In less than two years, Microsoft is still pulling the plug on Windows 10 support for users in these versions, but the company threw the public a bone with its recent extension. This centers on three more years of security updates for Windows 10 users amidst the massive messages from the company to migrate and upgrade to the latest Windows 11.
Microsoft's latest offer for those who want to stay with Windows 10 or cannot upgrade will soon roll out additional details under the Extended Security Update (ESU).
Windows 10 Extends Three More Years of Security Updates
There is good news for all wanting to stay or have no choice but to remain with Windows 10, as Microsoft recently announced that there is an extension available for users that offers three more years of security updates for the last-gen OS. This means that users may continue receiving security updates despite having an end-of-service (EOS) date for Windows 10, which would arrive by October 14, 2025.
According to the company, this is similar to the Windows 7 ESU program offered amid the transition to Windows 8.
It is important to note that under the ESU, no new features will come for Windows 10, with customers no longer getting their requests fulfilled by the company. Under this, users may only see the design that would last arrive with Windows 10's yearly updates until 2025.
Read Also: Microsoft Will No Longer Sell Windows 10 Starting Feb. 1; Users Forced to Switch to Windows 11?
Windows 10 ESU Until 2027/28, But With a Catch
Windows 10 ESU has a catch, and it will be available for users willing to pay a yearly subscription to Microsoft to get continuous security updates for their old OS. Microsoft said that its yearly commitment is renewable for the duration, likely to arrive after the 2025 EOS, around 2027 or 2028.
Technical support will no longer be available under the Windows 10 ESU. Windows 365 customers with a Cloud PC running Windows 11 and Azure Virtual Desktop under Windows 10 will get the ESUs for free.
Microsoft said it will release the pricing soon.
Microsoft's Windows Operating System
In 2021, Microsoft announced its current-generation operating system, Windows 11, to replace the previous OS, which it deployed for around six years before the new version. However, it also signaled the nearing end of Windows 10 in October 2025, totaling as much as 10 years of operations before it finally sunsets and ends the support for the computer OS.
Still, the current adoption of Windows 11 does not mean the end for Windows 10, as Microsoft promised the continued yearly updates coming for the last-gen OS to arrive for its users until its EOS. These updates will center on patches and a few additional features, unlike what Microsoft will deliver for Windows 11, yet it still offers more compared to previous OS versions.
Windows 11 indeed sees a slower adoption rate compared to Windows 10, with many still using the previous-gen Windows for their computers. Not all users can upgrade and switch to Windows 11 as there are hardware limitations and other factors, with Microsoft fulfilling future security updates with a yearly subscription fee until 2026 or 2027.
Related Article: Windows 11 Sees Lower Adoption Compared to Windows 10-Already on 400M PCs
