Microsoft has published a short guide on preparing for Windows 10's end of support in about a year. The guide notes, among other things, the possibility of purchasing an Extended Security Updates (ESU) subscription that will keep Windows 10 PCs secure for a fee of $30 per year. For the first time, this service will be accessible to both individual consumers and business clients, as outlined a year ago.
The ESU program enables users to receive essential monthly security patches after October 14, 2025, ensuring that systems remain protected from evolving cyber threats. Unlike previous ESU offerings limited to commercial clients, this new subscription will also include consumers on personal devices. This subscription will run annually, with monthly updates addressing only critical security issues as identified by Microsoft's Security Response Center. No additional features, improvements, or updates beyond essential security patches will be released for Windows 10 after October 2025.
