The countdown has begun. Windows 10 will be unsupported on October 14, 2025. This means that in just under a year, all users who still use this operating system will stop receiving security updates. The main consequence of this scenario will be greater exposure to threats that circulate on the Internet.
On this occasion we will have at our disposal a solution that until now was limited only to corporate users: pay to continue receiving updates. This is the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will allow us to extend the life of the operating system exceptionally, but for a certain time.
ESU pricing for Windows 10
Until now Microsoft had announced that the annual ESU license would cost $61 for business clients. This led many to intuit that the Redmond company would maintain the same Price for the rest of the users, but this has not been the case. Non-corporate clients who wish to join the program must make a reduced payment.
We are talking about 30 dollars that will be disbursed one time. In exchange we will receive access to the extended update program, but only for a period of one year. What does this mean? Basically we will not be able to pay another $30 to renew the license and continue receiving security updates in Windows 10.
Corporate users who start by paying $61 per year can extend their stay in the program for a maximum term of three years. Now, this also has its cost. The license price will double every year. And, if this were not enough, if they decide to enter during the second year they will also have to pay for the first year.
Microsoft’s message is very clear: it wants users to switch to Windows 11. But it is not that simple either. The entry bar to the new operating system is too high for some users, mainly in terms of hardware requirements. And it is not as easy as adding more RAM, the requirements this time are much more existing.
There are many processors that are left out of the equation that provides compatibility with Windows 11. In addition, computers must have TPM 2.0. Calculations from a year ago estimated that there were around 400 million computers that could not be updated to Windows 11, which would force their owners to Buy new computers.
Images | Microsoft
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