Microsoft Offers Extended Support To Millions Of Windows 10 Users
Microsoft has extended support for Windows 10 for another year, in exchange for a small fee. Here's what you need to know.
Kate O'Flaherty, Senior Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
6/10
Key Takeaways
Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 cost $61 per device for the first year, with prices doubling each subsequent year (up to three years total).
Windows 10 still runs on an estimated 400 million devices globally, many of which lack sufficient hardware (TPM 2.0, modern CPUs) to upgrade to Windows 11.
The ESU program applies to Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions; Home users must purchase a separate subscription or upgrade.
Original end-of-support date was October 14, 2025; the ESU pushes patches to October 2026, but only for paying customers.
Analysts predict 200–300 million devices will enroll in ESU during the first year, generating over $12 billion in revenue for Microsoft.
Without ESU, Windows 10 devices will no longer receive security patches, increasing vulnerability to ransomware and zero-day exploits.
Millions of Windows 10 users face a hard deadline—and a new fee. Microsoft has extended support for Windows 10 for another year, but only for those willing to pay. The move buys time for the estimated 400 million devices still running the aging OS, but it also signals the end of an era. **WHO**: Microsoft. **WHAT**: Announced a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10, offering an additional year of security patches. **WHERE**: Global, with impact concentrated in enterprises and consumers in the U.S. and Europe. **WHEN**: Original end-of-life was set for October 2025; the ESU program extends support to October 2026. **WHY IT MATTERS NOW**: Hundreds of millions of devices are incompatible with Windows 11 due to hardware requirements, leaving users with a choice: pay for security, upgrade hardware, or face unpatched vulnerabilities. **CONTEXT**: Windows 10 launched in 2015 and became the most widely used desktop OS, peaking at over 1 billion monthly active users. Microsoft had originally pegged October 2025 as the end of free updates, pushing users to Windows 11—but low adoption and compatibility issues forced a rethink. The ESU program mirrors what Microsoft did for Windows 7, offering paid patches for up to three years. **KEY DETAILS**: The first year of ESU costs $61 per device for enterprise customers, with prices rising annually. Consumers will likely pay a similar fee, though details are still emerging. Only devices running Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions are eligible; Home users must upgrade or subscribe to the paid plan. Microsoft has not disclosed how many users will enroll, but analyst estimates suggest 200–300 million devices may opt for ESU. **ANALYSIS**: Security experts warn that without updates, Windows 10 becomes a goldmine for hackers—zero-day exploits will proliferate. The ESU fee is a short-term fix; it underscores a deeper problem: Microsoft’s hardware requirements for Windows 11 (TPM 2.0, 8th-gen CPU or newer) have locked out a vast installed base. “This is basically a tax on procrastinators and businesses with legacy hardware,” says one cybersecurity analyst. For Microsoft, it's a revenue stream and an admission that its upgrade strategy is flawed. **OUTLOOK**: Users have one year to migrate. Microsoft is expected to push Windows 11 more aggressively, potentially relaxing hardware requirements. Enterprise IT departments will weigh ESU costs against new hardware purchases. For consumers, the clock is ticking—October 2026 is the drop-dead date for free security patches. Expect renewed calls for right-to-repair and longer support lifecycles for operating systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Windows 10 extended support, officially called Extended Security Updates (ESU), is a paid program that provides critical security patches for Windows 10 devices after the official end-of-life date (October 2025). It extends support by up to three years, with fees increasing each year.
For the first year, the cost is $61 per device for enterprise and education editions. Prices rise to $122 for the second year and $244 for the third. Consumer pricing for Home edition has not been finalized but is expected to be similar.
The program is available for Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Windows 10 Home users are not directly eligible, though Microsoft may offer a separate subscription. All devices must be running the latest version of Windows 10 (22H2) to enroll.
If you don't enroll in ESU, your Windows 10 device will stop receiving security updates after October 2025 (or October 2026 if you purchase year one). The device will become increasingly vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and other cyberattacks as new vulnerabilities are discovered.
The ESU program covers three years total, with support ending in October 2028 for the final year. However, the current announcement only guarantees the first year (October 2025–October 2026). Microsoft may offer subsequent years separately.
Yes, but details are still emerging. Microsoft has indicated that consumers will be able to purchase a one-year ESU subscription for Windows 10 Home. Pricing and availability are expected to be announced closer to the end-of-life date.
