Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, your computer won’t receive any more security updates, bug fixes, or technical support. Your computer will continue to function, but if you use Act! CRM, this could potentially lead to more serious issues.
What are the risks?
The most critical risk to continuing to use an unsupported operating system is the lack of security updates, which leaves the system vulnerable to new viruses, malware, and cyberattacks. Without patches for newly discovered flaws, hackers can exploit these weaknesses to steal data or disrupt operations. Additionally, unsupported systems often face compatibility issues with newer software and hardware, limiting functionality and productivity. Over time, essential applications may stop working altogether. For businesses, such limitations can also lead to compliance violations, especially in industries with strict data protection regulations. Furthermore, users lose access to technical support from Microsoft and many third-party vendors, making troubleshooting more difficult and costly. Overall, using an unsupported operating system increases the risk of data breaches, system failures, and operational inefficiencies.
Many of our clients are still running Act! on Windows 10, thinking they’ll deal with upgrades “later.” But once Microsoft pulls the plug, that “later” becomes urgent and risky. Unsupported systems quickly become vulnerable to hacks, viruses, malware, compliance issues, and software conflicts, especially when those systems are running mission-critical tools like your CRM.
Other factors to consider
- SQL 2014 has also reached end-of-life, with security updates ending July of 2024. Read more HERE. SQL Server 2019 also offers better performance, enhanced security, support for big data clusters, and intelligent query processing compared to SQL Server 2014.
- After a decade in the market, Windows 10 will give way to Windows 11 on October 14th. Windows 11 offers improved performance, better multitasking, stronger security features, and support for newer hardware, making it more future-ready than Windows 10.
- Windows 11 isn’t compatible with any 32-bit version of Act!, namely v23 or earlier, meaning you'll be unable to install these versions of Act! on any new computer available today. At first, this situation may seem inconvenient, as some users are forced to continue using older computers, but the implications for the network are far more serious. Older hardware running outdated versions of Act! on obsolete operating systems may prevent businesses from making crucial network and server upgrades. This could risk the safety of their IT infrastructure and their data, while keeping them from employing newer and more efficient features available with current versions of Windows, SQL, MS Office, and even browsers.
- Act! v25 will become obsolete this November, after which time no patches will be released. This deadline means any new bugs that are discovered will only be fixed in supported versions, leaving unsupported versions untreated.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait
We get it: upgrading is a hassle. But sticking with Windows 10 (and everything tied to it) after support ends is a gamble. You’re betting that no threats will find you, no bugs will trip up your CRM, and that your Act! database will keep running smoothly in a system Microsoft has abandoned. That’s a lot of wishful thinking for a platform that holds your leads, deals, and marketing history.
What are your options?
Act! Advantage is a modern CRM that works both online and on-premise. The cloud-only option means no desktop installations, no compatibility issues, and no stress when Windows support ends. Desktop access provides familiar, fast, and offline access to your data. Both offer contact management, email marketing, and mobile access, while Cloud also includes quoting, online appointment scheduling, web forms, surveys, event management, and much more.
- Upgrade Desktop only: Upgrade to a supported version of Act!, specifically Version 26, which comes free with your Act! subscription. And Version v27 is expected out before the end of August, which will feature many exciting new customer delighter features like "list look-ups", batch updates for fields and opportunities, improved company management, and a completely rebuilt Act! Scheduler, along with a host of bug fixes and compatibility patches like support for SQL 2022.
- Cloud only: Switch to an Act! Cloud deployment where all upgrades and new features are provided for you on our servers. You'll enjoy fast performance with newer features and a zero-maintenance deployment that works on PCs, Macs, and mobile devices.
- Hybrid: Avoid compromise and upgrade to Act! Advantage with Desktop Sync. This will give you all the new features, including web forms, quotes, online appointment scheduling, event management, surveys, mobile & web access, and e-marketing, while delivering the desktop app you know and trust.
Whether you're swayed by risk avoidance or drawn to the many powerful new features of Act! Advantage, you don’t have to scramble in October when our support team is overloaded. We can help you plan the transition now, avoid last-minute stress, and even assist with upgrades or migrations. Get the advantage for your business.
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