Microsoft to charge consumers for extended Windows 10 support

Microsoft has announced that it will offer expanded support for users of Windows 10 who are not ready to upgrade to Windows 11, but it will cost you. The company said it will provide monthly security updates for Windows 10 until October 14, 2025, but after that date, users who want to continue using the operating system will have to pay for a subscription service called Windows 10 Extended Security Updates ( IS U). .

Windows 10 ESU is similar to the service that Microsoft offered for Windows 7 users who wanted to continue receiving updates after the end of support in January 2020. However, unlike Windows 7 ESU, which was only available to business and education customers , Windows 10 ESU will be open to all consumers who have a valid license for Windows 10 Home or Pro editions.

Microsoft has not yet revealed pricing or availability details for Windows 10 ESU, but it is expected to be similar to Windows 7 ESU, which started at $25 per device per year for the first year and increased by $25 each year thereafter. This means that users who want to stay on Windows 10 for another five years after the end of support could end up paying $175 per device.

Microsoft said it is offering Windows 10 ESU as a way to help customers transition to Windows 11 at their own pace and ensure they have a secure and reliable experience on their devices. However, the company also emphasized that Windows 11 is the best way to enjoy the latest features and innovations from Microsoft and its partners, and that it is designed to run on most devices that can run Windows 10.

Windows 11 will be released on October 5, 2021 as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices. Microsoft said it will roll out the update gradually over several months, starting with newer devices and then expanding to older ones. Users can check if their device meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11 by using the PC Health Check app or by visiting the Windows website.

If you're not willing to switch from Windows 10 when its support ends in about two years, you might be interested in some mixed news: Microsoft is giving you more support options, but they come at a price.

Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will end support on October 14, 2025. This means, as usual, that Microsoft will not add any new features after that date.

It also typically means that Microsoft will not release any new security patches after a product leaves its support window. This usually implies an end-of-life situation: without security updates, your use of Windows 10 or another product is exposed to any bugs or vulnerabilities that are found. You use it at your own risk, essentially.

Microsoft sometimes offers a way out. As it has before, businesses will have the option to purchase an Extended Security Update, an opportunity to pay Microsoft for additional bug fixes and patches as they transition to Windows 11. The difference is that consumers will now also have the option. opportunity to purchase an Extended Security Update – the first time Microsoft has allowed consumers to do this.

Microsoft has announced that it will offer Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 devices that cannot upgrade to Windows 11 before the end of support (EOS) date of October 14, 2025. This means that Windows 10 users Those who purchase ESU The subscription will continue to receive monthly security patches for up to three years after the EOS date.

The ESU program is similar to the one Microsoft offered to Windows 7 users who wanted to keep their devices secure after official support ended in January 2020. However, there are some differences and limitations that Windows 10 users should be aware of.

First, the ESU program only covers critical and important security updates, not new features or improvements. Secondly, the ESU subscription is renewable annually and the price may increase each year. Third, Microsoft will not provide any technical support or customer service for Windows 10 devices enrolled in the ESU program. Fourth, the ESU program is only available for Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions, not Home or Education editions.

For businesses, there's another option to get Windows 10 ESU: subscribing to Windows 365, Microsoft's cloud-based service that streams an entire Windows desktop to any device. However, this option is not available to consumers, as Microsoft confirmed to us.

So how much will Windows 10 ESU subscription cost? Microsoft hasn't revealed pricing details yet, but we expect it to be similar to the Windows 7 ESU program, which started at $50 per device per year for Enterprise customers and $200 per device per year for Pro customers. The price has also increased by 25%. in the second year and 50% in the third year.

If you are a Windows 10 user who is not eligible or ready to upgrade to Windows 11, you may want to consider the ESU program as a way to extend the life of your device and keep it safe. However, you should also be prepared to pay a premium for this service and eventually migrate to Windows 11 or another operating system.

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