• Citrix platform
• Oct 13, 2025

The ticking clock

It’s no surprise to most users that Microsoft’s end of support for Windows 10 is on October 14, 2025. After that point, Microsoft will stop delivering any security updates and bug-fixes for it. Coincidentally, on almost the same schedule, IGEL has announced that IGEL OS 11 enters End-of-Maintenance on December 31, 2025. The timing couldn’t be worse for IGEL customers. Two hard dates, one urgent decision: replace or repurpose thousands of endpoints that keep your Citrix estate running. 

The security stakes are high. Panasonic ’s March 2025 survey found that 94 % of organizations fear heightened ransomware and malware risk once Windows 10 leaves support.

Why the obvious options disappoint 

If you’re currently on IGEL, upgrading from IGEL OS 11 to IGEL OS 12 means moving to the COSMOS architecture (requiring UMS 12+) and migrating licenses from OS 11’s model to IGEL’s current subscription. Instead of investing in that platform change, move to Unicon OS, which is now part of your Citrix entitlement*, and use the management platform’s automation to migrate at scale with minimal effort. 

Many existing PCs can’t meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements, but they can run Unicon OS flawlessly, without sacrificing performance, security, or manageability – avoiding an expensive hardware refresh. 

Buying Extended Security Updates (ESU) only delays the pain. Commercial pricing starts at US $61 per device for year one and doubles every subsequent year, turning a three-year bridge into a costly cliff-edge. 

A full hardware refresh keeps IT compliant but at an eye-watering cap-ex and environmental cost. Millions of PCs would be scrapped early, and organizations shoulder the disruption of imaging, distribution and device-handover logistics. 

So why waste that investment with older PC hardware and IGEL OS devices? 

Seamless migration from any OS in minutes, fully remote 

Citrix enables a fast, zero‑touch migration from Windows 10, IGEL OS 11, or Stratodesk NoTouch OS (now part of IGEL) to Unicon OS on your existing PCs and thin clients. This same approach also works for Dell Wyse and HP ThinOS devices. Using the intuitive management platform and the automated migration tool, IT can deploy the new operating system remotely in minutes, no desk‑side visits, no manual imaging. Devices auto-onboard and users keep the same Citrix experience. 

Unicon’s OS is a hardened, Linux‑based operating system that strips away unnecessary services, shrinks the attack surface, and boots to a Citrix workspace for a streamlined start. The footprint is tiny—it only requires 4 GB RAM. On disk, the image only requires 8 GB flash (though 16 GB is recommended), so even 2016‑era PCs qualify. 

The intuitive management platform is cloud‑ready and lets IT provision, update, monitor, and secure every Unicon endpoint from a single console with no domain policy, software deployment, or on‑prem Windows patching infrastructure to maintain. 

The duo is proven at scale: it has been deployed in over 65 countries, including regulated banks with fleets of more than 300,000 devices, all already running Unicon. Because Unicon OS is included in the Citrix Platform entitlement*, organizations can typically avoid over 35 % of the hardware spend tied to a Windows 11 migration—and completely avoid any licensing costs with IGEL. 

Security is native: write-protected Linux, secure boot, full-disk encryption, and TPM 2.0 support eliminate entire Windows attack surfaces, while the management platform pushes firmware and policies with silent updates— without user interruption. 

It’s a solution that saves you cost, reduces your business risk, and is rapid to deploy.  

Quantifying the upside 

The IT department of Rhineland‑Palatinate’s state tax office (Germany), repurposed 2,600 Windows devices to Unicon and saved €3.2 million over three years while avoiding 680 tons of CO₂. Today, organizations can achieve similar outcomes with the Unicon migration tool, remotely deploying the OS in minutes without desk-side visits. 

Migration demo 

Watch these migration demo videos to witness just how fast and effortless the process is:

Decision time 

The dates are immovable, but your response is not. Citrix customers already own the solution: 

• Unicon OS and its management platform are now included in your entitlement. Download the automated migration tool, no additional procurement required.* 
• >35 % hardware cost avoided through repurposing. 
• A hardened operating system managed from one console. 
• Lower carbon footprint and the flexibility to plan endpoint refreshes on your schedule, not by OS end-of-life dates. 

Start your Unicon proof‑of‑concept today and turn looming deadlines into a competitive advantage. 

* Eligibility terms apply. Please contact your Citrix team for more information. 

Philipp Benkler

Philipp Benkler is the former CEO of Unicon and current Vice President of Product at Citrix.