Microsoft has unveiled its pricing strategy for extended Windows 10 support, and it's not cheap for businesses. As the popular operating system enters its final year of official support, organizations face tough decisions about upgrading or paying for continued updates.
Here are the key details of Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10:
- Business costs start at $61 per PC for the first year, doubling each subsequent year
- A full 3-year subscription will total $427 per PC
- Education customers get a significant discount, paying just $7 total over 3 years
- Consumers are still in the dark about potential costs and options
The high price tag for businesses appears designed to push upgrades to Windows 11. However, many PCs currently running Windows 10 aren't compatible with the newer OS, leaving organizations in a bind.
Some discounts are available:
- Cloud-based management services like Intune reduce first-year costs to $45
- Windows 365 subscribers get free ESU licenses for physical Windows 10 devices
- Nonprofit discounts are planned but details aren't finalized
Importantly, the ESU program only covers security updates. New features, non-security fixes, and design changes are excluded. Technical support is also limited.
For consumers and small businesses, Microsoft has yet to reveal any details about extended support options. With the October 14, 2025 end-of-support deadline looming, millions of Windows 10 users face uncertainty about the future of their devices.
Microsoft's sustainability claims are at odds with their buy a new PC recommendation for incompatible hardware. The company needs a more comprehensive plan to support the vast number of Windows 10 devices that will need updates beyond 2025.
In related news, Microsoft recently patched a critical security flaw (CVE-2024-43491) affecting certain Windows 10 versions. This vulnerability could have allowed attackers to exploit previously fixed issues by rolling back security updates. Affected users should carefully follow Microsoft's specific patching instructions to resolve the issue.
As the Windows 10 era draws to a close, both organizations and individuals will need to closely monitor Microsoft's evolving support plans and carefully weigh their options for maintaining system security in the years ahead.
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| The Microsoft headquarters with a promotional message about Windows, reflecting the company's focus on its operating system products |