When you’re self-employed or operating your individual enterprise as a solopreneur, it’s straightforward to overlook about expertise once you’re concentrating on dozens of jobs all competing on your consideration.
But with Windows 11 filled with new options that prioritize productiveness, we suggest taking a while out from these pressing duties and upgrading to the newest model of Microsoft’s working system. It would possibly take a short while, however it is going to additionally assist you elevate your work, your status, and your probability of success.
It’s much more essential now that we’ve handed October 14th, too – as a result of Windows 10 help has now ended. By persevering with to make use of the older OS, you’re opening your corporation, your purchasers and your private recordsdata as much as safety dangers, and you could endure from productiveness issues and extra points, too.
If you’re a freelancer or solopreneur who hasn’t upgraded to Windows 11, then don’t fear – you’ve nonetheless received time. And for those who’ve not made up your thoughts, listed here are 5 essential the reason why it’s best to think about making the change as quickly as potential.
It’s a critical safety danger
Because we’ve handed October 14 2025, Windows 10 is now not receiving safety updates, bug fixes or any technical help, even when critical vulnerabilities are discovered throughout the system.
And once you mix the dearth of safety fixes with the sheer variety of individuals nonetheless utilizing Windows 10 – estimated to be a mighty 21 million initially of October 2025 – you may make certain that hackers will likely be scanning for weak working programs, new loopholes and recent methods to assault gadgets.
When even one unfixed vulnerability may be exploited globally by hackers inside hours, that may very well be a critical problem for any freelancer or solopreneur nonetheless operating Windows 10 gadgets.
If you’re a freelancer or a solopreneur, your Windows 10 gadgets will undoubtedly include invoices and monetary info and probably delicate consumer information. If you utilize your system past your working life, too, that PC or laptop computer might also include your private info.
An assault that compromises your programs and features entry to probably delicate info could cause important stress and embarrassment, slowing you down whilst you get better your programs. That’s not all, both: a breach could cause you and your corporation to endure reputational harm.
Cyber assaults may be pricey: over 50% of freelancers have reported experiencing safety breaches, and restoration can value 1000’s of {dollars}.
If you’re not fairly able to improve, Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates will proceed to offer essential Windows 10 safety updates. They’re going to be made out there for 3 years, however there’s a value for each system you wish to shield – and the price rises yearly.
Microsoft intends these updates to be a short-term repair to assist individuals safe extra time for his or her Windows 11 upgrades, so don’t see this as a long-term resolution to maintain your corporation gadgets operating on Windows 10.
We don’t suggest counting on third-party safety software program, both. While the most effective antivirus and safety instruments can detect and block many threats, they will’t repair core working system vulnerabilities, and people are what hackers will likely be concentrating on with Windows 10.
It’ll be more durable to work on Windows 10
If you insist on utilizing Windows 10, then you definitely danger operating into software program compatibility issues.
As Windows 10 utilization drops and Windows 11 turns into much more outstanding, software program builders will inevitably cease releasing software program for the system. They will most likely cease testing and optimizing present apps for the OS.
Consider how a lot third-party software program you utilize in your day-to-day life as a freelancer or solopreneur, particularly for those who use that system for work and private use.
From cloud storage instruments and inventive suites to phrase processors and accounting software program, all of these apps come from third-party builders. And as they cease optimizing and updating apps for Windows 10, your software program may decelerate, grow to be much less secure and expose your gadgets to safety vulnerabilities that simply aren’t mounted. This can also be true of net browsers, which can endure from safety and plugin help points.
You received’t get entry to new options, a lot of which can make the most of Windows 11’s upgrades and integrations – as a result of they’re not out there on Windows 10.
It’s not nearly software program, both. Component producers will finally prioritize driver updates for Windows 11 gadgets. In time, they could cease releasing driver updates for Windows 10 fully. That means you possibly can lose compatibility and stability throughout a variety of gadgets, from webcams and microphones to printers and even motherboard options.
We perceive that it’s tough to alter a routine that works, particularly once you’ve efficiently constructed a enterprise or a self-employed profession utilizing a Windows 10 system stuffed with acquainted apps and gadgets.
But as software program and {hardware} help for Windows 10 fades, you’ll spend extra time coping with slower software program, options that don’t work and new bugs – and time you spend troubleshooting points or discovering new apps is time that may very well be spent incomes cash as an alternative.
A transfer to Windows 11 could be initially awkward, however it’s nonetheless a neater possibility than attempting to work on a Windows 10 system that slowly loses its performance.
Windows 11 has a great deal of new productiveness options
So far we’ve targeting the safety and software program points which will emerge for those who keep on Windows 10 – and so they’re good causes. But additionally think about that transferring to Windows 11 can unlock new ranges of productiveness for your corporation because of a wave of latest options.
The first? Microsoft Copilot. This AI-powered digital assistant can speed up productiveness by tackling a few of your repetitive duties, like summarizing emails or drafting paperwork so you may focus on high-value work.
The full model of Copilot is out there for Microsoft 365 customers, with a fundamental model out there for anybody with a Microsoft account. If you’ve received a Copilot+ PC it really works throughout most Microsoft Office Suite apps, so it’s usually going to be out there to help your corporation ambitions.
That’s not the one characteristic in Windows 11 that may help freelancers and solopreneurs. Snap layouts assist you juggle a number of apps and digital desktops may help you retain your tasks organized.
Microsoft has loaded Windows 11 with helpful voice-to-text options, a wiser clipboard, and improved focus modes that can assist you focus on the work that issues – alongside dozens of UI enhancements and enhanced options that can make your working life smoother and extra productive.
Windows 11 has significantly better efficiency, too
Windows 11 doesn’t simply embrace seen software program enhancements that would enhance your productiveness. The OS has loads of options and enhancements within the background that can make life simpler whilst you’re working.
Improved standby modes with sooner resumptions and smoother community connections imply that life is simpler for freelancers and solopreneurs transferring between residence, workplaces, consumer websites and co-working areas.
Window 11’s smarter, adaptive energy-saving modes do a greater job of managing system energy utilization, which might imply longer battery life in laptops. You could even get pleasure from potential reductions in family payments since you’re utilizing much less electrical energy.
And for those who want extra energy, Windows 11 can dynamically modify CPU and GPU efficiency relying in your workflow, so the elements will present extra grunt in difficult duties.
One of the newer updates to Windows 11, named 24H2, launched a wave of further efficiency enhancements.
Thanks to working system optimizations launched in 24H2, Microsoft says that month-to-month updates can set up as much as 45% sooner than on older variations of the OS whereas utilizing 25% much less of your system’s processing energy – and that system reboot occasions are 40% improved, too.
Smarter laptop computer battery charging improves long-term battery well being, which might enhance system lifespans, and 24H2 additionally included smarter reminiscence prioritization and improved replace reliability.
It’s necessary to remain compliant, safe and reliable
Upgrading to Windows 11 is necessary for freelancers and solopreneurs due to the message it sends out into the world. You would possibly suppose that sounds foolish or dramatic, however hear us out.
Clients wish to work with people who find themselves dependable and reliable, and a transfer to Windows 11 exhibits that you just’re dedicated to professionalism and safety.
Anyone using a freelancer or a solopreneur will count on them to guard information and programs, so operating a safe and up-to-date OS will give them confidence you can be trusted. Some purchasers will even count on you to signal contracts that demand up-to-date programs, particularly within the public sector or the finance business.
There are concerns past these private relationships, too. Insecure gadgets operating older working programs and utilizing unsupported software program can probably breach data-compliance laws, and that’s the very last thing you need once you’re attempting to persuade potential purchasers to belief you with delicate information.
Think in regards to the future, too: by utilizing Windows 11, you’re utilizing the newest baseline for software program, {hardware} and driver growth. That means you’ll get pleasure from full performance and efficiency from software program, elements and updates you put in sooner or later. You’ll additionally get entry to all of Microsoft’s newest OS options.
It’s time to improve – sooner relatively than later
An improve to Windows 11 would possibly trigger some short-term points whilst you modify to a brand new working system, however it’s important for freelancers and solopreneurs who wish to guarantee success within the years to return.
By upgrading, you’ll give your self the most effective probability of staying safe, you should use the newest software program, and also you’ll current a reliable and well-organized picture to the world – necessary once you wish to win new enterprise.
And the earlier you improve the better the transition will likely be.
An improve to Windows 11 is comparatively simple and, for many Windows 10 customers, it’s free – and, because of a great deal of options that enhance productiveness, efficiency and safety, it’s important for freelancers and solopreneurs who take their enterprise as critically as their computing.