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Microsoft Windows 10 will receive Extended Security Updates (ESU) just like Windows 7. However, getting these security updates will be expensive.
Most of the Windows 10 editions will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025. This may seem a little far off, but the date is approaching fast, especially for Windows 10 loyalists. Microsoft has indicated that it will offer paid security updates for Windows 10 after the OS hits its end of life.
Getting Windows 10 Security Updates after the OS hits its end of life will be costly
Microsoft has published a detailed blog post reminding Windows 10 users they have limited time with a fully supported and regularly updated Operating System.
End of life for an OS essentially means it won’t receive new features, updates, or security patches. However, Microsoft has supported Windows 7 with Extended Security Updates for quite a long time after the company replaced it with Windows 10.
Microsoft released Windows 11 in October 2021. The OS is now more than two years old. It succeeds Windows 10. However, millions of PC users refuse to ditch Windows 10 and upgrade to Windows 11 even though the latter is still free for legitimate users.
However, Microsoft will not offer free support for Windows 10 after October 14, 2025. The company will, however, offer paid support. Needless to say, Microsoft will only offer security updates.
Windows 10 security updates will become paid
Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 starting at $61 for the first year.https://t.co/pveGjmqB3g pic.twitter.com/Ns3TCaBLkw
— Enderman (@endermanch) April 3, 2024
Microsoft is reportedly offering three paid options for businesses looking to continue using Windows 10. There’s the traditional 5-by-5 activation key method, a cloud-based activation method, and activation that comes bundled with a Windows 365 subscription.
The 5-by-5 activation key method will need users to purchase and download an activation key. They would have to enter this key into their Windows 10 PC. This key will be valid for a year. The base license package for Windows 10 ESU will cost $61 per device per year.
Businesses that have been using a Microsoft cloud-based update management solution such as Microsoft Intune or Windows Autopatch, can get a hefty discount. A Windows 10 ESU license, activated through Microsoft’s cloud solutions, will cost $45 per user, and it will be valid for up to five devices for one year.
Should businesses opt for a Windows 10 ESU subscription?
There’s no doubt Windows 10 ESU subscriptions are quite expensive, especially for businesses that have hundreds of PCs that will need security updates.
Windows 11 does have a stringent hardware requirement. In other words, businesses will have to upgrade hardware to ensure Windows 11 compatibility or acquire a Windows 10 ESU subscription.
Either way, Windows 10 won’t get any feature updates after October 2025. Moreover, it is not clear how long Microsoft will release security updates for Windows 10. If that’s not scary enough, Microsoft may increase the price of the Windows 10 ESU subscription for each additional year.
As for non-commercial Windows 10 users, upgrading to Windows 11 would essentially be mandatory. Incidentally, Microsoft hasn’t yet offered any ESU subscription for Windows 10 intended for personal or educational use.
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