5 reasons why freelancers and solopreneurs need to move away from Windows 10 as soon as possible

Date:
Fri, 17 Oct 2025 11:04:00 +0000

Description:
Windows 10 has reached end of life, so relying on it could put your data, projects, and business at risk.

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When youre self-employed or running your own business as a solopreneur, its easy to forget about technology when youre concentrating on dozens of jobs
all competing for your attention.

But with Windows 11 packed with new features that prioritize productivity ,
we recommend taking some time out from those urgent tasks and upgrading to
the latest version of Microsofts operating system. It might take a little while, but it will also help you elevate your work, your reputation, and your chance of success.

Its even more critical now that weve passed October 14th, too because
Windows 10 support has now ended . By continuing to use the older OS, youre opening your business, your clients and your personal files up to security risks, and you may suffer from productivity problems and more issues, too.

If youre a freelancer or solopreneur who hasnt upgraded to Windows 11, then dont worry youve still got time. And if youve not made up your mind, here
are five crucial reasons why you should consider making the switch as soon as possible. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Its a serious security risk

Because weve passed October 14 2025, Windows 10 is no longer receiving security updates , bug fixes or any technical support, even if serious vulnerabilities are found within the system.

And when you combine the lack of security fixes with the sheer number of people still using Windows 10 estimated to be a mighty 21 million at the start of October 2025 you can be sure that hackers will be scanning for vulnerable operating systems, new loopholes and fresh ways to attack devices.

When even one unfixed vulnerability can be exploited globally by hackers within hours, that could be a serious issue for any freelancer or solopreneur still running Windows 10 devices.

If youre a freelancer or a solopreneur, your Windows 10 devices will undoubtedly contain invoices and financial information and potentially sensitive client data. If you use your device beyond your working life, too, that PC or laptop may also contain your personal information.

An attack that compromises your systems and gains access to potentially sensitive information can cause significant stress and embarrassment, slowing you down while you recover your systems. Thats not all, either: a breach can cause you and your business to suffer reputational damage.

Cyber attacks can be costly: over 50% of freelancers have reported experiencing security breaches, and recovery can cost thousands of dollars.

If youre not quite ready to upgrade, Microsofts Extended Security Updates
will continue to provide critical Windows 10 security updates. Theyre going
to be made available for three years, but theres a cost for every device you want to protect and the cost rises every year.

Microsoft intends these updates to be a short-term fix to help people secure more time for their Windows 11 upgrades, so dont see this as a long-term solution to keep your business devices running on Windows 10.

We dont recommend relying on third-party security software, either. While the best antivirus and security tools can detect and block many threats, they
cant fix core operating system vulnerabilities, and those are what hackers will be targeting with Windows 10. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Itll be
harder to work on Windows 10

If you insist on using Windows 10, then you risk running into software compatibility problems.

As Windows 10 usage drops and Windows 11 becomes even more prominent,
software developers will inevitably stop releasing software for the system. They will probably stop testing and optimizing existing apps for the OS.

Consider how much third-party software you use in your day-to-day life as a freelancer or solopreneur, especially if you use that device for work and personal use.

From cloud storage tools and creative suites to word processors and
accounting software , all of those apps come from third-party developers. And as they stop optimizing and updating apps for Windows 10, your software could slow down, become less stable and expose your devices to security vulnerabilities that just arent fixed. This is also true of web browsers , which will suffer from security and plugin support issues.

You wont get access to new features, many of which will take advantage of Windows 11s upgrades and integrations because theyre not available on
Windows 10.

Its not just about software, either. Component manufacturers will eventually prioritize driver updates for Windows 11 devices. In time, they may stop releasing driver updates for Windows 10 completely. That means you could lose compatibility and stability across a wide range of devices, from webcams and microphones to printers and even motherboard features.

We understand that its difficult to change a routine that works, especially when youve successfully built a business or a self-employed career using a Windows 10 device full of familiar apps and devices.

But as software and hardware support for Windows 10 fades, youll spend more time dealing with slower software, features that dont work and new bugs and time you spend troubleshooting issues or finding new apps is time that could be spent earning money instead.

A move to Windows 11 might be initially awkward, but its still an easier option than trying to work on a Windows 10 device that slowly loses its functionality. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Windows 11 has loads of new productivity features

So far weve concentrated on the security and software issues that may emerge if you stay on Windows 10 and theyre good reasons. But also consider that moving to Windows 11 can unlock new levels of productivity for your business thanks to a wave of new features.

The first? Microsoft Copilot . This AI-powered digital assistant can accelerate productivity by tackling some of your repetitive tasks, like summarizing emails or drafting documents so you can concentrate on high-value work.

The full version of Copilot is available for Microsoft 365 users, with a
basic version available for anyone with a Microsoft account. If youve got a Copilot+ PC it works across most Microsoft Office Suite apps, so its normally going to be available to support your business ambitions.

Thats not the only feature in Windows 11 that can support freelancers and solopreneurs. Snap layouts help you juggle multiple apps and virtual desktops can help you keep your projects organized.

Microsoft has loaded Windows 11 with useful voice-to-text features, a smarter clipboard, and improved focus modes to help you concentrate on the work that matters alongside dozens of UI improvements and enhanced features that will make your working life smoother and more productive. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Windows 11 has much better performance, too

Windows 11 doesnt just include visible software improvements that could improve your productivity. The OS has plenty of features and enhancements in the background that will make life easier while youre working.

Improved standby modes with faster resumptions and smoother network connections mean that life is easier for freelancers and solopreneurs moving between home, offices, client sites and co-working spaces.

Window 11s smarter, adaptive energy-saving modes do a better job of managing device power usage, which can mean longer battery life in laptops. You may even enjoy potential reductions in household bills because youre using less electricity.

And if you need more power, Windows 11 can dynamically adjust CPU and GPU performance depending on your workflow, so the components will provide more grunt in challenging tasks.

One of the more recent updates to Windows 11, named 24H2 , introduced a wave of additional performance improvements.

Thanks to operating system optimizations introduced in 24H2, Microsoft says that monthly updates can install up to 45% faster than on older versions of the OS while using 25% less of your devices processing power and that device reboot times are 40% improved, too.

Smarter laptop battery charging improves long-term battery health, which can boost device lifespans, and 24H2 also included smarter memory prioritization and improved update reliability. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Its important
to stay compliant, secure and trustworthy

Upgrading to Windows 11 is important for freelancers and solopreneurs because of the message it sends out into the world. You might think that sounds silly or dramatic, but hear us out.

Clients want to work with people who are reliable and trustworthy, and a move to Windows 11 shows that youre committed to professionalism and security.

Anyone employing a freelancer or a solopreneur will expect them to protect data and systems, so running a secure and up-to-date OS will give them confidence that you can be trusted. Some clients will even expect you to sign contracts that demand up-to-date systems, especially in the public sector or the finance industry.

There are considerations beyond those personal relationships, too. Insecure devices running older operating systems and using unsupported software can potentially breach data-compliance regulations, and thats the last thing you want when youre trying to convince potential clients to trust you with sensitive data.

Think about the future, too: by using Windows 11, youre using the latest baseline for software, hardware and driver development. That means youll
enjoy full functionality and performance from software, components and
updates you install in the future. Youll also get access to all of Microsofts latest OS features. Its time to upgrade sooner rather than later

An upgrade to Windows 11 might cause some short-term issues while you adjust to a new operating system, but its vital for freelancers and solopreneurs who want to ensure success in the years to come.

By upgrading, youll give yourself the best chance of staying secure, you can use the latest software, and youll present a trustworthy and well-organized image to the world important when you want to win new business.

And the sooner you upgrade the easier the transition will be.

An upgrade to Windows 11 is relatively straightforward and, for most Windows 10 users, its free and, thanks to loads of features that boost productivity, performance and security, its essential for freelancers and solopreneurs who take their business as seriously as their computing.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/5-reasons-why-freelancers-and-solo preneurs-need-to-move-away-from-windows-10-as-soon-as-possible


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