You Can Keep Using Windows 10, but It’s Going to Cost You
Microsoft Announces Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU)
For the first time, Microsoft is offering Extended Security Updates (ESU) to home users. The ESU program for Windows 10 allows Windows 10 users to purchase extended security updates for Windows 10 devices beyond the end of mainstream support (October 14, 2025).
These updates are crucial for maintaining system security and protecting against malware, viruses, and other online threats. Using Windows 10 beyond October 14, 2025, without Extended Security Updates exposes users to significant potential vulnerabilities.
How much do ESU licenses Cost?
Microsoft has a tiered pricing structure with annual price increases:
-
Standard ESU License:
- Year 1: $61 per device
- Year 2: $122 per device (doubles from Year 1)
- Year 3: $244 per device (doubles from Year 2)
Who Should Consider ESU Licenses?
The ESU program is primarily designed for organizations and individuals using Windows 10 computers that cannot be readily upgraded to Windows 11 by October 14, 2025. This may include businesses with specialized software requiring Windows 10 compatibility or organizations with a lengthy hardware refresh cycle.
And let’s be honest. It’s also for individuals who cannot upgrade to Windows 11 because their current hardware does not support Windows 11 or for those who do not want to or cannot afford to buy a new computer
Alternatives to ESU Licenses:
Unless you want to switch to another operating system like Linux or buy a Chromebook or an Apple computer, your other alternative is upgrading to Windows 11 if your current computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 or buying a new computer. This is certainly the least costly alternative since upgrading to Windows 11 is free. The downside is that many Windows 10 computers are not upgradeable to Windows 11 as they don’t meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11.
Buying a new Windows 11 computer may be a more cost-effective solution in the long run. Windows 11 offers continued security updates and Windows 11 is certainly more like Windows 10 than Linux or Chromebooks. And a new Windows 11 computer is certainly more like Windows 10 and far less costly than an Apple computer.
The Bottom Line
The ESU program provides a way to extend security updates for Windows 10 devices beyond October 14. 2025. However, the increasing yearly cost requires careful consideration. It may be frugal to pay $61 for the first year but every year after that, the cost doubles.
When you consider you can buy a decent Windows 11 laptop or desktop for less than $350, paying $122 for year #2 and $244 may not make much sense for most people as those dollars would be better spent on buying a new computer.
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Sounds like a crock of crap to me. We paid once for a computer running Windows 10. And now for us to continue using it we have to pay extra for the secruity. Wouldn’t it be better is we just payed for own secruity? Or would there be none available?
That is exactly what you’re doing with Microsoft’s ESU plan – paying for your own security. This is not antivirus software this is protection for the Windows operating system and all the vulnerabilities that are exploited over time if they are not patched. ESU allows you to continue to use the nearly ten-year-old Windows 10 without OS vulnerabilities and to continue to receive patches for new vulnerabilities that over time may be exploited by malicious scripts and bad actors.
Well my computer could not be upgraded to Windows 11. So I would maybe pay for the first year as my computer is older and if it keeps on running I may do that. If my computer dies then I would have to buy a new one and that would be Windows 11 but I would not like it too much I happen to like Windows 10 and I am sad to see it go.
None of mine can install that one problematic security update still. Unless they get that fixed I’m not likely to give them more money.