The Windows 10 operating system is reaching the end of its “life” in a few months. Microsoft will not release any updates for the operating system after October 2025 unless the company’s home and business customers sign up for ESU.
ESU, or Extended Security Updates, extends the support fee for one year for consumers and up to three years for businesses. This is the first time consumers have the option to extend support for their systems.
When Microsoft announced ESU, confirmed that consumers will have to pay $30 to receive the additional updates.
Microsoft Executive Vice President Yusuf Mehdi, but announced two additional options for the Extended Security Updates program in Windows 10 this week.
Microsoft is giving people more options to participate in ESU on their Windows 10 devices. In addition to the already confirmed $30 payment, users can also sign up by redeeming 1.000 Microsoft Reward points or using Windows Backup to sync settings to the cloud.
So we have the options:
- 30 dollars in local currency,
- using Windows Backup to sync your settings to the cloud
- redeem 1.000 points from Microsoft Rewards.
You can see your Microsoft Rewards points by opening the Bing Rewards websiteYou can earn rewards by searching on Bing, making purchases, and providing you are signed in to a Microsoft account.
PCs will be automatically enrolled in ESU once you select one of the payment methods above. Microsoft guarantees updates through October 13, 2026 for enrolled devices.
Timetable for registration:
Today: Windows Insiders can enroll in Windows 10 ESU.
July: The option is available to Windows 10 customers.
August: Wide availability of choice.
Organizations will pay $61 per device to receive critical and important security updates. They will be able to renew annually for up to three years, but the cost will increase each year.
Cloud and virtual environments are automatically enrolled at no additional cost, according to Microsoft.
Microsoft has confirmed that Microsoft 365 apps will receive security updates until October 10, 2028. However, feature updates will stop in August 2026.
Microsoft Defender will also be updated until October 2028 to keep devices protected.
A truly free solution
Windows 10 LTSC expires in 2027+2032 (what you can do)
Although the press releases will range from very select to rare, I said I'd pass...because sometimes the editors hide.
