After nearly 10 years, Windows 10 will officially reach its end of support on October 14, 2025.
This means Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates, feature updates, or technical support for the operating system. Your Windows 10 devices will still work, but without regular security patches, they’ll become increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks and compliance risks.
If your business isn’t able to move all devices to Windows 11 before that deadline, there’s an option to buy more time: Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU).
What is Windows 10 ESU?
The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program is a paid subscription from Microsoft that allows you to keep receiving critical and important security updates after the end-of-support date.
It’s designed for organizations of all sizes that need a little extra time to finish their Windows 11 migration, without leaving devices exposed.
Key details:
- Available to both individuals and organizations
- Provides critical and important security updates only (no new features or non-security fixes)
- Support is limited to ESU license activation, installation, and troubleshooting related to ESU itself
- Devices must be running Windows 10 version 22H2 to qualify
How Long Does ESU Last?
Commercial and educational customers can receive security updates for up to three years after Windows 10’s end of support:
| Year | Coverage Dates | Price Per Device* |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Nov 2025 - Oct 2026 | $61 |
| Year 2 | Nov 2026 - Oct 2027 | $122 |
| Year 3 | Nov 2027 - Oct 2028 | $244 |
*Pricing doubles each year. ESUs are cumulative, if you join in Year 2, you must also purchase Year 1 coverage.
ESU Enrollment is for one year at a time, and you can stop once all of your devices are upgraded to Windows 11. However, ESU is only available for a maximum of three years, ending in October 2028. After that date, there will be no further security updates or upgrade options for Windows 10.
When ESU is Free
If your Windows 10 devices run in one of these environments, ESU is included at no additional cost:
- Windows 365
- Azure Virtual Desktop
- Azure Virtual Machines
- Azure Dedicated Host
- Azure VMware Solution (includes Citrix and Omnissa Horizon)
- Nutanix Cloud Clusters on Azure
- Azure Local (formerly Azure Stack HCI)
- Azure Stack Hub and Azure Stack Edge
- Windows 10 devices connected to Windows 365 Cloud PCs (with an active Windows 365 license)
Limitations of ESU
ESU does not include:
- New features or design changes
- Customer-requested non-security updates
- General Windows 10 technical support
- Partial-year purchases (you must buy a full year at a time)
Our Recommendation
While ESU is a smart safety net for devices that can’t be upgraded right away, it’s not a long-term solution.
The sooner you migrate to Windows 11, the sooner you’ll benefit from:
- Modern, built-in security enhancements
- Ongoing feature and compatibility updates
- Lower costs compared to rising ESU subscription fees
Our team can help you:
- Identify which devices need ESU coverage and which can be upgraded now
- Enroll eligible devices into ESU to maintain protection
- Build a phased Windows 11 migration plan that works for your timeline and budget
Next Steps
If you know you won’t have all devices on Windows 11 by October 14, 2025, don’t wait. We can help you secure your environment and plan for the future.
Reach out to us today to review your options and keep your systems protected.