Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. For users (primarily corporate ones) who, for certain reasons, will not be able to switch to a newer OS but will still need a secure work environment, the company has arranged the option to receive security updates on a paid subscription basis.
Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 users. The price for this offer starts at $61 for the first year. Enterprises and consumers will need to purchase ESU licenses for each Windows 10 device they plan to continue using after the support deadline. Prices for additional security updates will be presented to consumers for the first time starting with Windows 10.
For companies, the first year of ESU costs $61. Then the price doubles to $122 in the second year, and then doubles again to $244 in the third year. If you participate in the ESU program in the second year, you will still have to pay for the first year as well, as ESU accumulates. The mentioned prices apply only to commercial organizations, and details on prices for consumers "will be provided later."
"Extended Security Updates is not a long-term solution, but rather a temporary bridge," Microsoft explains. "You can purchase ESU licenses for Windows 10 devices that you do not plan to update to Windows 11 starting from October 2024, one year before the support date ends."
Microsoft offers a 25% discount to companies using Microsoft cloud solutions for updating, such as Intune or Windows Autopatch. When using computers and laptops with Windows 10 to connect to Windows 11 Cloud PC via Windows 365, Microsoft will not charge for security updates, as the licenses are included in the Windows 365 subscription cost.
Educational institutions will receive a discount. Microsoft offers a license for $1 in the first year, $2 in the second year, $4 in the third year. It does not seem that Microsoft plans to offer special discounts for consumers.
Source: The Verge
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