Microsoft's announcement that it will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, has thrown both businesses and consumers into a scramble, as for the first time, they will need to pay to continue using the operating system securely. The software giant will offer Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, with businesses paying anywhere from $61 to $244 per device over three years. This development spotlights how technology companies balance profit and user dependency, leaving millions of Windows 10 users evaluating their next move.
So, why is this significant? Microsoft's move marks a shift from its usual practice of extending support primarily to businesses. This time, consumers too will have to dig into their pockets. Many people still use Windows 10, which was launched in 2015, making the transition to Windows 11 harder due to the newer system's strict hardware requirements.
Now for a bit of context. Historically, Microsoft has kept older operating systems alive with paid security updates exclusively for organizations. It's a lifeline for businesses running legacy software that can’t be easily updated. But this time, the company is acknowledging a massive base of individual users who, for various reasons, can't—or won’t—upgrade to Windows 11.
Microsoft recently revealed on its Windows IT Pro Blog that the initial year of ESU for commercial organizations will cost $61 per device, doubling each subsequent year to $122 and then $244. Interestingly, if businesses join the ESU program in the second year, they will have to pay for the first year as well since these updates are cumulative. A 25 percent discount will be available for companies using a cloud-based update solution like Intune or Windows Autopatch, dropping the price to $45 per user for up to five devices for the first year.
Although Microsoft has laid out pricing details for businesses, it has yet to disclose the costs for consumers. However, the company's decision to include consumers in its ESU program for the first time highlights the urgency of upgrading or paying for security patches. Consumers will be able to subscribe to these updates annually but must keep an eye on the official announcements for precise details.
Let's not forget the educational sector, where Microsoft will offer year-one ESU licenses for a mere $1. This cost advantage scales to $2 in the second year and $4 in the third. While schools get a budget-friendly deal, ordinary consumers might find themselves without such incentives, putting pressure on them to upgrade to Windows 11 or start budgeting for ongoing security updates.
Microsoft has made it clear that these ESUs are not sustainable long-term solutions but rather temporary bridges to Windows 11. “Extended Security Updates are not intended to be a long-term solution but rather a temporary bridge,” Microsoft explained in a blog post. The offering will be available one year before the end of support date, meaning consumers and businesses alike will need to make plans starting in October 2024.
The hardware requirements of Windows 11 have been a stumbling block. Only machines with CPUs released from 2018 onwards and with TPM security chips can upgrade. This has left many users tethered to Windows 10, despite their wishes to transition. Statistics reveal that, according to StatCounter, Windows 10 is still used by 69 percent of all Windows users, compared to just 27 percent for Windows 11.
So what happens now? Companies, schools, and consumers have a critical decision to make. Do they continue with Windows 10 and pay the escalating costs of ESUs, or bite the bullet and invest in new hardware compatible with Windows 11?
One thing is for sure: the tech landscape will experience significant shifts over the next few years. Schools might push for budget increases to cover IT expenses, companies will reassess their digital infrastructures, and consumers will need to weigh their options carefully.
Interestingly, Microsoft’s approach this time around contrasts sharply with its past actions. Take Windows XP, for instance, which received an emergency patch in 2017 to ward off a ransomware attack, three years after extended support ended. Will Microsoft offer similar patches for Windows 10 after its end-of-life date? Only time will tell.
What remains certain is that, with or without these extensions, the clock is ticking for Windows 10 users. Whether you are running decade-old educational software on a school computer or handling sensitive business operations, you'll need to decide how to navigate this looming deadline.
To sum up the sentiment, perhaps Microsoft said it best in its blog post: “Organizations that run legacy software are at a higher risk of security breaches and potential compliance violations. While Windows 10 PCs will continue to function after they reach the end of support, they will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, feature improvements, or security issue resolutions.”
The stage is set for a tantalizing blend of corporate strategy, technological evolution, and consumer choice. As the end of support date inches closer, the tech world watches with bated breath.