Microsoft has recently announced that it will be ending support for its widely popular operating system, Windows 10, on October 14th, 2025. This decision comes as a surprise to many, as Windows 10 has been in use for nearly nine years since its release in 2015.

Users of Windows 10 who wish to continue using the operating system securely will have the option to purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU) from Microsoft. This is the first time that consumers will have the opportunity to buy additional security updates for their Windows 10 devices.

The pricing for these updates will start at $61 for the first year. However, it is important to note that the pricing doubles to $122 for the second year and then doubles again to $244 in the third year. Furthermore, if users decide to enter the ESU program in year two, they will have to pay for year one as well, as the ESUs are cumulative.

Microsoft is also offering a 25 percent discount to businesses that use a Microsoft cloud-based update solution like Intune or Windows Autopatch. This brings down the pricing to $45 per user (up to five devices) for the first year.

For schools, Microsoft has introduced a significant discount, with a $1 license for the first year, followed by $2 for the second year and $4 for the third year.

As Microsoft’s focus shifts to its latest operating system, Windows 11, the company urges consumers to consider upgrading. However, millions of PCs are unable to officially upgrade to Windows 11 due to more strict hardware requirements and Microsoft’s emphasis on security features.

StatCounter reports that Windows 10 is still utilized by 69 percent of all Windows users, compared to only 27 percent for Windows 11. As a result, Microsoft is unlikely to close this significant gap over the next 18 months, forcing Windows 10 users to consider paying for security updates for the first time.