Microsoft Windows 10 Extended Security Updates: Pricing and Details
Microsoft has unveiled the cost of Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 users to continue using the operating system securely beyond October 2025.
Microsoft Windows 10 Support Ending in 2025
Microsoft has officially announced the end of support for Windows 10, set for October 14th, 2025. This means that users who wish to continue using the operating system securely will need to enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
For the first year of ESU, users will have to pay $61 to receive security updates. The pricing goes up to $122 for the second year and then doubles again to $244 in the third year. It's important to note that if you decide to opt into the ESU program in year two, you will also have to pay for the first year.
- Year 1: $61
- Year 2: $122
- Year 3: $244
Extended Security Updates for Businesses and Consumers
Businesses and consumers alike will need to purchase ESU licenses for each Windows 10 device they plan to keep using after the support end date. Microsoft is offering a 25 percent discount to businesses that utilize a Microsoft cloud-based update solution such as Intune or Windows Autopatch, bringing the cost down to $45 per user for the first year for up to five devices.
Schools will also receive discounted pricing, with Microsoft offering a $1 license for year one, $2 for year two, and $4 for the third year. However, there doesn't appear to be any special discount pricing for individual consumers at this time.
Transition to Windows 11
While Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11, many are hesitant due to the more stringent hardware requirements and security features of the new OS. Windows 11 is only supported on CPUs released from 2018 onward and devices with TPM security chips, making it incompatible with millions of older PCs.
According to StatCounter, Windows 10 is still used by 69 percent of all Windows users, compared to just 27 percent for Windows 11. This significant gap leaves many Windows 10 users facing the decision of whether to pay for security updates or upgrade to Windows 11.
As Microsoft continues to push for the adoption of Windows 11, users will need to weigh the costs and benefits of sticking with Windows 10 or making the switch to the newer operating system.
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