Out with the Old? Rethinking Device Lifecycle Management in the Wake of Windows 10

We’ve all been there - looking at a perfectly good laptop that’s served you well, still runs smoothly, and feels like it’s got plenty of life left in it… only to find out it can’t support the latest operating system and is suddenly classed as obsolete. With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, IT teams across the country are facing a frustrating dilemma: many older devices simply aren’t compatible with Windows 11. 

So what now? Bin them? Replace everything? Push your sustainability goals back a few years and hope no one notices?

Not exactly ideal.

But this moment - inconvenient as it is - also brings an opportunity. It’s a chance to rethink how we manage devices across their entire lifecycle, not just at the point of refresh. And if we do it right, we can upgrade our estate and move closer to our sustainability goals.

Sustainability Starts at the Endpoint

Sustainability is no longer just a boardroom buzzword - it’s a tangible business priority. And while it’s often associated with data centres, energy supply or travel policies, endpoints (your laptops, desktops, tablets etc.) are a surprisingly impactful part of the equation.

Manufacturing devices is carbon intensive. Transporting them across the globe adds to their carbon footprint. And disposing of them improperly can create e-waste headaches. The average laptop generates around 300kg of CO2e over its lifecycle - and most of that comes before it’s even powered on for the first time.

So if you’re aiming to meet your organisation’s environmental targets, your device strategy needs to be part of the plan.

The Windows 10 Conundrum

Microsoft’s end of support for Windows 10 creates a deadline that can’t be ignored. No security patches, no support - and that means real risk to your organisation. But upgrading to Windows 11 isn’t always as simple as hitting “Update”. Hardware requirements are stricter. TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, newer processors - if your fleet is more than a few years old, chances are many of them will be effectively obsolete.

That puts IT Directors in a tight spot: how do you upgrade your estate responsibly, without turning the whole thing into an environmental write-off?

Enter Device Lifecycle Management

This is where a smart Device Lifecycle Management (DLM) strategy can make all the difference.

Rather than thinking of devices in isolated moments - procurement, refresh, disposal - DLM considers the entire journey, from initial configuration and deployment through to retirement and recycling. It’s about getting the most value (and performance) out of every device while ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Here’s how a DLM approach can help you meet the Windows 10 to 11 challenge and your sustainability goals:

• Audit what you’ve got: Not all devices need to go. Start with a clear view of your existing estate - what’s compatible, what can be upgraded, and what needs replacing. You might find that fewer devices need replacing than you think.
• Extend life where possible: Some devices that don’t meet the Windows 11 spec may still have value elsewhere - for example, in non-critical roles, donation programmes, or as part of a remanufacturing scheme.
• Source sustainably: When new devices are needed, choose vendors and suppliers that prioritise energy efficiency, reparability, and responsible manufacturing.
• Dispose responsibly: Work with partners who can securely and sustainably handle device collection, data erasure, resale, or recycling - ensuring zero waste to landfill.
  
  

Small Changes, Big Impact

Big change is essential - but it often starts small. As someone who spends weekends dragging the kids round local wildlife reserves and lecturing to them about turning off lights, I know that individual actions might not save the planet on their own - but they do add up. And the same applies to how we manage devices in our organisations. Every laptop reused, responsibly recycled, or kept in service a little longer through smart planning plays its part in a much bigger picture.

At TIEVA, we help organisations plan, manage and optimise their end-user device estates - making sure every decision aligns with your sustainability, security and business goals. Whether you’re preparing for Windows 10 end of life or simply want to build a more responsible IT strategy, we can help you develop your device lifecycle management strategy.

Let’s make tech work for your people and the planet. Explore our Device Lifecycle Services here.