You wouldn’t believe how many versions there are of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Don’t bother to try to count them. Instead, start making a plan to make sure you have the latest version of each throughout your organization and a plan to update on a regular basis.

Let’s look first at Windows 10. As we all know, Microsoft will end its support of this operating system (OS) in October, but there are ways to keep it going with security updates. You have two options to enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for free. That will enable you to receive critical and important security updates from October 15, 2025, through October 13, 2026. You can also enroll in a wizard accessible via notifications and the Settings app.

In order to take advantage of the extended support, you need to know which version of Windows 10 you have on your computer(s) and see if it will be supported. Since its introduction, Microsoft has issued 14 versions of Windows 10, covering office, home, and student versions and updates for each. If you have version 1903 of Windows 10, for example, you won’t be able to receive any updates. To extend your Windows 10 use, you need to have version 22H2.

Depending on your hardware, it may or may not be possible to update your Windows 10 to a version that can work with security updates going forward. To check your Windows version, navigate to Settings > System > About. Under “Windows specifications,” you’ll find the edition and version of your Windows operating system.

Windows 11, by the way, has four versions, with a new one expected this fall.

A key thing to know about Windows – and your app software – is that you used to be able to install newer app software on older versions of Windows. That’s becoming less and less possible. One of our clients learned about that when they couldn’t install a new app their accounting firm had suggested because their Windows version wasn’t compatible.

As we go forward, this is only going to become a more critical issue. Both OS companies, such as Microsoft, and app publishers, will need to meet their customers’ need for more speed to process more data and provide the security measures needed to protect critical data.

Don’t wait until your technology system collapses under the weight of more data and faster-moving environments. We can help you by analyzing your current system – both hardware and OS – with an eye toward your future needs. That will help you develop a plan (and a budget) to make changes with minimal disruptions to your business. Call us – 973-433-6676 – or email us to set an appointment to talk about it.