and take on upfront spend. Both paths are viable, but each adds cost and complexity.

Linux offers another option — one that helps IT teams set the pace of change. Deploying supported Linux on existing hardware can provide a path to modernizing endpoints that minimizes disruption. It provides greater control over upgrade cycles, procurement timing and platform direction.

Enterprise Linux distributions come with defined support lifecycles and stable maintenance schedules. These aren’t community builds or experiments; they’re production-grade platforms. For organizations looking to stretch their investments and retain ownership of their endpoint strategy, supported open source is a credible, proven path forward.

Fund a roadmap that you control

ESU may provide a temporary buffer, but it also introduces a recurring cost with limited upside. Hardware refreshes, on the other hand, require significant upfront capital and intensive rollout support. By contrast, supported Linux represents a strategic investment. It keeps device lifecycles intact and lowers the pressure to buy new hardware just to meet an OS deadline. 

It also promotes architectural flexibility. With supported Linux, you aren’t forced into a single refresh schedule or constrained by a rigid support model. Instead, you can align platform decisions with your specific device performance, application compatibility and operational priorities. That adaptability facilitates more sustainable endpoint strategies across evolving infrastructure environments.

A supported, open source approach can also help with stabilizing long-term spending. Defined support lifecycles, straightforward licensing and predictable service levels all contribute to clearer budgeting. Fewer surprises mean more control — over when you deploy, as well as when and how it happens. 

Maintain compliance

Security and compliance remain non-negotiable when adopting a new operating system at scale. SUSE Linux Enterprise benefits from defined lifecycles and support models that strengthen endpoint governance.

Update cadences can follow defined schedules, with advance notice and structured testing windows. Patching and vulnerability documentation can help you meet common audit requirements and help teams build repeatable processes. Enterprise desktop options, including SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop, typically follow defined support policies that further strengthen audit readiness and can integrate with your existing AD infrastructure. Support contracts clarify ownership between internal teams and external vendors, reducing ambiguity during escalations or reviews.

In regulated environments, these controls can satisfy even stringent reporting obligations. As digital sovereignty pressures grow — particularly in the EU and in multinational contexts — open platforms offer additional assurance through transparency and portability. Organizations gain security and compliance readiness without compromising operational control by using an operating system that has obtained Common Criteria / EAL4+, FIPS 140-3 and many other certifications.

Plan and run an intentional migration

Quick pilots can be helpful for testing new technologies, even on a tight timeline. A small-scale rollout gives teams space to validate compatibility, performance and user experience before going wider. Start with a specific department or location that has specific, measurable success metrics. Clearly document and define these metrics in advance of the pilot.

Partners like SUSE help organizations tackle major migrations — like moving from proprietary OS environments to supported Linux distributions — through a structured, client-centered approach. SUSE’s methodology balances flexibility with technical rigor and is intentionally designed to de-risk complex transitions. SUSE will empower internal IT teams as full participants in their organizational change.

What’s next for your fleet

Windows 10 end-of-life doesn’t have to trigger another round of forced upgrades. It can be the moment your organization reclaims control, starting with a supported Linux distribution that aligns with your priorities.

With SUSE, you have the tools and support to stay secure, compliant and adaptable. IT teams can extend endpoint lifecycles while also shaping a roadmap that fits long-term plans. Your fleetwide expertise can steadily grow. Your support costs can become more predictable. Across clouds, data centers and regions with evolving regulations, your infrastructure can strategically expand.

Don’t let Windows 10 EOL dictate your IT strategy. With SUSE, you can modernize without compromise. If you’re ready to cut costs, improve compliance and regain control, get in touch. We’re ready to help.