Windows 10 can be used in a HIPAA-compliant manner only when it is deployed and managed under a HIPAA Security Rule program that enforces administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for endpoints that create, receive, maintain, or transmit electronic protected health information, and its continued use after Microsoft ends standard support on October 14, 2025 requires documented risk management controls because routine operating system security updates will no longer be provided.
Windows 10 is an operating system and does not provide HIPAA compliance by itself. HIPAA compliance depends on secure configuration, identity and access management, encryption, audit controls, malware defense, vulnerability remediation, and governance over how workforce members use devices and store or transmit electronic protected health information. A device running Windows 10 can be part of a compliant environment when those controls are implemented and maintained.
The end of standard support changes the risk profile for Windows 10 endpoints used in regulated workflows. After October 14, 2025, Microsoft no longer provides security updates, feature updates, or technical support for Windows 10 under standard support terms. Operating endpoints without operating system security updates increases exposure to newly discovered vulnerabilities, which affects the organization’s ability to maintain reasonable and appropriate safeguards under the HIPAA Security Rule.
An organization that continues using Windows 10 after end of support should document a risk analysis that addresses endpoint exposure, clinical operations dependencies, and compensating controls. Compensating controls typically include strict device management, enforced encryption, account and privilege controls, multi-factor authentication for access to systems containing electronic protected health information, restricted local storage, removable media controls, network segmentation, continuous monitoring, and timely remediation of vulnerabilities in applications and device firmware. Audit logging and incident response procedures should address endpoint compromise indicators and evidence preservation.
Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 that provides a time-limited path to continue receiving security updates through an annual subscription. Use of Extended Security Updates does not remove the need to plan migration to a supported operating system, and organizations should treat Extended Security Updates as a temporary control while completing upgrades, hardware refresh, application validation, and workforce change management.
Windows 10 supports HIPAA compliance when it is part of a managed endpoint environment with enforced safeguards, and the end-of-support date requires a documented transition plan or documented compensating controls aligned to the organization’s risk management decisions.