Extended Security Updates Archives

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Windows 10 version of Microsoft 365 apps will be supported until 2028—but this isn’t the Microsoft u-turn you may think it is

Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 applications, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028, despite the end of official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. A misleading blog post suggesting that Microsoft 365 Apps would cease support on Windows 10 after the 2025 deadline was clarified by a Microsoft spokesperson as not being an official announcement. Extended Security Updates (ESU) are now available to individual consumers, previously limited to commercial clients and educational institutions. Users can purchase ESU, consider third-party security patches, or transition to Linux if they wish to move away from Microsoft’s ecosystem. Additionally, Microsoft recently announced layoffs of 7,000 employees.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 support deadlines changed? This story just won’t die

Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft 365 Apps will continue to function on Windows 10 devices, but Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid potential performance issues. Microsoft will provide security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after the end of support, ending on October 10, 2028. However, Microsoft will not test new releases on Windows 10 after the end-of-support date. Support for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 will have limitations, including advising upgrades to Windows 11 for issues that do not occur on Windows 11, limited troubleshooting assistance for customers unable to upgrade, and no option to log bugs or request additional updates. These support options do not apply to consumers using the Personal and Family editions of Microsoft 365.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Microsoft extends Office app support on Windows 10 to 2028

Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 for an additional three years, extending support until October 10, 2028. This decision follows the initial plan to cease support after Windows 10's end of support on October 14, 2025. Updates will be delivered through standard channels to assist users during their transition to Windows 11. Microsoft is also offering Extended Security Updates, allowing consumers an additional year of updates and businesses the option to purchase up to three years of extended updates.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Windows 10 M365 apps to get security fixes into 2028

Microsoft will provide security updates for Windows 10 users until October 10, 2028, despite the end of official support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft 365 subscribers on Windows 10 will continue to receive security patches for applications like Word and Excel, but support will be limited to troubleshooting for those unable to upgrade to Windows 11. If issues arise that are exclusive to Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 and do not occur on Windows 11, users will be encouraged to upgrade. Transitioning to Windows 11 has faced resistance due to hardware requirements, particularly affecting users of older Surface devices. As of now, Windows 10 holds a 53 percent global desktop market share, while Windows 11 has 44 percent.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

Microsoft loosens the noose on Windows 10 users with new end-of-support timeline

The official end of Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025, after which users will no longer receive technical support, new features, or security patches. Windows 10's global desktop market share has decreased from nearly 70% to approximately 53% over the past year, indicating a shift towards Windows 11. Microsoft 365 apps, including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and OneDrive, will continue to receive security updates on Windows 10 until October 2028. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program offers optional, paid security patches for Windows 10 after its end of support. Users may face significant hardware costs when upgrading to Windows 11, and alternatives like macOS or Linux are also options to consider.

Winsage

May 11, 2025

Microsoft Confirms New Free Update Deadline For Windows Users

Microsoft has extended support for Microsoft 365 applications on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028, providing an additional three years of security updates. This change comes after the company had previously announced that support would end on October 14, 2025. The extension aims to assist the 240 million Windows 10 users who cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations, allowing them to transition without immediate pressure to purchase new hardware. Microsoft has stated that while they will provide troubleshooting assistance for issues with Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10, users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 for optimal performance and reliability.

Winsage

May 10, 2025

Windows 10 End of Support: Should Developers Be Concerned?

Developers using older machines may struggle as Windows 10 approaches its end of support, with many unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. Microsoft encourages upgrades but acknowledges the challenges posed by older systems. While some users can still perform daily tasks on Windows 10, workarounds exist for installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. The conversation around transitioning to Linux has gained traction, with user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu and Linux Mint offering alternatives that can run alongside Windows. Users can explore various platforms, as many services now operate seamlessly across different systems. For those sticking with Windows 10, Extended Security Updates are available but come with risks of security vulnerabilities. Users with older machines face several choices: hack the system, invest in new hardware, explore Linux, pay for updates, or ignore the warnings.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 unless users enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Upgrading to Windows 11 may be difficult for PCs older than five or six years due to strict compatibility requirements, including a CPU on the approved list and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Users may encounter error messages if their hardware does not meet these criteria. There are workarounds for some users, particularly those with PCs designed for Windows 10, but older devices, especially with AMD processors, may face significant challenges. To upgrade, users must ensure their PC is configured to start with UEFI, supports Secure Boot, and has an enabled TPM. A registry edit can allow bypassing CPU checks and accepting older TPM versions. Alternatively, a clean installation of Windows 11 can be performed using installation media, which bypasses CPU compatibility checks but still requires TPM and Secure Boot support. Microsoft has introduced new restrictions with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update, requiring CPUs to support specific instructions (SSE4.2 and PopCnt). For those opting to use the Rufus utility to create installation media, it is essential to use version 4.6 or later to bypass compatibility checks. Users must download the Windows 11 ISO, prepare a USB drive, and follow specific steps to initiate the upgrade process.

Winsage

May 8, 2025

As Windows 10’s death looms, Linux fans still promote “no ads or telemetry” for your old laptop instead of buying a Copilot+ PC

Windows 10 will reach its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025. Users can either upgrade to Windows 11, purchase an additional year of support through the Extended Security Updates program, or switch to a different operating system. Approximately 240 million PCs are not ready for Windows 11 due to its stringent system requirements. The End of 10 group is advocating for users to switch to Linux instead of upgrading hardware for Windows 11, highlighting Linux's advantages such as being free, open-source, and environmentally friendly. They encourage users to explore beginner-friendly Linux distributions and assure support from the Linux community. Windows 11 currently holds a market share of 42.69%, while Windows 10 has a dominant 54.2%.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

As support for Windows 10 counts down, End of 10 asks ‘why not Linux?’

Microsoft plans to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users whose hardware does not meet the requirements for upgrading to Windows 11 have alternatives, such as transitioning to Linux. The End of 10 initiative encourages Windows 10 users to consider Linux as a way to rejuvenate their existing hardware, especially for those with machines not primarily used for gaming. To upgrade to Windows 11, users need a processor from Intel's 8th generation or AMD's Ryzen 2000 series at a minimum. The End of 10 website provides resources for users hesitant about installing Linux and addresses concerns about electronic waste, highlighting that 62 million tonnes of e-waste were generated in 2022, with projections of 82 million tonnes by 2030.