Microsoft’s decision to cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, has stirred significant discontent among users. Many have voiced their preference for Windows 10 over its successor, Windows 11, citing concerns over design flaws and stringent system requirements. This sentiment is echoed by a public interest group, PIRG, which has petitioned Microsoft to reconsider its stance, warning that the discontinuation could lead to an unprecedented surge in discarded computers.
For those still reliant on Windows 10, Microsoft offers the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which provides an additional year of support. However, the terms of this program have shifted; the cost has changed from per device to a flat fee of for up to 10 devices, necessitating a Microsoft Account for payment. Users also have the option to use 1,000 Microsoft Reward points to cover the cost, allowing them to avoid cash transactions altogether.
Alternatively, Windows 10 users can synchronize their PC settings with the cloud through a Microsoft Account, enabling them to receive security updates for an extra year at no cost. The enrollment process for the ESU program is facilitated via a dedicated app that began rolling out in waves in July. However, as the deadline approaches, many users have yet to access this crucial update.
<blockquote class="reddit-card" id="1mop0dx/isthewindows10esuprogrammalready_avaible”>Is the Windows 10 ESU program already available? from r/Windows10
Those who have access to the update should see an ‘Enroll’ button in the Windows Update panel, allowing them to sign up for the program as the end of Windows 10 looms. Despite the urgency, many users remain without access to the ESU program. Microsoft has assured that the option to enroll will become available to Windows 10 users before the operating system’s official cutoff date. The rollout of the ‘Enroll’ button appears to be gradual, with no current method to expedite its appearance. Speculation suggests that the button may become widely accessible around September 9, 2025, coinciding with a significant update for Windows 10.
An extended year of Windows 10 support is enough
Despite Microsoft’s efforts to cushion the blow for Windows 10 users through the ESU program, various organizations have criticized the initiative as insufficient for the more than 400 million PCs that cannot transition to Windows 11. The Restart Project, which collaborated on the “End of 10” toolkit, argues that Microsoft’s approach feels like a temporary fix rather than a sustainable solution. They assert that this decision not only accelerates the premature disposal of devices but also undermines initiatives aimed at extending product lifespans, thereby increasing pressure on resource management systems.
In response to the impending end-of-life for Windows 10, another group, End of 10, is advocating for users to migrate to Linux. This campaign encourages loyal Windows 10 users to abandon the Windows ecosystem entirely, promoting Linux as a viable alternative for outdated devices, highlighting its lack of advertisements and telemetry tracking as key advantages.
Ultimately, while the ESU program offers a temporary reprieve, users will eventually need to transition to a supported operating system, likely Windows 11. Microsoft has been clear about its intentions to encourage upgrades, recently deploying a full-screen notification urging users to upgrade their PCs before the end of support, further emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
