On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will reach its end of support. For 75,000 Canadian businesses still on Windows 10, this is a critical time to plan their migration. Learn how to turn this deadline into a modernization accelerator.
In short
✓ Windows 10 end of support on October 14, 2025 = major security risks (Microsoft)
✓ Solution : Windows 11 on AWS WorkSpaces without changing your equipment (BYOL)
✓ Cortex supports you + 5,000 $ AWS credits before November 14
✓ KING : double-digit savings vs. hardware renewal (see comparative)
Summary
- The Urgency: Why Act Now
- Your migration options analyzed
- AWS WorkSpaces: The optimal cloud solution
- Practical guide: Your migration in 3 phases
- Return on investment and savings
- Take action with Cortex
The Urgency: Why Act Now
Immediate risks after October 14, 2025
Without Microsoft support, your organization is exposed to:
- Lack of patches security and functional updates on Windows 10 after the date (end of support).
- ESU (Extended Security Updates) costs in business: 61 $ US/device 1D year, amount which doubles each year (max. 3 years) (Microsoft ESU).
- Regulatory exposure (healthcare, finance, public sector) and increased risk of breaches on legacy OS.
Avoid these risks now. Tell us about your migration plan →
The Hidden Challenge: Your Aging Fleet
Windows 11 Requirements : TPM 2.0, UEFI/Secure Boot, 4–8 GB of RAM… which rules out many older PCs. Result: 1,500–2,000 $/station if you are massively renewing hardware. A cloud workstation allows you to avoid this capital expenditure.
Your migration options analyzed
Option 1: Complete hardware renewal
- Cost : 1,500–2,000 $/user
- Deadline : 6–12 months
- Risk : significant operational disruption
- KING : 3–4 years
Option 2: ESU (Windows 10 Extended Support)
- Cost : 61 $ US/device year 1 (doubles each year, max. 3 years) — ESU details
- Limit : buys time, increases technical debt
- KING : negative (security cost without modernization)
Option 3: Migrate to AWS WorkSpaces ✅
- Cost : in use — see WorkSpaces pricing (depending on bundle) and BYOL Windows
- Deadline : 2–6 weeks
- Assets : complete modernization, reuse of existing positions, centralized security
- KING : often 6–12 months (hardware renewal times + support reduction)
💡 Did you know? BYOL allows you to bring your eligible Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 licenses (BYOL Microsoft 365).
AWS WorkSpaces: The cloud solution that transforms your constraints into advantages
Why Leaders Choose WorkSpaces
Immediate savings
- ✅ No initial hardware investment : reuse PC/thin clients
- ✅ License optimization : keep Windows/M365 via BYOL (BYOL Windows)
- ✅ Pay-as-you-go : cost aligned to usage (rates)
Enterprise-grade security
- Data hosted in the AWS cloud (Canada regions)
- Encryption in transit/at rest; integration with your IdP
- AWS Compliance Frameworks (SOC, ISO/IEC 27001, etc.)
Amplified productivity
- Secure access from anywhere
- Predictable and scalable performance
- Enhanced business continuity for hybrid work
📊 Find out if WorkSpaces is the right option for you. Get a personalized analysis →
Concrete case: Successful transformation
Professional services company (500 employees)
- Savings: 45 % over 3 years vs. equipment renewal
- Migration: completed in 4 weeks
- Satisfaction: 92 % of users
- Bonus: hybrid teleworking made easier
Your 3-phase action plan
Phase 1: Assessment & Planning (Weeks 1–2)
What Cortex does for you:
- ✅ Audit of current infrastructure
- ✅ Application compatibility analysis
- ✅ Custom TCO model
- ✅ Customized migration plan
Phase 2: Proof of Concept (Weeks 3–4)
Risk-free test:
- Setting up a pilot environment
- Migration of 10–20 pilot users
- Performance validation
- Training of internal champions
Phase 3: Phased Rollout (Weeks 5–8)
Controlled migration:
- Deployment by department
- Cortex Continuous Support
- Real-time optimization
- Documentation and training
Ready to start your assessment? Schedule your consultation →
ROI and savings: The numbers that matter
Comparison over 3 years (100 users)
| Scenario | Initial cost | Annual cost | Total 3 years | Savings vs. Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New material | 150 000 $ | 20 000 $ | 210 000 $ | — |
| ESU Windows 10 | 0 $ | 6,100 $+ (year 1 @ 61 $ US/device) → doubles each year | 42,000 $+ (illustrative) | High risk |
| AWS WorkSpaces | 5 000 $ | 42,000 $ (illustrative) | 131 000 $ | 79 000 $ (~38 %) |
Notes: ESU Rates: Microsoft. WorkSpaces costs vary by bundle/usage: AWS pricing.
Additional benefits not quantified
- ⚡ Increased productivity (hybrid work)
- 🔒 Reduced security risk
- 🚀 Organizational agility
- 💡 Accelerated innovation cycles
✅ Your Windows 11 migration checklist
Preparation phase (Weeks 1–2)
□ Windows 10 workstation inventory
□ Identification of critical applications
□ Windows 11 Compatibility Analysis
□ BYOL Eligibility Validation (BYOL Windows)
□ Request AWS credits (5,000 $)
Pilot phase (Weeks 3–4)
□ Selection of 10–20 test users
□ Configuring the WorkSpaces environment
□ Performance and compatibility testing
□ Training of internal champions
□ Process documentation
Deployment Phase (Week 5+)
□ Migration plan by department
□ User communication
□ Gradual data migration
□ Support and guidance
□ Continuous optimization
Exclusive Offer: 5,000 $ AWS Credits
For companies that commit before November 14, 2025
AWS credits to accelerate your Windows 11 migration to WorkSpaces.
Why Cortex is your ideal partner
✅ Certified AWS Expertise : Partner Select, Desktop & Application Streaming specialization
✅ 100+ successful migrations : convincing references
✅ Consultative approach : solutions adapted to your reality
✅ Local bilingual support : team based in Montreal
🚀 Take action now
Get your FREE personalized migration plan
October 14, 2025, is fast approaching. Every day counts to secure your infrastructure and optimize your costs.
Your free consultation includes:
- ✅ Complete analysis of your Windows 10 fleet
- ✅ Detailed ROI calculation for your business
- ✅ Eligibility Check for 5,000 $ AWS Credits
- ✅ Personalized migration plan
- ✅ No commitment
⏰ AWS credit offer valid until November 14, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Will our business applications run on WorkSpaces?
In most cases, yes. Cortex performs a full compatibility analysis during the evaluation phase.
What happens to our investment in Microsoft licenses?
You can keep and reuse your eligible licenses through AWS's BYOL programs (Windows, Microsoft 365).
How long does a typical migration take?
Typically 4–8 weeks for ~100 users, including testing and training.
What if we have high performance needs (CAD/3D)?
WorkSpaces offers powerful bundles and GPU options for graphics workloads (bundles).
Sources & Links
- Microsoft — Windows 10 end of support (Oct. 14, 2025): support.microsoft.com, life cycle (22H2)
- Microsoft — ESU (pricing & conditions): learn.microsoft.com/windows/whats-new/extended-security-updates
- AWS — Windows 11 on Amazon WorkSpaces: AWS Blog
- AWS — WorkSpaces Pricing: aws.amazon.com/workspaces-family/workspaces/pricing/
- AWS — BYOL Windows on WorkSpaces: docs.aws.amazon.com/…/byol-windows-images.html
- AWS — BYOL Microsoft 365 on WorkSpaces: docs.aws.amazon.com/…/byol-microsoft365-licenses.html
- AWS — WorkSpaces bundles & GPU options: docs.aws.amazon.com/…/amazon-workspaces-bundles.html
