By Julie Bays

The countdown is on for legal professionals relying on outdated technology. Law firms have just over two months left before Microsoft officially ends support for Windows 10 on Oct. 14. That date marks the end of security updates and patches for one of the most widely used operating systems in the legal profession. If your office is still running Windows 10, especially on older machines that can’t be upgraded to Windows 11, then now is the time to act. Continuing to use unsupported systems after the deadline poses serious risks to client confidentiality, cybersecurity compliance and ethical obligations.

WHAT ‘END OF SUPPORT’ REALLY MEANS

On Oct. 14, Microsoft will cease to provide all forms of support for Windows 10, including critical security updates, regular patches and even technical assistance. While your computer may appear to run as usual after this date, beneath the surface, it will be increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. Any new security flaws discovered by hackers will go unaddressed, leaving your system – and, by extension, your clients’ sensitive data – at significant risk.

The consequences are not hypothetical. When Windows 7 and XP reached their end-of-support dates, cybercriminals wasted no time exploiting well-known vulnerabilities that were left unpatched.[1] For example, the infamous WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 spread rapidly through organizations that had failed to update from unsupported systems, causing widespread disruption and financial losses in both the private and public sectors.

Law firms are prime targets for hackers due to the confidential, high-value information they manage. Outdated infrastructure opens the door to a range of attacks; malware infections, ransomware, data breaches and unauthorized access can all occur more easily when an operating system is no longer being actively secured. Even with antivirus software and firewalls in place, unsupported systems become the weakest link in your cybersecurity chain.

The end of support for Windows 10 represents a hard stop, not a gentle fade-out. Continuing to use these systems after Oct. 14 is not just a technical or operational decision; this matter directly impacts your firm’s ability to safeguard client data, comply with professional standards and avoid costly security incidents.

THE ETHICAL AND COMPLIANCE RISKS

Beyond the technical concerns, the continued use of unsupported software raises ethical red flags. Rule 1.1 of the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct requires lawyers to maintain competence, which includes understanding the “benefits and risks associated with relevant technology.”

The duty of confidentiality under Rule 1.6 also compels attorneys to take reasonable steps to protect client information. If a law firm gets hit with a data breach because they were relying on outdated tech, they could face disciplinary action, lose their clients’ trust and even get sued for not preventing a foreseeable risk.

THE WINDOWS 11 HARDWARE ROADBLOCK

Unfortunately, upgrading isn’t always as simple as clicking “update.” Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements, including support for TPM 2.0 (trusted platform module) and newer generation processors. Many older computers don’t meet these requirements. If your computers are more than five years old, chances are some of them can’t run Windows 11.

According to one industry estimate, nearly 240 million PCs globally cannot be upgraded due to these hardware limitations. That likely includes a large number of law office desktops and laptops purchased before 2021.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If you haven’t already started planning, now is the time. Follow these steps to get ahead of the deadline:

• Check compatibility. Visit Microsoft’s comprehensive system requirements page to determine if your computers are compatible with the upgrade.
• Inventory your hardware. Identify which computers must be replaced and which can be upgraded.
• Review software compatibility. Make sure your essential legal software – practice management tools, billing systems, document automation and court e-filing program – are fully compatible with Windows 11.
• Secure and back up data. Before replacing or upgrading any machines, ensure client files, firm records and software keys are securely backed up and accessible.
• Budget accordingly. Begin allocating funds for hardware replacements.
• Upgrade in phases. Avoid firmwide disruption by planning upgrades in waves or by department.
• Engage IT help. Work with a technology consultant or managed services provider.
• Revisit cybersecurity settings. Use this transition to assess endpoint protection, implement multifactor authentication (MFA) and take advantage of newer security features in Windows 11.
• Educate staff. Brief your team on what to expect to ease the transition.
• Dispose of old equipment securely. Before recycling or donating old devices, ensure all data is properly wiped using tools or services that meet ethical and regulatory standards.

A NOTE ABOUT EXTENDED SECURITY UPDATES

Microsoft will offer paid extended security updates (ESUs) for Windows 10 users who can’t complete their transition by the deadline. These are designed as a stopgap and are not a permanent solution, and they cost extra. ESUs may buy your firm one more year of security patches, but they are not a license to delay indefinitely.

ESUs provide organizations with critical security updates for Windows 10 after official support has ended, helping to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals. However, ESUs do not include new features, nonsecurity updates or technical support from Microsoft. They serve as temporary safeguards for systems that must continue running Windows 10 a little longer, giving businesses added time to complete their migration to Windows 11 while minimizing security risks during the transition period.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE

The move away from Windows 10 is not optional. After Oct. 14, unsupported systems in your firm will become a liability, technically, ethically and possibly legally. Take this opportunity to modernize your infrastructure, avoid last-minute disruptions and protect your clients’ confidential data.

Ms. Bays is the OBA Management Assistance Program Director. Need a quick answer to a tech problem or help solving a management dilemma? Contact her at 405-416-7031, 800-522-8060 or julieb@okbar.org.  It’s a free member benefit!

Originally published in the Oklahoma Bar Journal — August, 2025 — Vol. 96, No. 6

[1] New York State Bar Association, “Why Lawyers Should Take Windows 7 End-of-Support Seriously,” (2019)