Microsoft to let Windows 10 home users buy Extended Security Updates

Microsoft to let Windows 10 home users buy Extended Security Updates

December 5, 2023 at 01:35PM

Post-Windows 10 EOS on October 14, 2025, Microsoft offers customers—including home users—paid Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for an additional three years. The final Windows 10 release is the 22H2 version, but LTSC versions will have longer support. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 or use Windows 365. ESUs won’t include new features or non-security updates. Pricing details are pending.

Meeting Takeaways:

1. Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will be available to all Windows 10 users, including home users, after the end-of-support (EOS) date on October 14, 2025.

2. Post EOS, there will be no new technical assistance or updates for bugs affecting security, stability, or the usability of Windows 10.

3. The last version of Windows 10 will be 22H2, which will continue to receive monthly security updates until the EOS date.

4. Windows 10 Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) versions will continue to receive updates past the October 2025 EOS, following their specific lifecycles (e.g., Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 until January 9, 2029, and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 until January 12, 2027 for IoT Enterprise edition).

5. IT administrators are advised to upgrade systems to Windows 11 or migrate to Windows 365 cloud to maintain security and bug fix updates.

6. For Windows 365 users, ESUs will be provided at no extra charge for Windows 10 devices linked to Windows 11 Cloud PCs, and similarly, for Windows 10 within Azure Virtual Desktop, barring consumption costs.

7. Data from Statcounter Global Stats indicates that 68% of all Windows-powered systems currently use Windows 10, with only 26% on Windows 11.

8. Microsoft will offer the ESU program for home users who choose not to upgrade or whose devices are not eligible for Windows 11.

9. The ESU program will cover critical and important security updates but exclude new features, non-security customer-requested updates, or design changes.

10. Pricing for the ESU subscriptions for both enterprise and home users is yet to be disclosed, with further announcements expected in the future.

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