In October 2025, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10. Faced with significant upgrade costs and compatibility challenges, many businesses opted for extended support to buy more time. But this is just a temporary fix – and an expensive one at that.
If your organisation is still running Windows 10, now is the time to plan your transition strategy properly.
The Extended Support Dilemma
Purchasing extended support may have provided breathing room, but it comes with significant drawbacks:
- Rising costs: Extended support fees increase annually, making it progressively more expensive to delay
- Temporary protection: You’re still on borrowed time – extended support will eventually end
- No new features: Your systems remain static whilst competitors move forward with Windows 11 capabilities
- Investment without progress: Money spent on extended support delivers no long-term value
Meanwhile, the underlying challenges remain:
- Security vulnerabilities: Once extended support expires, devices become easy targets for malware and cyberattacks, potentially leading to data loss and financial damage
- Compliance issues: Many organisations have strict security standards, and running unsupported software can lead to compliance violations and penalties
- Performance and reliability problems: As software ages, it can become unstable and slow, impacting productivity and user experience
Upgrading to Windows 11, the logical next step, often requires new hardware, as it’s not supported on processors 7th Gen and below. This can lead to significant costs for businesses needing to refresh a large number of devices.
The Sustainable Solution: Refurbished IT
Refurbished laptops and PCs offer a cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative to purchasing brand-new equipment. Here’s why:
- Significant cost savings: Refurbished devices can cost substantially less than new, allowing businesses to upgrade their IT infrastructure without breaking the bank
- Reduced environmental impact: Manufacturing new devices requires significant resources and energy. Choosing refurbished prevents approximately 225kg CO2e emissions per device – a 75% reduction in carbon footprint – and reduces e-waste
- High quality and reliability: Tier1’s BSI Kitemark™ certified refurbishment process ensures that devices are thoroughly tested, data wiped, and upgraded to meet the latest standards
- Windows 11 ready: All our 8th Gen and newer devices are fully Windows 11 compatible
The 80/10/10 Model: A Balanced Approach
For businesses looking to optimise both cost and sustainability, the 80/10/10 model offers a balanced approach:
- 80% New: Replace 80% of your devices with new equipment
- 10% Refurbished (Existing): Refurbish 10% of your existing devices and redeploy them back into the business
- 10% Refurbished (Purchase): Purchase 10% of your devices as refurbished
This model allows businesses to complete their Windows 11 transition whilst minimising costs and environmental impact. Based on an enterprise laptop costing £900, a refurbished device at £350, and refurbishing an existing device for £150, this approach can save approximately £13,000 per 100 devices—a 15% reduction compared to purchasing all new equipment.
Tier1: Your Partner in Sustainable IT Transition
Tier1 is a leading provider of IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) and BSI Kitemark™ certified refurbished hardware solutions. We can help you navigate your Windows 11 transition and develop a sustainable IT strategy that meets your business needs and budget.
Our comprehensive approach to ITAD ensures that we maximise the value of your IT assets at every stage of their lifecycle. We offer:
- Secure data destruction to government standards
- Equipment recovery and remarketing delivering maximum returns
- BSI Kitemark™ certified refurbishment for “like-new” quality
- Environmentally responsible disposal with our zero-landfill policy
All services adhere to the highest industry standards and regulations, with ISO 27001 certification and comprehensive compliance documentation.
Don’t Let Extended Support Become a Costly Dead End
Extended support bought you time – now use it wisely. Contact Tier1 today to discuss your Windows 11 transition strategy and unlock the value of your IT assets whilst meeting your sustainability commitments.
