NHS Faces Cybersecurity Crisis as Windows 10 Support Ends – Is Windows 11 the Solution?

Concerns have been raised about the NHS’s readiness for cybersecurity risks as it prepares to transition to Windows 11. Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, leaving many NHS systems vulnerable. The shift from desktop PCs to laptops during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown has led to an aging laptop fleet. Many of these laptops are now five years old and need upgrades, but the NHS budget hasn’t increased to accommodate this. Local NHS organizations are responsible for the upgrades, with a deadline to migrate to Windows 11 before Windows 10 support ends.

This shift could leave systems exposed to cyber threats. NHS leaders are calling for national funding to update technology infrastructure. Microsoft has emphasized that Windows 11 is the most secure version of the OS, but the transition is proving difficult. A 2022 BMA report found that inefficient IT systems were costing doctors millions of hours each year. This issue is exacerbated by ongoing budget constraints. The NHS faces a challenging balancing act with outdated hardware, Windows updates, and cybersecurity concerns. The shift to Windows 11 is critical for securing NHS systems.

NHS Faces Cybersecurity Crisis as Windows 10 Support Ends – Is Windows 11 the Solution?

Concerns have been raised regarding the NHS’s preparedness for cybersecurity issues as it transitions to Windows 11. With Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, many NHS organizations are struggling with outdated hardware that may not be able to upgrade to the new system.

During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, the NHS rapidly shifted from desktop PCs to laptops, but these laptops are now aging quickly. Many are around five years old and need updates, yet the NHS’s capital budget hasn’t increased to accommodate these necessary upgrades. This creates a significant challenge for chief information officers (CIOs), as outdated Windows 10 devices will no longer receive security updates, leaving systems vulnerable to cyber threats.

James Rawlinson, director of health informatics at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted the issue, emphasizing the need for national capital funding to address the technology infrastructure challenges in healthcare. Microsoft has stressed that Windows 11 is designed to be the most secure version of the OS, but NHS England has noted that local organizations are responsible for managing their upgrades, urging a shift to Windows 11 before the end of Windows 10 support. The NHS has also faced ongoing IT issues, with a 2022 British Medical Association (BMA) report revealing that outdated systems are costing doctors millions of hours annually, hindering efforts to tackle backlogs.

The ongoing IT issues in the NHS have been a long-standing challenge, as highlighted by a 2022 report from the British Medical Association (BMA). According to the BMA, outdated systems are not only inefficient but also severely impact the productivity of healthcare professionals. The report revealed that doctors in England were losing more than 13.5 million hours annually due to delays caused by malfunctioning or inadequate IT systems and equipment. This issue has had a significant impact on the NHS’s ability to manage backlogs and provide timely care to patients.

The inefficiency of these outdated systems has become a critical problem, particularly in an era where digital tools are essential for improving patient care and streamlining administrative tasks. As doctors spend valuable time dealing with IT-related issues, their ability to focus on patient care is compromised, exacerbating the already strained NHS resources.

Furthermore, the BMA survey showed that 80% of doctors believed that improving IT infrastructure and digital technology would have a positive effect on tackling backlogs and improving service delivery. A significant majority (72%) also emphasized that prioritizing hardware updates would be crucial in improving the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. The lack of modernized technology and adequate support has created a substantial barrier to progress, making the NHS’s transition to more secure, up-to-date systems all the more urgent.