What you need to know
- Microsoft has confirmed pricing for Extended Security Updates on Windows 10 beyond October 2025 for consumers.
- Consumers still using Windows 10 beyond the end of support date will have to pay $30 for an additional year of security updates.
- Consumers can only pay for one year of extended support, after that you’re out of luck.
- You don’t have to pay for updates, but that will leave you vulnerable to potential security exploits.
As a tech enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I find myself constantly navigating the ever-evolving landscape of software updates and security measures. Microsoft’s recent announcement about Windows 10 Extended Security Updates beyond October 2025 has certainly piqued my interest.
The deadline for continued support on Windows 10 is quickly approaching, currently scheduled for October 14, 2025. In a blog post today, Microsoft has announced that users of Windows 10 Home or Pro will need to pay around $30 to stay supported with security updates. This payment will enroll your computer into the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program provided by Microsoft, offering an extra 12 months of monthly security patches to keep your Windows 10 system secure.
For the first time ever, Microsoft is allowing consumers to join the ESU program, likely because it foresees a large amount of people remaining on Windows 10 beyond its end of support date. For users who can’t move from Windows 10, the ESU program is a great option if you want to remain secure on the aging platform.
Absolutely, it’s your choice whether or not to continue paying for more security updates for Windows 10. If you decide not to, you may choose to operate your computer without these updates. However, this could potentially expose your system to any newly discovered security vulnerabilities or bugs in the operating system post-end of support, making it more susceptible to potential exploits.
Starting next year, consumers will have to pay for update services only for a period of one year, as Microsoft has confirmed. After October 2026, there will be no more options for purchasing security updates. However, commercial and educational customers are given the opportunity to extend their update services for two additional years beyond October 2026; unfortunately, this option is not applicable for individuals using Windows 10 on personal devices.
I, as an observer, am sharing that Microsoft has announced plans to disclose additional details about enrolling in extended support for Windows 10 sometime in the coming year. In the meantime, users can continue using their Windows 10 without charge for another 11 months. Interestingly, Microsoft suggests upgrading to Windows 11 for enhanced security, but not every Windows 10 computer is compatible with Windows 11. Consequently, the extended support updates program serves as a crucial solution for those incompatible devices.
What does end of support mean?
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer be required to offer regular, free security updates and patch-ups for Windows 10. Consequently, software creators and device makers might stop providing assistance for Windows 10, although this shift may not occur instantly.
Initially, after the support period ends, there won’t be significant modifications. Windows 10 will carry on functioning as usual, and built-in applications will still receive updates through the Microsoft Store. However, over an extended period, possibly several years, third-party applications and drivers might cease to be officially compatible with Windows 10. This could result in troubles with running your preferred apps and devices.
The end of support is simply a normal phase in the life cycle of Windows operating systems. Just as it occurred with Windows XP and Windows 7, there will come a time when Microsoft can no longer provide updates or technical assistance for the OS. Eventually, third-party manufacturers of hardware and software may also stop supporting these older versions.
The main concern after support ends is ensuring your security. If you’re using an outdated version of Windows 10 for internet access, recently discovered security loopholes could potentially be exploited by harmful software or viruses. While Windows 10’s built-in antivirus will keep receiving definition updates until October 2028, this doesn’t provide complete protection against malware.
Essentially, for the highest level of security, you have two choices: either purchase access to the ESU program or switch to Windows 11, whether by updating your current Windows 10 PC or buying a new Windows 11 device. Although Windows 11 has demanding system requirements, it’s technically possible to install Windows 11 on a Windows 10 PC that doesn’t meet the official requirements. However, this is not advisable unless you are determined to stay secure and don’t wish to make any purchases.
Approximately 60% of Windows users continue to operate Windows 10 on their computers, amounting to approximately 900 million active devices. This is a significant majority, with Windows 11 accounting for around 30%, or roughly 500 million devices. It will be intriguing to observe the decrease in Windows 10 usage over the next year and how this might influence the growth of Windows 11.
About a year ago, we announced that Windows 11 was being used on more than 400 million active devices each month. Back then, Microsoft was pleased with how quickly they reached this milestone, and they anticipate a new influx of users transitioning to Windows 11 over the next 12 months.
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2024-10-31 19:09