GREENWOOD & GREENVILLE SOUTH CAROLINA – June 26, 2025 - CC&M, a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP), is encouraging business owners to prepare now for the upcoming end-of-life for Windows 10. Small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) that utilize Windows 10 to support their infrastructure will be affected by this on October 14, 2025, and businesses without a plan will be compromised. Starting on that date, Microsoft will officially discontinue all support for the operating system, meaning no more security updates, no feature enhancements, and no technical support. This means organizations will be exposed to security leaks, teams relying on obsolete tools and no ability for anyone to assist.
“If your organization is running Windows 10 after the deadline, you’re gambling with your security, performance, and productivity,” said Rocky Dunkman, Owner/CEO at CC&M. While technology will still function, it will degrade on an accelerated schedule. First, security vulnerabilities will go unpatched, leaving systems wide open to modern cyberattacks. Next, no technical support will be available from Microsoft. No feature or performance updates will be provided, and many organizations may find themselves unable to run critical software or interface with updated platforms, due to incompatibility issues.
“This is where a proactive technology provider like CC&M is invaluable,” said Dunkman. “We manage our customers’ technology 24x7 and help them plan for obsolescence, so they are always secure, supported, and productive. This helps avoid large capital expenditures and maintains productivity across teams and systems. If your current provider hasn’t already started talking to you about a Windows 10 transition, that’s a red flag.”
The biggest surprise for many Windows users is that much of the hardware (aka computers, laptops, servers, etc.) made more than 3-5 years ago will not meet the minimum system requirements for upgrading to Windows 11. This will force many organizations into large, unexpected capital expenditures, especially if they want to keep their teams busy.
“This isn’t just a software update. Most older desktops, laptops, and servers will simply not be compatible with Windows 11,” added Dunkman. “So, if you’ve been trying to stretch your hardware lifecycle just a little longer—you’re officially out of runway.”
The team at CC&M is helping businesses to plan for this transition by following a 4-Step Plan:
1. Determine Windows 11 Compatibility for All Hardware: CC&M strongly advises organizations to evaluate their current hardware to determine Windows 11 compatibility.
2. Develop a roadmap for replacing outdated devices: By taking the time to do this ahead of the deadline, organizations will seamlessly operate.
3. Avoid DIY upgrades: Organizations that forget to plan are often tempted to “do-it-yourself” upgrades, which can result in total data loss, system instability or voiding their cybersecurity insurance.
4. Partner with CC&M: We recommend you work with a certified managed technology services provider like CC&M. The company is ISO 27001 Compliant. Only a handful of providers in the U.S. and Canada are compliant.
While Microsoft will make Windows 11 software freely available, upgrading isn’t as simple as clicking a button. CC&M encourages all existing customers and local businesses to start evaluating their technology infrastructure immediately, rather than wait until the last minute when inventory and support resources may be scarce. “If you’re running on outdated machines and aging servers, this is the moment to invest in your long-term efficiency,” Dunkman concluded. “The older your hardware is, the slower, less secure, and more expensive it becomes to maintain. Let’s use this deadline as an opportunity to upgrade wisely.”
ABOUT Computer Consultants & Merchants Inc (CC&M)
In 1992, Computer Consultants & Merchants was founded to bring technology services and equipment to businesses in the Orlando, Florida area. In 2001 they expanded their footprint by adding offices in Greenwood and later Greenville covering the Upstate of South Carolina. CC&M streamlined the way companies do business, and the Company became successful for its expertise and service. Providing consulting, business acumen, and of course maintenance services that have always included parts and labor for clients.
Computer Consultants has evolved to meet the changing needs of businesses, providing clients with exemplary technology consultation, Business phone Systems, Access Control with Video surveillance, Cyber Security, Managed Print, integration and Managed services are still the core of everything we provide.
Thirty years later CC&M is still doing what it does best, providing its clients with advanced technology solutions and stellar service!