Microsoft to charge consumers for extended support for Windows 10

Microsoft ha anunciado que ofrecerá soporte ampliado para los usuarios de Windows 10 que no estén preparados para actualizar a Windows 11, pero tendrá un coste. La compañía dijo que proporcionará actualizaciones de seguridad mensuales para Windows 10 hasta el 14 de octubre de 2025, pero después de esa fecha, los usuarios que quieran seguir usando el sistema operativo tendrán que pagar por un servicio de suscripción llamado Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU). .

Windows 10 ESU is similar to the service Microsoft offered for Windows 7 users who wanted to continue receiving updates after 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 disclosed 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 subsequent year. This means that users who want to stay on Windows 10 for another five years after 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 upgrade gradually over several months, starting with newer devices and then expanding to older devices. Users can check whether their device meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11 using the PC Health Check app or by visiting the Windows website.

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

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

It also usually means that Microsoft will not release any new security patches after a product leaves its support window. This generally 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 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 October 14, 2025 End of Support (EOS) date. This means that Windows 10 users who purchase ESU 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 enhancements. Second, 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 is another option to get Windows 10 ESU: subscribing to Windows 365, Microsoft’s cloud-based service that streams a full Windows desktop to any device. However, this option is not available to consumers, as Microsoft confirmed to us.

So how much will the Windows 10 ESU subscription cost? Microsoft hasn’t disclosed 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. Pricing also increased by 25% in the second year and 50% in the third year.

If you are a Windows 10 user who is ineligible or not 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 secure. 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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