Why upgrade now?
Staying on End of Life (EOL) tools isn't just about missing features; it steadily increases technical debt and risk.
Security & Compliance
- Unsupported versions of RAD Studio receive no patches.
- BDE has had no security updates since 2002, leaving over two decades of unpatched exposure in production.
- Enterprise contracts increasingly mandate SBOM generation and demonstrable patch management.
- Windows 10 reached End of Life in October 2025. Applications targeting it now run on an unsupported OS.
Your UI is a Retention Risk
- Blurry or misaligned apps on modern displays signal an unmaintained product to your users.
- A dated interface is among the top reasons end users push for competing products at renewal.
- 73% of users reach for their phone first. A Windows-only app is invisible to that audience.
- Per-Monitor V2 HiDPI, Premium VCL Styles, Skia animations, and FireMonkey for mobile. All available today, no rebuild required.
What Modern Teams Already Have
- Teams using FireDAC report up to 20% faster data access compared to BDE or ADO.
- Native AI integration enables both IDE-level automation and the deployment of AI-driven logic directly within user applications.
- Native 64-bit and Windows on Arm targets run directly on hardware, with no emulation overhead.
- Full compliance with Apple App Store and Google Play API-level requirements, including mandatory 64-bit targets.
Which scenario best matches your project today?
Pick the option that is closest to your current stack or immediate objective. You can still explore all guides afterwards.
Select your scenario above to see a personalised recommended path.
High-Impact Modernisation Opportunities
Once your baseline is stable, these are some of the most commercially relevant ways older Delphi and C++Builder teams are extending their applications today.
AI & Productivity
AI-Assisted Development & AI Features
Use newer RAD Studio releases to speed up work in the IDE and add practical AI capabilities into existing applications.
Explore this pathWeb Delivery
Web Development with WebStencils
Deliver modern web experiences from existing Delphi or C++Builder bussiness logic without committing to a full rewrite.
Explore this pathWindows Roadmap
Windows on Arm
Validate support for newer Windows device classes and reduce long-term compatibility risk as the hardware mix changes.
Explore this pathHow to use this center
Use this as a practical roadmap to reduce migration risk, improve maintainability, and take advantage of current platform capabilities.
Step 1
Fix blockers first
Start with compatibility and stability items (Unicode, 64-bit, data access, components) to reduce surprises later in the process.
Step 2
Prioritize by project goals
Use the scenario selector and matrix to focus on what matters most for your codebase, release plan, and business constraints.
Step 3
Expand intentionally
After the baseline is stable, move into modernization paths such as modern UI, services, web delivery, AI features, mobile, Linux, and Windows on Arm based on your roadmap.
Choose Your Path Forward
First ensure your foundation is solid, then modernize your application's capabilities.
Upgrading Track
Fix the things that may block compilation and deployment when moving to the current version.
Modernising Track
Add new capabilities and expand your application's reach, platform distribution, and value.
Not sure where to start? Assess your project first.
The Delphi Upgrade Advisor Wizard in RAD Studio can analyse your existing project for configuration issues, invalid paths, and outdated patterns before you begin migration work.
Ready to take the next step?
Our migration specialists have helped thousands of Delphi and C++Builder developers modernize their legacy architecture safely and efficiently.