Doors open for partners as Windows 10 support closes

Partner comment

The end of Microsoft’s support for Windows 10 in Australia has spurred many organisations to upgrade their fleet of PCs but there is a significant tail that are yet to make the jump, despite the business and technical benefits that the Windows 11 upgrade can offer.

Microsoft data showed that across Australia and New Zealand, 1 in 5 commercial devices were incompatible with Windows 11, which rose to 1 in 3 among small to medium businesses (SMBs).

With support from Dicker Data, IT partners AstronTech and Metropolitan Computers and Supplies (Metro Computers) have been on the frontlines helping customers upgrade their fleets even before the end of service deadline.

Both teams have seen first-hand the ways that Windows 11 has helped customers, plus the opportunities for their own businesses during and following the upgrade.

AstronTech’s general manager of transformation and development Brooke Younger said hesitation to upgrade is often about perception.

“Customers often fear disruption, compatibility challenges, or productivity loss during the transition,” she said.

Metro Computers’ senior technology solutions consultant Betty Ma agreed and expanded on the disruption fears.

“Some customers are also impacted by software compatibility issues, as certain applications used in specialised industries are not yet optimised for newer hardware or Windows 11,” she explained.

Younger said the message was simple: “the risk of doing nothing — from increased security exposure to compliance and productivity impacts — now outweighs the effort required to upgrade.”

Security posture is the clearest benefit due to the increased minimum standards for devices to be Windows 11 compatible, and the partners pointed out this was something noted by insurers.

The partners called compliance and insurance “focused drivers” and “critical motivators” for customers to upgrade and explained that unsupported operating systems can be considered a risk and therefore cause higher premiums or even policy exclusion.

Customers using Windows 11 are also seeing improved productivity both partners reported.

“Gains include improved employee experience, simplified fleet management, and reduced total cost of ownership as businesses are achieving operational efficiencies through smarter device lifecycle management,” Younger said.

Ma added hybrid work flexibility, faster boot times and enhanced collaboration tools to the list of productivity benefits.

More broadly, the partners are also seeing the modern devices leading to a mindset shift around modern technologies.

Ma said customers moved to thinking about future-proofing rather than just keeping up.

“Customers start exploring AI-driven tools, automation, and advanced analytics once they realise their infrastructure can support these innovations. The upgrade becomes a catalyst for broader digital transformation initiatives.”

And for the partners themselves, both said Windows 11 “opens the door” to further engagement with their customers as they look to deeper transformation and digital adoption.

Younger said AstronTech is seeing momentum around hybrid cloud adoption, endpoint management, and AI enablement through Microsoft Copilot.

“Many organisations are also using this opportunity to refresh their approach to data security, automation, and SaaS resilience — with solutions such as Keepit backup and Intune policy enforcement forming part of an integrated modern workplace strategy.”

Ma said Metro Computers’ customers were looking to new tools and cloud adoption.

“Many customers take the opportunity to refresh EUC devices alongside infrastructure, and other security solutions, creating a more future-ready environment.”

The consensus was that the Windows 11 upgrade was more than just a device refresh but a moment of true technological progress for customers with their trusted IT partners to lead the way. 

Dicker Data comment

Leading Australian distributor Dicker Data has been supporting partners taking their customers on the Windows 11 upgrade journey since the end of Windows 10 service was announced.

Dicker Data’s Microsoft business development manager Gary Lawrence said he is also seeing the trends laid out in the partners comments as partners lean into the Windows 11 upgrade as a business-critical inflexion point.

“The most successful partners are using it to open broader conversations around modern workplace transformation, security, and AI future-readiness. Many are recognising the value of modern Copilot+ devices with AI capabilities, security solutions aligned to Windows 11’s zero-trust architecture, and cloud-native management tools like Microsoft Intune,” he said.

Lawrence added that beyond product access, Dicker Data is offering a raft of support options to help partners position themselves as leaders.

“We’re offering technical consultations, partner enablement sessions, and curated Microsoft guides to help navigate migration and position the upgrade as a strategic move,” he explained.

Partners like AstronTech and Metro Computers are finding success by framing customer discussions around business outcomes.

Lawrence said Dicker Data is supporting partners to have those business-first conversations around risk mitigation, productivity gains, compliance alignment, long-term agility, and AI-readiness.

“Partners leading with strategic vision and not just tech specs provide guidance, not just products. Educating and empowering customers builds lasting trust and Dicker Data can point partners towards specific Microsoft Sales Enablement and Marketing material to help frame Windows 11 as the platform for innovation,” Lawrence said.

Dicker Data also has practical tools at hand such as the Windows 11 Readiness Tool, which Lawrence said partners are finding “incredibly helpful” in conversation with SMB customers.

“Our Windows 11 Readiness Tool is surfacing upgrade opportunities that naturally lead into bundled solutions, helping partners build compelling offers that go beyond the OS. “The simple dashboard kick-starts conversations by providing a clear view for decision makers and introducing Cloud-native device management discussions,” he said.

The comments from AstronTech and Metro Computers demonstrate how central risk mitigation and compliance is for customers and the Readiness Tool is an invaluable asset for those conversations.

SMBs’ security practices are under increasing scrutiny in the current regulatory environment and partners are capitalising on this by bundling security upgrades with device refreshes and managed services.

“Partners can run assessments that highlight vulnerabilities and surface opportunities to introduce Microsoft Intune and Endpoint Analytics. These insights help partners demonstrate how Windows 11 supports a zero-trust security architecture and enables proactive device management,” Lawrence said.

The technological leap forward offered by Windows 11 ready devices make the upgrade an ideal time for building packaged solutions.

“Rather than selling Windows 11 in isolation, partners are building value-rich packages that include security services, compliance audits, AI-readiness assessments, and training and enablement,” Lawrence said.

Whether its getting the conversation started or building out attractive packages, from training to tools, Dicker Data is ready to provide partners with everything they need to guide their customers through the Windows 11 upgrade, build trust and position themselves as strategic partners for the future of business.