ESU Archives

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Microsoft to Freeze Microsoft 365 Features on Windows 10 in 2026, Pushing Users to Windows 11 Upgrade

Microsoft will stop delivering new features for Microsoft 365 applications on Windows 10 starting in August 2026, while continuing to provide security updates until October 2028. Users on the Current Channel will be the first affected, followed by those on the Monthly and Semi-Annual Enterprise Channels in October 2026 and January 2027, respectively. After these dates, all Windows 10 devices will only receive essential security patches. Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11, which will have exclusive new features, while Windows 10 will remain secure but stagnant. Windows 10 will reach its end of support on October 14, 2025, after which users will need to pay for Extended Security Updates.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Don’t Want to Upgrade to Windows 11? Microsoft Offers Free Windows 10 Security Updates

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 in October 2025, which currently holds a 53% share of installations. To assist users during this transition, Microsoft is offering a complimentary option for security updates that requires linking accounts to OneDrive for cloud backup. Users can access a sign-up wizard for the Extended Security Updates program starting in July 2025, allowing updates until October 13, 2026, with businesses able to purchase up to three additional years of updates.

Winsage

July 14, 2025

Windows 7 runs natively on the Steam Deck — desktop OS enthusiast aims to push beyond portrait mode-only limit

Bob Pony revealed on Twitter/X that Windows 7 can run natively on the Steam Deck. The Windows 7 interface appears in portrait mode due to compatibility issues with the Steam Deck's Van Gogh APU, which requires drivers for Windows 10 and 11. Pony has hinted at testing Temple OS next, and previously showcased Windows 8.1 on the Steam Deck. Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 are considered retro, with Windows 10 expected to join them soon. Valve may launch SteamOS for desktops in 2025, coinciding with the retirement of Windows 10.

Winsage

July 14, 2025

Microsoft’s extra year of free Windows 10 security updates feels like a last-minute snooze button — while groups like “The Restart Project” still want to help users

Microsoft will officially cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users are expressing dissatisfaction with Windows 11 due to its stringent system requirements and design flaws. The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has launched a petition against Microsoft's decision, warning it could lead to significant electronic waste and contradicts Microsoft's sustainability goals. Microsoft plans to extend security updates for Windows 10, but users must sync their settings with a Microsoft Account to receive them. Approximately 400 million Windows 10 PCs may not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. The Restart Project highlights that nearly half of all Windows computers still run on Windows 10 and is advocating for repair and the use of free and open-source operating systems. They have developed an 'End of Windows 10' toolkit for community repair groups. The Restart Project has called for stronger durability and repairability rules, economic changes to discourage disposable products, and increased efforts for reuse and repair of electronic waste. Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share, with reports indicating 50.88% for Windows 11 compared to 46.2% for Windows 10. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 PCs are significantly faster than Windows 10 PCs, although this has been met with skepticism.

Winsage

July 14, 2025

Anti-Microsoft “End of Windows 10 toolkit” released for unsupported Windows 11 PCs

Microsoft has begun rolling out the KB5001716 update for Windows 11 and Windows 10, amid speculation about the end of support for Windows 10. The company has stopped stealthily installing new feature updates but acknowledges ongoing bugs. Microsoft introduced new options for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing users to extend support for an additional year at no cost. The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) criticized these measures, stating they may not save many systems unable to upgrade to Windows 11. The Restart Project has raised concerns about Microsoft's hardware requirements for Windows 11, which make many modern systems obsolete, and has launched an "End of Windows 10" toolkit to assist community repair groups. LibreOffice is encouraging users with unsupported devices to consider transitioning to Linux.

Winsage

July 12, 2025

Microsoft fixes the ESU blues for Windows 10 users

Microsoft has rolled out a fix for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) wizard for Windows 10 Insiders, addressing a glitch that caused the enrollment process to crash. The update is available in the Release Preview Channel and resolves an issue where the ESU enrollment wizard would close when users clicked "Enroll now." This tool is essential for maintaining security updates for Windows 10 after official support ends in October 2025. The Release Preview Channel for Windows 11 24H2 introduces a change, replacing the Blue Screen of Death with the Black Screen of Unexpected Restart as part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative. Corporate usage of Windows 11 has surpassed 50.6 percent, a 16.8 percent increase since early 2025, driven by upgrade campaigns and new hardware rollouts. Windows 10 will reach its end-of-life on October 14, 2025, and nearly half of all business devices are still running it. Kieren Jessop from Canalys noted that the surge in Windows 11 adoption is primarily driven by the U.S., and the transition to Windows 11 is expected to be lengthy, similar to the persistence of Windows 7 after its end in January 2020. He mentioned that the slow transition could help demand in the PC market, as older devices are replaced over time.

Winsage

July 11, 2025

Can’t upgrade your Windows 10 PC? You have 5 options and 3 months to act

The end-of-support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025, after which Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, security, or reliability fixes. Users can continue using Windows 10 without updates at their own risk, buy new PCs or rent virtual PCs through Windows 365, switch to a Linux distribution or ChromeOS Flex, sign up for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued security updates, or attempt to upgrade incompatible hardware to Windows 11 through specific methods.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

Can’t quit Windows 10? Here’s how to keep getting security updates after October 2025

Microsoft has introduced a one-year Extended Security Update (ESU) subscription for consumers, available for a fee. Additionally, two free enrollment options have been made available: syncing settings to the cloud using Windows Backup and redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. The ESU subscription is limited to personal use and cannot be renewed after the initial year, with security updates ending on October 13, 2026. The enrollment wizard for consumers will start rolling out in July, with full availability by the end of August.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

Windows 11 is Now The Most Popular Version of the OS According to Statcounter

Windows 11 has a market share of 52% as of July 2025, up from 47.98% in June. Windows 10's market share has decreased from 48.76% to 44.59% during the same period. Since January, Windows 11's share has increased by 15.35 percentage points from 36.65%. The end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025. Microsoft has introduced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for consumers that offers one year of free security updates. A new enrollment wizard for the Windows 10 ESU program will be rolled out this month. For organizations, the ESU program costs per device for one year, with annual price increases for up to three years of support. Windows 11 version 25H2 is anticipated to be released in October, with new features gradually rolled out to version 24H2 through enablement packages.

Winsage

July 4, 2025

Microsoft’s extra year of Windows 10 security updates isn’t a “viable solution” for the 400 million PCs that can’t upgrade to Windows 11 — “It’s obvious users are frustrated and feel yanked around.”

Windows 10 will reach its end-of-life support on October 14, 2025, prompting backlash from users and a petition from the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) urging Microsoft to reconsider its decision. Microsoft will provide free security updates beyond the end-of-life date, but only under specific conditions, leading to concerns about accessibility due to stringent system requirements. PIRG argues that the updates will not sufficiently address the needs of the estimated 400 million Windows 10 PCs unable to upgrade to Windows 11. Users have limited options, including syncing settings to the cloud, redeeming Microsoft Reward points, or paying for extended security updates (ESU). While Microsoft has made some concessions, such as offering ESU for individuals and affordable pricing for educational institutions, it has not committed to extending Windows 10 support or easing Windows 11's hardware requirements. Windows 11 is gaining market share, reaching 47.73% in June, while Windows 10 holds 48.92%. Microsoft is promoting Windows 11 and its AI-enhanced features, claiming significant performance improvements. Additionally, a movement called End of 10 is encouraging users to switch to Linux as Windows 10's end-of-life approaches, highlighting benefits like the absence of ads and telemetry tracking.