The countdown has begun: Windows 10 support ends on Oct. 14, 2025. After this date, all users of this operating system will no longer receive security updates, increasing their exposure to online threats.
However, there’s a solution that Microsoft has, until now, limited to corporate users: paying to continue to receive updates. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program allows users to extend the operating system’s lifespan, but only temporarily.
ESU Pricing for Windows 10
Microsoft announced that the annual ESU license for enterprise customers will cost $61. This led many to believe the company would apply the same price for all users, but this isn’t the case. Non-corporate users who wish to join the program will pay a reduced, one-time fee of $30.
This one-time payment grants access to the extended upgrade program, but only for one year. Unlike corporate users, individual users won’t have to pay again to renew the license and continue receiving security updates for Windows 10.
Corporate users, on the other hand, start by paying $61 per year and can remain in the program for up to three years. However, the fee doubles each year, and those joining during the second year must also pay for the first year.
Microsoft’s message is clear: It wants users to switch to Windows 11. The new operating system comes with significant hardware requirements, and upgrading is more challenging than simply adding more RAM. Requirements are stricter this time around.
Many processors won’t support Windows 11, and devices must include TPM 2.0. Previous estimates suggested that around 400 million computers would be ineligible for Windows 11, potentially forcing users to buy new devices.
Images | Microsoft
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