Microsoft will allow consumers to pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 when support for the platform ends in 2025. The software company only offers paid security updates to companies that need to continue running older versions, but plans to offer them now. Instead of extending the support date for Windows 10 for the first time through an annual subscription service for individuals.
“While we strongly recommend moving to Windows 11, we understand that there are situations that may prevent you from switching devices to Windows 10 before the end of support date. Therefore, Microsoft will provide extended security updates,” explains Microsoft. In a blog post. “The ESU program for Windows 10 contains important and/or critical security updates. ESUs do not include new features, customer-requested non-security updates, or design change requests. Technical support beyond ESU is also not available.
Windows 10’s support date is October 14, 2025, 10 years after Microsoft first introduced the OS. Many expected Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support, especially since it is still widely used, and with such a large gap (almost six years) between Windows 10 and Windows 11, it is surprising that Microsoft offers the same ESU program to regular users. Three years of additional security links for businesses.
“If you are an individual consumer or an enterprise and choose to continue using Windows 10 after support ends on October 14, 2025, you will have the option to enroll your computer in the Paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program,” explains Microsoft. On the Frequently Asked Questions page. Microsoft has yet to detail pricing for its extended Windows 10 security patches. “More details, including pricing, will be provided later,” Microsoft says.
It’s a surprising move on the part of consumers, just weeks after Microsoft revealed it was “rethinking” its approach to Windows 10. Microsoft is adding its AI-powered Copilot to Windows 10 and is making “additional investments” to include additional AI features. the future. Microsoft is not planning any major updates for Windows 10.
Windows 10 is still an incredibly popular operating system, especially with less than two years of support left until you can switch to Windows 11 (or whatever comes next) or pay for security updates. Windows 7 support ended in 2020, 10 years after it was launched, and extended security updates ended earlier this year. Mainstream support for Windows XP ended after just eight years, and extended support ended after nearly 13 years.
Microsoft is forced to provide free security updates for Windows 10 beyond the support date. Windows XP received a highly unusual patch in 2017, three years after extended support ended, to prevent a major ransomware attack. If Windows 10 falls victim to something similar in the future, we may see a similar move repeated.
