Since Windows 10 systems will end support on October 14, 2025, Microsoft is providing paid ESU Extended Security Updates for individuals and businesses who cannot upgrade to Windows 11. Through Extended Security Updates, individuals and businesses can continue to receive official security updates from Microsoft.
For individual and home users, Microsoft provides up to 1 year of extended security updates, with a standard price of $30 per computer; for corporate users, up to 3 years of security updates are available, and the price will increase significantly every year. Microsoft hopes to attract companies to upgrade their systems as soon as possible in this way.
Starting today, Microsoft will open registration for ESU extended security updates to all users (including individuals and enterprises) in the Windows Insider preview program. Enterprise IT administrators can also test the new ESU registration wizard in advance. The registration wizard will be available to users of the official version starting in July 2025.
In terms of price, individual users can use free alternatives, including using Windows Backup to back up data to OneDrive or using 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points to offset $30 to get 1-year Extended Security Updates, or you can choose to pay $30 to get Extended Security Updates yourself.
Enterprise devices cost $61 per device in the first year and will increase year by year. Now enterprise IT administrators can also register to use Windows 10's ESU Extended Security Updates through the volume licensing program, which means they can register paid security updates for multiple enterprise devices at once.
In addition, Microsoft also provides free security updates to Windows 365 cloud computers. Cloud computers are cloud office computers launched by Microsoft for enterprises. After being connected through a thin client, you can work in the cloud. All data is only retained in the cloud to ensure security.
Windows 365 cloud computers can get 3 years of free security updates, that is, you can get free updates until October 10, 2028. Of course, Windows 365 itself has a higher subscription price, and free security updates are also considered a benefit.