Windows 10 is no longer supported, meaning Microsoft no longer provides free security updates or bug fixes for any users of this platform.
In response, many organisations have already upgraded their devices. However, others are still planning their transition, and some are left with large volumes of surplus devices they are not sure what to do with.
There are actually several options for businesses to choose from (depending on the hardware’s age and specifications), and we encourage you to think beyond simply sending everything to recycling.
In this guide, we will take you through what businesses should actually do with the PCs they have replaced and no longer use.
Find Out What Your Old PCs Are Worth
What Does Windows 10 End of Support Actually Mean?
Support for Windows 10 officially ended on 14th October 2025. This means devices no longer receive full protection, and so any businesses still using Windows 10 are running the risk of exposure to cybersecurity risks and compliance concerns.
As a result, many businesses have opted for device replacements so that they can use Windows 11. This is the current standard operating system for Microsoft, which has stricter hardware requirements compared to Windows 10.
Why Many Windows 10 PCs Can't Upgrade to Windows 11
Although it is important, the operating system is not the only consideration. This is because many Windows 10 PCs, even when they work well, do not meet Microsoft’s compatibility checks for upgrading to the newer, compliant system.
This is down to a range of factors, including:
- TPM 2.0 Requirements: This is a key feature that Windows 11 uses to enable a range of security features, including Windows Hello for protecting identity and BitLocker for protecting data. It is a mandatory requirement for PCs to be able to run this to use Windows 11; most PCs produced in the last five years can run this.
- Supported Processors: A processor, or the central processing unit (CPU), is an electrical component which runs the computer. Some processors work on both Windows 10 and 11, but there are many fewer that work on both than there are that are on just Windows 10.
- Secure Boot: A security standard the PC industry developed to make sure a device only uses software trusted by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Microsoft originally issued Secure Boot certificates in 2011 to ensure Windows devices use trusted boot software, but these older certificates are beginning to expire in June 2026.
- Memory & Storage Requirements: PCs must have at least 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage in order to operate Windows 11. If your devices currently do not have enough, you may still be able to upgrade the memory and storage.
Before You Dispose of Anything, Audit Your Existing Hardware
Your business must not just assume every replaced PC has reached the end of its life. You must know exactly what assets you have got before deciding what to do with them.
To help with this, we recommend that you carry out an asset audit: a process to determine exactly what you have got, what condition they are in, and how much they are worth. Some points you should consider for this are:
- Age of Device: This can help to determine how likely it is to be Windows 11 compliant, as well as how much longer it is likely to work for and how much it is worth.
- CPU Generation: This refers to the type of processing unit an asset uses, such as from Intel, Qualcomm, or AMD. You can find out if the CPU your assets have will be compatible with Windows 11 or not.
- RAM: This stands for Random Access Memory and basically refers to where the data is stored that your computer requires to run your applications and open files. Windows 11 requires devices to have a higher level of RAM to be able to run properly compared to Windows 10. Windows 10 requires a minimum of 2GB for a 64-bit and 1GB for 32-bit, while Windows 11 requires at least 4GB.
- Solid State Drives or Hard Disk Drives: To be able to run Windows 11 to its full potential, a PC must have a Solid State Drive (SSD). By contrast, PCs can run Windows 10 properly with a Hard Disk Drive (HDD).
- Overall Condition: Over time, devices may experience some natural wear and tear and loss of performance. This allows you to check what state they are in and how long they could continue working.
- Remaining Warranty: If your devices still have a lot of warranty time left, it could be worth continuing to use your current devices. This is because during a device’s warranty period, you are entitled to a free repair or replacement if it fails due to a technical defect.
By conducting an audit such as this, you have the opportunity to determine if your devices are compatible with Windows 11 and how much they are worth.
It can also help you to determine which devices can be reused, as well as those which may not suit your requirements but could present an opportunity for donation or resale.
Your Options for Old Business PCs
Option 1: Upgrade Existing Hardware
In some cases, it is possible to upgrade existing devices in order to be compatible with Windows 11.
For example, they may simply need:
- Some additional RAM
- An SSD upgrade
- Updating your device’s Basic Input/Output System (BIOS, the firmware that loads before the operating system to perform start-up and check system devices)
- Windows 11 installation
Compared to upgrading to all-new devices, this is often the most cost-effective option when your devices are able to be upgraded adequately.
Option 2: Redeploy Internally
Although they might not be suitable for all situations, such as handling sensitive data, old devices might still have a series of use cases.
Perhaps they could be used:
- As meeting room PCs
- In testing environments
- As training machines
- For non-critical office tasks
As well as saving costs, this extension of asset life improves sustainability and return on investment.
Option 3: Resell Valuable Equipment
Even if they are not quite what you need anymore, many business-grade devices can retain their value, including names such as:
- Dell Latitude
- HP EliteBook
- Lenovo ThinkPad
- Apple MacBooks
- Workstations
- Networking equipment
The factors affecting resale value are:
- Specification: Are its components, such as RAM and CPUs, valuable?
- Cosmetic Condition: Does it have any scratches or dents, or is it still in good physical condition?
- Age: How much longer could it last?
- Battery Health: Does it have good battery life, and has it lost any of its original level?
- Storage Configuration: What types and sizes of drives does it use?
Option 4: Recycle Responsibly
Recycling should be the final option, used only when devices genuinely cannot be reused.
When a device reaches the end of its working life, responsible recycling protects your business and the environment. UK law requires businesses to dispose of electronic equipment through authorised channels, so it's important to work with a WEEE-compliant partner rather than sending devices to general waste.
Responsible recycling allows valuable materials, including precious metals and copper, to be recovered and reused, while keeping hazardous substances out of landfill and away from soil and water supplies.
A certified recycling partner ensures old devices are processed responsibly and to the correct environmental standards.
However, the waste hierarchy remains important: reuse should always come before recycling. If a device can be upgraded, redeployed, or resold, it retains more value than if it is recycled immediately. Recycling is an essential final step for assets that genuinely have nothing left to give.
Don't Forget About Your Data
Before you recycle or dispose of your hardware, you must conduct proper data sanitisation. A failure to do this creates significant risks of data being stolen or recovered, which can include customer data, employee information, financial records, saved credentials, and intellectual property.
Secure data sanitisation does not mean just deleting files or formatting drives, as this does not permanently remove data. You must:
- Get a Data Erasure Certificate: This is a legally recognised document confirming that the PC has undergone a thorough process to permanently and securely remove data, eliminating any traces of it.
- Hard Drive Destruction Where Appropriate: The process of physically destroying a hard drive, which makes it unusable and any data left on it permanently inaccessible.
- Audit Trails: Creating a record of activities that have taken place on a PC, including any updates and downloads.
- Certificates of Destruction: An official document that confirms a device and its data have been permanently erased or physically destroyed.
- GDPR Compliance: General Data Protection Regulation legislation from the government that legally binds businesses to collect, use, and store data appropriately. This includes wiping it appropriately at the end of an asset’s life.
Choosing the Right IT Asset Disposal Partner
When you dispose of assets and data, we recommend working with an IT disposal partner who disposes of them appropriately and makes sure you stay compliant with GDPR.
Before deciding on your disposal partner, you should ask them a series of questions to make sure you meet some essential considerations, such as:
- Are data erasure methods certified?
- Is hard drive destruction available?
- Are assets tracked?
- Will you receive reporting?
- Is equipment remarketed where possible?
- Is WEEE compliance demonstrated?
- Can collections be arranged?
- Are certificates provided?
Find out more about our asset disposal services
Why IT Refresh Projects Are an Opportunity, Not an Expense
By replacing Windows 10 devices, businesses have the opportunity to save significant amounts of money by recovering redundant assets and reducing support costs.
It also creates opportunities to standardise and modernise your hardware fleet, making asset management easier, while Windows 11 offers stronger cybersecurity.
Finally, an IT refresh offers significant opportunities for sustainability, including improved sustainability reporting and more ways to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
Manage Your Surplus IT Equipment With SecondLife
Are you considering a Windows 10 refresh? At SecondLife, we help organisations to maximise the value of IT assets while ensuring they have complete data security and are fully compliant with environmental regulations.
We offer a range of services including IT asset valuation, secure data erasure, hard drive destruction, and IT recycling.
Discuss your requirements today
FAQs
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Can I still use Windows 10 after support ends?
Yes, Windows 10 PCs will continue to work, but Microsoft stopped providing security patches and bug fixes after 14 October 2025.
This leaves newly discovered vulnerabilities unpatched and increases cyber and compliance risks, particularly for businesses working towards standards such as Cyber Essentials. Extended Security Updates can provide a temporary bridge, but aren't a long-term solution.
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How do I know if my PCs can run Windows 11?
Microsoft's PC Health Check app can quickly confirm whether a device meets Windows 11's requirements and identify any failed criteria.
For larger IT estates, an IT provider can assess all devices to identify which qualify for an upgrade and which should be replaced or repurposed.
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Is it safe to donate or sell old business laptops?
Yes, provided all data is securely erased first. Standard deletion isn't enough to permanently remove information, so use a provider that wipes drives to a recognised standard such as NIST 800-88 and provides a certificate of erasure. This protects company and customer data while allowing you to recover value from old equipment.
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Does formatting a hard drive remove all company data?
No, formatting removes the file system's records but can leave underlying data recoverable with specialist software. Certified data erasure instead overwrites the drive to a recognised standard, making the data genuinely unrecoverable and reducing the risk of exposing sensitive business information.
