Microsoft has made headlines with a strategic price reduction for Windows 365, subtly nudging Windows 10 users to consider this option as the deadline for free support approaches. With October 14, 2025, marking the end of support for various Windows 10 versions, the urgency for a solution is palpable.
Extended Security Updates and Windows 365
While Microsoft has yet to lift hardware compatibility restrictions that prevent many older devices from upgrading to Windows 11, it has rolled out the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. This initiative allows users to continue receiving essential security patches for a fee, starting at per device for the first year and doubling in subsequent years.
Alternatively, administrators can choose Windows 365, which offers a more seamless experience. A Windows 10 device can access a Windows 11 Cloud PC through Windows 365, ensuring automatic receipt of security updates.
To sweeten the deal, Microsoft is offering a 20 percent discount for first-time users, applicable for the duration of their Enterprise Agreement contract or the first year of their Windows 365 subscription, whichever is shorter. The company remarked, “The 20 percent discount on all Windows 365 plans for new customers underscores Microsoft’s unwavering commitment to supporting our customers during these uncertain times.”
However, even with this discount, the cost of subscribing to Windows 365 represents a significant leap from merely paying for security updates. For instance, a Windows 365 Cloud PC equipped with 2 vCPUs, 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB of storage currently costs £35.60 per user per month in the UK, €41.40 in the EU, and in the US. This pricing does not favorably compare to the annual cost of ESU.
As Microsoft navigates this transition, recent data from Statcounter reveals a slowdown in the growth of Windows 11’s market share. The gap between Windows 10 and Windows 11 has narrowed to less than ten percentage points, with Windows 10 holding 52.94 percent and Windows 11 at 43.72 percent.
Microsoft’s push towards subscription models has been a long-standing strategy, and the introduction of Windows 365 aligns with this vision. The recent launch of the Windows 365 Link—a device designed solely to connect to a Windows 365 Cloud PC—exemplifies this shift, alleviating concerns for administrators regarding end-user hardware management.
The timing of this offer, which concludes on October 31, 2025, appears strategically aimed at administrators facing the imminent end of Windows 10 support. While the Windows 365 option is appealing, users who prefer to stay with Windows 10 and still wish to receive updates have various alternatives to consider, even with the new discount in play.
