UK Government Spent £300M on Windows 10—Just Before Its End of Life
A UK government department has sparked outrage after spending hundreds of millions to upgrade its systems to Windows 10—mere months before Microsoft officially ends support for the operating system. The move has drawn criticism from taxpayers, tech experts, and politicians, who call it a costly mistake in digital planning.
A £300M Upgrade with an Expiry Date
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reportedly allocated £300 million (approx. $380M) to migrate its IT infrastructure to Windows 10, completing the project earlier this year. However, Microsoft has confirmed that extended support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025, forcing another expensive upgrade soon.
“Spending millions on an OS nearing end-of-life is like buying a phone that stops updating next year.”
— Priya Menon, Tech Analyst
Experts warn the decision was shortsighted, leaving the department with two bad choices:
- Pay another £200-£300M to upgrade to Windows 11
- Risk cyberattacks by sticking with unsupported software
Why Windows 10’s End of Life Is a Big Problem
Once Microsoft stops releasing security patches, unpatched vulnerabilities will leave systems exposed to cyber threats. Given that the DWP handles sensitive citizen data, running outdated software could invite attacks—similar to the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack that hit the NHS.
“Government systems are prime targets. Using obsolete software is like leaving your door unlocked in a high-crime area.”
— Rajesh Kumar, Cybersecurity Expert
A History of Costly IT Blunders
This isn’t the UK government’s first IT misstep:
- 2019: Home Office wasted £400M on an outdated emergency services network
- NHS: Still uses Windows XP in some cases, long after Microsoft dropped support
Critics argue short-term savings lead to long-term costs.
“They keep wasting money on temporary fixes instead of future-proof solutions.”
— David Lammy, Labour MP
What’s Next? Another Costly Migration?
With Windows 10’s 2025 deadline approaching, the DWP faces:
✔ Another expensive upgrade to Windows 11 (if hardware allows)
✔ Potential move to Linux or cloud-based systems to avoid future cycles
Early estimates suggest a further £200-300M could be spent, bringing the total close to half a billion pounds.
Public Backlash and Calls for Reform
Taxpayer groups and opposition leaders are demanding accountability:
- TaxPayers’ Alliance: “This is an outrageous misuse of public money.”
- Liberal Democrats: “We need a parliamentary inquiry into IT procurement.”
Global Warning: A Cautionary Tale for India
Countries like India (with Aadhaar, GSTN, and Co-WIN) should take note: future-proofing IT investments is critical to avoid similar waste.
Conclusion: A Needless Waste or a Wake-Up Call?
The DWP’s £300M Windows 10 blunder highlights the dangers of poor IT strategy. Will this spark real change—or just become another footnote in wasteful spending history?
What do you think? Should governments switch to open-source alternatives? Share your views below!
