Why This Matters for Property Management Firms
Security Risks:
When Microsoft stops supporting Windows 10, your systems become wide open to hackers, ransomware, and malware. For property managers, this isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a direct threat to tenant financial data, lease records, and compliance documents. One breach could mean lost trust from building owners, legal headaches, or worse, tenant lawsuits.
Software Compatibility:
Property management runs on software like AppFolio, Yardi, and Buildium. Once Windows 10 goes “end-of-life,” updates for these platforms may stop working reliably. Imagine being locked out of your tenant portal during move-in/move-out season—delays like that can cost real money and reputation. At Qual IT, our managed IT services for Salt Lake City property management firms include compatibility testing to prevent nasty surprises.
Compliance Issues:
Regulators don’t care if Microsoft ended support. If you’re caught running outdated systems during an audit, you risk fines, compliance failures, and even losing management contracts. Our IT security team helps Salt Lake City firms stay compliant, so you’re never blindsided.
What Are Your Options?
Microsoft is urging everyone to move to Windows 11. But here’s the catch: many older PCs simply don’t meet the hardware requirements. That leaves property managers facing tough decisions:
- Buy new devices compatible with Windows 11
- Sign up for Extended Security Updates (ESU) to buy more time
- Switch to a different operating system (like Linux, though this is rarely ideal for property firms)
- Ignore the change—and put your entire tenant database at risk (we do NOT recommend this)
No matter which path you take, always back up your rent roll, work orders, and compliance docs before upgrading.
Extended Security Updates (ESU)
If upgrading immediately isn’t realistic, ESU can keep you covered temporarily. But let’s be clear—this is a band-aid, not a long-term fix. Microsoft will only offer ESU for one year past the October cutoff.
Registration options include:
- Paying a $30 annual fee
- Redeeming Microsoft Reward points
- Using the OneDrive backup option (with limited free storage space)
Our advice? Use ESU only as breathing room to plan your full upgrade with an IT provider who understands property management workflows.
Navigating This Transition Without Disruption
For property managers, downtime is not an option. Missed tenant calls or stalled leasing season reports can quickly escalate into lost revenue and angry owners. That’s why partnering with an MSP that knows the ins and outs of property management software is critical.
At Qual IT, we specialize in IT services for Salt Lake City property management firms. Our team helps you:
- Assess device compatibility with Windows 11
- Plan seamless upgrades with minimal downtime
- Protect tenant portals, financials, and compliance data during migration
Final Word
Windows 10 end-of-life is more than an IT update—it’s a business risk that property managers in Salt Lake City cannot afford to ignore. Whether you manage 50 units or 5,000, this transition is your chance to strengthen your IT foundation and avoid costly downtime.
Click here to book your free network assessment today and let’s make sure your property management systems stay secure, compliant, and ready for the future.
