Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Intuit recommends upgrading to Windows 11 for continued security updates and a more secure experience. Here are your Migration Options.
Your Migration Options
1. Upgrade to Windows 11
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- Best For: Users with compatible hardware seeking the latest features.
- Requirements: Check if your device meets Windows 11 minimum specs (e.g., TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, supported CPU). Visit Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool to verify compatibility.
- Benefits: Enhanced security, modern interface, and ongoing support.
- How to Proceed: Back up your data, then upgrade for free through Windows Update if eligible.
2. Purchase a New Windows 11 Device
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- Best For: Users with older hardware not compatible with Windows 11.
- Benefits: Improved performance, new features, and full compatibility with Windows 11.
3. Consider Extended Security Updates (ESU)
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- Best For: Businesses or users needing more time to transition to Windows 11.
- Details: Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10, providing critical security patches beyond October 2025 for a fee. This is a temporary solution, not a long-term replacement.
- How to Proceed: Contact our sales team at sales@skylinecloud.com for ESU enrollment details.
We’re Here to Help
Transitioning from Windows 10 doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our team is ready to assist with upgrades, device recommendations, or ESU enrollment. Act now to ensure your systems remain secure and supported after October 14, 2025.
Recommended method to install Windows 11
Windows Update in Settings
If upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, Microsoft recommends waiting until Windows Update notifies that the upgrade is ready for the device. To check if Windows 11 is ready for a device using Windows Update, follow these steps:
- Select Start and then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update .OrSelect the following Windows Update shortcut:
- In the Windows Update window that opens, select the Check for updates button.
Note: If there are updates available for the current version of Windows, the Windows 11 upgrade might not be made available until those updates are installed. Install any updates for the current version of Windows, restart the device, and then try checking for the Windows 11 upgrade again.
- If Windows 11 is ready to be installed on the device, a message is displayed in the Windows Update window showing that Windows 11 is ready. Select the Download and install button to start the Windows 11 upgrade.
- In the Software License Terms window that opens, select the Accept and install button.
- The Windows Update window refreshes and Status: shows the progress of the Windows 11 upgrade downloading and installing.
- Once the installation portion of the Windows 11 upgrade is done in Windows 10:
- The Windows Update window refreshes and changes to Restart required. The Status: also updates to Pending restart.
- A Windows Update notification is displayed in the notification area with the message Restart to install the newest Windows feature update.
To continue the Windows 11 upgrade, restart the device by selecting the Restart now button in the Windows Update window or Restart now in the Windows Update notification.
- The device restarts and the Windows 11 upgrade process continues. The device restarts automatically a few more times to finish installing Windows 11.
- The Windows sign-on screen is displayed once the Windows 11 upgrade is done. Sign into the device to complete the upgrade.
If a message isn’t displayed in the Windows Update window that Windows 11 is ready, it could be for one of the following reasons:
- The device meets the hardware requirements for Windows 11, but the Windows 11 upgrade isn’t ready to install yet.
- The device meets the hardware requirements for Windows 11, but there might be a known compatibility issue with the device and Windows 11. The Windows 11 upgrade is eventually offered if the compatibility issue is resolved. For more information, see The notification “What needs your attention” displays during a Windows upgrade.
- The device doesn’t meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. To check the device’s Windows 11 hardware compatibility, use the PC Health Check app available at the following link:How to use the PC Health Check app
The Windows Update window might also instead display the following message:
- Get ready for Windows 11
To see if this PC can run Windows 11, check the hardware requirements or visit your PC manufacturer’ website.
The link Check hardware requirements from this message doesn’t check the Windows 11 hardware compatibility for the device, but instead opens the page Find Windows 11 specs, features, and computer requirements. To manually check if the device meets the minimum hardware requirements, use the PC Health Check available at the following link:
How to use the PC Health Check app
Using Media to upgrade to Windows 11
Preparing Media for Windows 11 Upgrade
Installation media, such as a USB flash drive, can be used to install a new copy of Windows, perform a clean installation of Windows, or reinstall Windows.
To create installation media, go to the software download website, where step-by-step instructions can be found. On that website, you can select a version of Windows and create installation media on ar a USB flash. Alternatively, an ISO file can be created for use in virtual machines (VMs) or for burning the installation media onto a DVD:
Windows 11 Windows 10
- Go to the Download Windows 11 site.
- Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now. The MediaCreationTool.exe tool is downloaded.
- Run MediaCreationTool.exe. The media creation tool walks through creating installation media.
Important: Back up your files before you install or reinstall Windows on your PC. Learn how.
The following items are required to create the installation media:
- A PC with a reliable internet connection. The download time varies depending on the internet connection.
- A USB flash drive. A blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space. It’s recommended to use a blank USB flash drive because any content on the drive is deleted. For VMs, a USB flash drive isn’t required. Instead, an ISO can be created for use in VMs. An ISO can also be used to create the installation media on a DVD.
- A product key. A 25-character product key might be needed (not required for digital licenses). For help with finding the product key, go to Find your Windows product key. Many modern devices contain the product key embedded in the firmware of the device. If the product key is embedded in the firmware of the device, the product key doesn’t need to be entered in manually. Instead, if the product key in the firmware matches the version and edition of Windows being installed, the product key is automatically applied.
After the installation media is created, Windows can be reset or reinstalled. To learn more, go to Recovery options in Windows.