Microsoft has unveiled a new option for Windows 10 home users, allowing them to postpone their transition to Windows 11 for an additional year by purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU) for . This announcement marks the first time the tech giant has attached a price tag to this program, which was initially introduced in December 2023.
Details on Windows 10 Support Timeline
As it stands, Windows 10 is set to reach its end of support on October 14, 2025. Post this date, users will no longer receive crucial bug fixes or security updates, leaving their systems vulnerable to newly discovered threats. However, it’s important to note that specialized versions of Windows, such as the Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) and Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), will continue to receive updates beyond this deadline. For example, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 will be supported until January 13, 2032, while Windows 10 2016 LTSB will see its extended end date on October 13, 2026.
“The ESU program for consumers will be a one-year option available for . Program enrollment will be available closer to the end of support in 2025,” stated Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer.
According to Statcounter Global Stats, a significant portion of the market still relies on Windows 10, with over 62% of all Windows systems running this version, compared to just 33% operating on Windows 11, nearly three years after its launch in October 2021.
In a recent update to a tech community blog, Microsoft disclosed that it will begin offering Extended Security Updates to enterprise customers starting November 1, with the first ESU set to be delivered in November 2025. “We’ll share more details on the availability of the cloud-based Extended Security Update offer on our price list in the future,” the company noted.
For home users contemplating a switch before Windows 10’s end of support, Microsoft recommends checking whether their current PC can be upgraded to Windows 11. If not, purchasing a new Windows 11 device may be the best course of action. “With the Windows 10 End of Support moment, now is the time to move to Windows 11 with confidence. We understand change is never easy, but we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible,” Mehdi emphasized.
In a nod to its ongoing commitment to Windows 10, Microsoft also reopened the Windows 10 beta channel in early June, announcing the release of the first Windows 10 Beta build since 2021, a notable development after almost three years of inactivity in the Beta and Release Preview channels.
