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Microsoft wants you to pay for updates

Microsoft has announced that starting on 14th October 2025, they will no longer provide free support and security updates for Windows 10.

While the idea of paying for updates might raise some eyebrows, let’s put this into perspective. By 2025, Windows 10 will be a decade old, and Microsoft is likely to have introduced Windows 12. And as we know, Windows 11 is available today.

Supporting multiple old operating systems can be quite a handful, even for a tech giant like Microsoft.

2025 may seem like a way off, and we are sure that for most of our clients this is not applicable but it’s a good idea to start weighing up your options now. Here they are:

Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11

Microsoft’s preferred option is for you to switch to Windows 11. It’s got some fantastic features and free updates until its end of life.

Option 2: Stick with Windows 10 and pay

You can choose to stay with Windows 10, but you’ll need to pay for security updates (no new features, though). The exact cost isn’t known yet. It’ll likely be a subscription for monthly updates.

Option 3: Stick with Windows 10 and don’t update it

Sure, you can continue using Windows 10 without paying, but this isn’t advisable. Without updates, your business’s PCs will become vulnerable to threats and security issues. And without Microsoft’s support to fix problems, even tech experts like us have nowhere to go for help. Please don’t take this option!

You’ve got until October 2025 to decide, so there’s no rush. But if you want your business to thrive this year, we’d highly recommend upgrading to Windows 11 sooner than later. You’ll immediately benefit from some features that could improve your processes and make your team’s jobs easier.

If you’re considering the move to Windows 11, or exploring other options, we’re here to help make the transition smooth and hassle-free. Get in touch.

Each asset has an associated cost, and you want to maximize any investment by ensuring that equipment is being used properly by the right people. Asset management is also a key component of overall risk management as it ensures that your business only uses supported and compliant devices.

Single Order Generic Ethernet Access, or SOGEA for short, is a type of broadband internet connection that provides a dedicated Ethernet connection directly from a customer’s premises to the internet service provider’s (ISP) network.

SOGEA allows customers to connect to the internet using only a single order, which includes both the broadband service and the telephone line rental. This means that customers can use the same telephone line for both voice calls and internet access, without the need for a separate Openreach phone line.

One of the benefits of SOGEA is that it can provide a faster and more reliable connection than traditional broadband options such as ADSL, which rely on copper telephone lines. SOGEA is also a good option for customers who don’t need a traditional phone service, but still require high-speed internet access.

SOGEA is currently available in the United Kingdom, and it’s expected to become a more widely used broadband option as more internet service providers adopt it.

Starlink internet is a revolutionary new way to connect to the internet that is fast, reliable, and available virtually anywhere in the world.

With Starlink, you can say goodbye to slow, unreliable internet connections and hello to high-speed internet that delivers download speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Best of all, Starlink uses advanced satellite technology to provide internet access to areas that are traditionally underserved or completely without internet access. Whether you’re living in a rural area, traveling on the road, or just tired of slow internet speeds, Starlink has the solution you’ve been looking for.

Our leased line product is a dedicated, private telecommunications circuit that provides a direct and continuous connection between two points, typically used for internet access, voice communications, or data transfer.

One of the main benefits of a leased line is the reliability and consistency it offers, as it guarantees a fixed bandwidth and symmetric upload and download speeds, without sharing with other users. This makes it ideal for businesses that require high levels of connectivity and bandwidth, such as those that use cloud services or require large file transfers. Additionally, our leased lines offer improved security, as they are not vulnerable to interference or hacking from external sources, unlike shared broadband connections. Lastly, leased our lines come with a service level agreements (SLAs), which provide guarantees for uptime and response times, ensuring a high level of customer service and support.

Ethernet First Mile (EFM) is a technology that enables high-speed, dedicated internet access over traditional copper-based infrastructure. Specifically, EFM refers to the use of Ethernet technology to provide connectivity from a customer’s premises to the service provider’s network.

In traditional broadband access, a customer’s connection to the provider’s network typically involves a shared medium such as cable or DSL. With EFM, the customer’s connection is dedicated, meaning that they have a direct, uncontended connection to the provider’s network.

EFM is often used to provide high-speed internet access to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as remote or underserved areas. It can offer speeds of up to 35 Mbps over distances of up to 10 kilometers, depending on the quality of the copper infrastructure.

Overall, EFM is a cost-effective solution for businesses that require reliable, high-speed internet connectivity but cannot access fiber-based solutions due to geographical or economic limitations.

FTTC stands for Fiber to the Cabinet, which is a type of internet broadband technology. It involves running a high-speed fiber optic cable from the internet service provider (ISP) to a street cabinet, which is usually located on the side of a road or a pavement, and then using the existing copper telephone lines to connect homes and businesses to the cabinet.

The distance between the cabinet and the property can affect the speed of the internet connection. The closer the property is to the cabinet, the faster the internet speed.

FTTC can provide faster internet speeds compared to ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) technology, which uses copper telephone lines for both download and upload data. FTTC can offer download speeds of up to 80 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, depending on the quality of the copper telephone lines and the distance between the property and the cabinet.

FTTC is often used as an interim solution while ISPs work on providing full fiber connections to homes and businesses.