Microsoft Details Windows 10 Paid Security Plan Ahead of 2025 Deadline

Microsoft has rolled out updated details for its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 as it is approaching end-of-life in 2025.

Microsoft has rolled out updated details for its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, ensuring that Windows 10 devices continue to receive essential security patches well beyond the official end-of-support date of October 14, 2025.

According to the latest guidelines published on Microsoft Learn, organizations will pay $61 USD per device for Year One, with fees doubling in subsequent years over a three‐year period.

This update comes as part of Microsoft’s broader effort to transition users away from legacy systems, a strategy that has been detailed in earlier reporting on the phase‐out of free Windows 11 upgrades and the end of Microsoft 365 support for Windows 10, as discussed in our coverage on Windows 10 end-of-support and the paid security lifeline.

Licensing Details and Upgrade Guidance

Under the new ESU program, updates will begin approximately one year before Windows 10 reaches its end-of-support, with the first update scheduled for November 2025. The program utilizes a 5-by-5 activation method available through Volume Licensing.

 
Notably, devices running Windows 10 in cloud environments such as Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop will receive security updates free of charge. Although the ESU program offers a temporary measure for continued protection, it does not include feature enhancements, quality fixes, or general technical support.
 
In light of these changes, Microsoft advises that while Windows 10 PCs will continue functioning, users should upgrade to Windows 11 to benefit from enhanced security and performance.
 

As stated in the official guidance, “Windows 10 PCs will continue to work, but we recommend customers upgrade eligible PCs to Windows 11 using Windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, or transition to a new Windows 11 PC for the best, most secure computing experience.”

This recommendation underscores the necessity of moving to a more secure platform and is part of a larger narrative about the dwindling free upgrade window, as covered in previous reporting on Windows 10 support cessation.

Hardware Security and the TPM 2.0 Debate

The ESU update arrives amid broader discussions on hardware security, notably regarding the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 requirement for Windows 11.

TPM 2.0 is a specialized hardware chip that securely stores cryptographic keys and enables system features like BitLocker and Secure Boot, effectively serving as a secure vault for sensitive data. Critics, however, argue that mandating TPM 2.0 forces users to upgrade perfectly functional hardware.

The introduction of the ESU program is part of a calculated market strategy to phase out support for Windows 10 and shift users to Windows 11. This strategic pivot is underscored by previous reports on the end of free Windows 11 upgrades and the discontinuation of Microsoft 365 support for Windows 10.

The changes compel enterprises and individual users to carefully weigh the cost of extended security support against the benefits of upgrading.

Additional Perspectives and Future Outlook

The ESU program id a temporary yet necessary measure that underscores Microsoft’s intent to retire Windows 10. The cumulative licensing fees and the exclusion of non-security updates highlight a strategic shift towards a more secure operating environment provided by Windows 11.

This not only affects budgeting and upgrade cycles for enterprises but also sets a precedent for the handling of legacy software support.

Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus has been covering the tech industry for more than 15 years. He is holding a Master´s degree in International Economics and is the founder and managing editor of Winbuzzer.com.

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