On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will reach end of support. For 75% of Canadian businesses still on Windows 10, now is the critical time to plan your migration. Discover how to transform this deadline into a modernization accelerator.
✓ 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 in AWS credits before November 14
✓ KING: up to double-digit savings vs. hardware refresh (see pricing below)
Table of Contents
- 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 faces:
- No security fixes or feature updates on Windows 10 after Oct 14, 2025 (Microsoft end-of-support).
- Extended Security Updates (ESU) costs for businesses: Year 1 is $61 USD/device, doubling each year (max 3 years) (Microsoft ESU).
- Regulatory exposure (healthcare, finance, public sector) and higher breach risk on legacy OS.
Avoid these risks now. Get your free migration assessment →
The Hidden Challenge: Your Aging IT Infrastructure
Windows 11 requirements can rule out many older PCs (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot/UEFI, 4–8 GB RAM). Result: potential $1,500–$2,000 per workstation if you refresh hardware across the fleet. A cloud desktop can bypass that capital spend.
Your Migration Options Analyzed
Option 1: Complete Hardware Renewal
- Cost: $1,500–$2,000 per user
- Timeline: 6–12 months
- Risk: Major operational disruption
- KING: 3–4 years
Option 2: Windows 10 Extended Security Updates
- Cost: $61 USD/device in Year 1, doubling each year; max 3 years (ESU details)
- Limit: Buys time but increases technical debt
- KING: Negative (security cost without modernization)
Option 3: Migration to AWS WorkSpaces ✅
- Cost: Usage-based; see WorkSpaces pricing (varies by bundle) and Windows BYOL
- Timeline: 2–6 weeks
- Benefits: Full modernization, reuse existing endpoints, centralized security
- KING: Often 6–12 months depending on hardware deferral and support savings
💡 Tip: BYOL lets you bring eligible Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 licenses to AWS WorkSpaces (Microsoft 365 BYOL).
AWS WorkSpaces: The Cloud Solution That Transforms Constraints into Advantages
Why Leaders Choose WorkSpaces
Immediate Savings
- ✅ No upfront hardware: Reuse existing PCs/thin clients
- ✅ License optimization: Keep Microsoft 365 / Windows via BYOL (Windows BYOL)
- ✅ Pay-as-you-go: Align cost to actual usage (pricing)
Enterprise-Level Security
- Data stays in the AWS cloud (Canada regions available)
- Encryption in transit/at rest; integrate with your IdP
- AWS compliance frameworks (SOC, ISO/IEC 27001, etc.)
Amplified Productivity
- Secure access from anywhere
- Predictable, scalable performance
- Business continuity for hybrid work
📊 See if WorkSpaces is right for you. Get your personalized analysis →
Success Story
Professional Services Company (500 employees)
- Savings: 45% over 3 years vs. device refresh
- Migration: Completed in 4 weeks
- User satisfaction: 92%
- Plus: Hybrid work simplified
Your Action Plan in 3 Phases
Phase 1: Assessment & Planning (Weeks 1–2)
What Cortex does for you:
- ✅ Audit of current infrastructure
- ✅ Compatibility analysis app
- ✅ Personalized TCO model
- ✅ Custom migration plan
Phase 2: Proof of Concept (Weeks 3–4)
Risk-free testing:
- Pilot environment configuration
- Migration of 10–20 pilot users
- Performance validation
- Internal champion training
Phase 3: Progressive Deployment (Weeks 5–8)
Controlled migration:
- Department-by-department rollout
- Continuous Cortex support
- Real-time optimization
- Documentation and training
Ready to start your assessment? Schedule your consultation →
ROI and Savings: The Numbers That Matter
3-Year Comparison (100 users)
| Scenario | Initial Cost | Annual Cost | 3-Year Total | Savings vs. Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hardware | $150,000 | $20,000 | $210,000 | — |
| Windows 10 ESU | $0 | $6,100+ (Year 1 @ $61 USD/device) → doubles annually | $42,000+ (illustrative) | High Risk |
| AWS WorkSpaces | $5,000 | $42,000 (illustrative use) | $131,000 | $79,000 (≈38%) |
Notes: ESU pricing: Microsoft. WorkSpaces costs vary by bundle/usage; see AWS pricing.
Additional Unquantified Benefits
- ⚡ Increased productivity (hybrid work)
- 🔒 Reduced security risks
- 🚀 Organizational agility
- 💡 Faster innovation cycles
Your Windows 11 Migration Checklist
Preparation Phase (Weeks 1–2)
□ Windows 10 workstation inventory
□ Critical application identification
□ Windows 11 compatibility analysis
□ BYOL eligibility validation (Windows BYOL)
□ $5,000 AWS credits request
Deployment Phase (Weeks 5+)
□ Department migration plan
□ User communication
□ Progressive data migration
□ Support and guidance
□ Continuous optimization
Exclusive Offer: $5,000 in AWS Credits
For businesses that commit before November 14, 2025
AWS credits to accelerate your Windows 11 on WorkSpaces migration.
Why Cortex is Your Ideal Partner
✅ Certified AWS expertise: Select Partner with Desktop & Application Streaming specialization
✅ 100+ successful migrations: Proven track record
✅ Consultative approach: Solutions adapted to your reality
✅ Local bilingual support: Montreal-based team
🚀 Take Action Now
Get Your FREE Personalized Migration Plan
October 14, 2025 is approaching quickly. Every day counts to secure your infrastructure and optimize costs.
Your free consultation includes:
- ✅ Complete analysis of your Windows 10 infrastructure
- ✅ Detailed ROI calculation for your business
- ✅ Eligibility verification 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 work on WorkSpaces?
In most cases, yes. Cortex performs a complete compatibility analysis during the assessment phase.
What happens to our Microsoft license investment?
You can keep and reuse your eligible licenses via 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 supports powerful instance types and GPU-backed options for graphics-intensive workloads (bundles).
Sources & Links
- Microsoft — Windows 10 support ends Oct 14, 2025: support.microsoft.com, lifecycle (22H2 final)
- Microsoft — Extended Security Updates (ESU) pricing & terms: learn.microsoft.com/windows/whats-new/extended-security-updates
- AWS — Run Windows 11 on Amazon WorkSpaces: AWS Blog
- AWS — WorkSpaces pricing: aws.amazon.com/workspaces-family/workspaces/pricing/
- AWS — Windows BYOL on WorkSpaces: docs.aws.amazon.com/…/byol-windows-images.html
- AWS — Microsoft 365 BYOL on WorkSpaces: docs.aws.amazon.com/…/byol-microsoft365-licenses.html
- AWS — WorkSpaces bundles & GPU options: docs.aws.amazon.com/…/amazon-workspaces-bundles.html
