Information for Aspire customers

With Windows 10 End of Support approaching, Aspire will be supporting our RealCare Complete customers through the process of transitioning seamlessly to Windows 11.

RealCare Complete Customers:
If you are an existing Aspire RealCare Complete customer, we will be in touch within 1-2 months to discuss your upgrade, which Aspire will fully manage on your behalf.

RealCare Infrastructure or Infrastructure and User Customers:
If you are a non-Real Care Complete customer we will be in touch to advise on upgrading your devices over the next 1-2 months.

Not yet an Aspire customer?
If you are not currently an Aspire customer, our team can talk you through our RealCare Complete managed IT support service. Our comprehensive solution ensures your devices are always up-to-date and maintained to Microsoft best practices.

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What does Windows 10 end of support mean?

Windows 10, was first released in 2015 and has been an extremely popular operating system, in-line with Microsoft’s operating system lifecycle on October 14, 2025 Windows 10 will go end of support.

The operating system end of support means that after this date, Microsoft will stop offering free updates, technical support, or security patches for Windows 10.

Without security patches, systems become highly vulnerable to new strains of viruses, malware, and ransomware attacks. Cybercriminals often target outdated software, knowing it lacks the latest defences. 

This end of support marks a crucial moment for businesses and requires preparation to transition to Windows 11.

After the end of support date, Windows 10 will continue to work, but that doesn’t mean you should continue to use it. It will become more and more vulnerable to exploit as security updates cease and using it post end of support will become ever more risky.

What can you do to prepare?

You may currently have a mix of Windows 10 and Windows 11 within your environment already, in which case confirming that your core business applications work correctly on Windows 11 with those devices is important. If you do not have any Windows 11 devices then testing the upgrade of a device and the functionality of your applications is key.

Windows 11 has some specific hardware requirements that you can find at Microsoft Learn | Windows 11 Requirements.

Whilst this is the minimum requirement, at Aspire for a Microsoft Modern Desktop utilising the Modern Workplace suite of applications we recommend:

  • A supported CPU, intel i3,i5,i7,i9 10th Generation or higher or the relevant AMD equivalent
  • At least 8GB of RAM
  • At least 128GB SSD
  • Support for Secure Boot
  • Support for Trusted Platform Module 2.0
  • Meet the UEFI standard

You should take an inventory of your devices and match them against these requirements. You can gather the compliance of your devices against these requirements via your RMM tool or with Intune. Any devices that do not meet the minimum requirements should be replaced. You have a decision to make on the devices that do meet the minimum requirements but not the recommended.

At this stage it is important to communicate to your users that this change is coming and what the differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, it may seem insignificant to us in an IT role but for an end user there are some key differences that exist.

Upgrading to Windows 11

There are two options to transition your devices to Windows 11:

  • In-place Upgrade – Installing Windows 11 over your existing Windows 10 keeps your files, settings, and applications intact. This method replaces the old OS with the new one without data loss or reinstalling programs.
  • Rebuild – This involves a clean installation of Windows 11, erasing your hard drive for a fresh start. It eliminates previous issues but requires data backup, app reinstallation, and settings reconfiguration, which can be time-consuming.

If you started with a clean installation and set of configurations for your devices during their initial deployment and you are not suffering from any performance issues related to a bloated installation, then an in-place upgrade is recommended. You can carry these out via your existing RMM or Intune with minimal configuration for your IT admins and minimal disruption for users.

If you are suffering from a bloated desktop image and you want to give your devices a fresh start then rebuilding may be the most suitable option, the downside of this is a large administrative overhead to carry out the work and potential disruption to your users.

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FAQ's

  • Will Aspire support my Windows 11 upgrade?

    Aspire will support our RealCare Complete customers to do in-place upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11. That means we will handle the complete upgrade to avoid any downtime.

  • When does Windows 10 end of support arrive?

    The Windows 10 end of support will take place on October 14, 2025. After this, there will be no updates, technical support, or security patches for Windows 10.

  • Can I keep using Windows 10 after the end of support date?

    Although Windows 10 will continue to work, it will become increasingly less secure as patches and updates cease. If your applications are not compatible with Windows 11 you do have the option to purchase extended support from Microsoft. We would only recommend this as a last resort. Other software providers may stop their support for Windows 10, as an example if this is a security application your devices may not be protected even though they have the latest Windows security patches.

  • If I purchase RealCare Complete will I receive upgrade support?

    Yes, all RealCare Complete customers will be supported through the Windows 11 updates. Our centrally managed IT support service means your devices are managed and maintained to Microsoft best practices, keeping you secure and operating efficiently.