Microsoft To Offer Extended Security Updates For Windows 10 After 2025 End-Of-Life
Similar to what Microsoft did for Windows 7, the extended security update program for Windows 10 will allow customers to purchase a yearly subscription to security updates for up to three years after the company stops supporting the operating system in 2025.
Microsoft said it will offer extended security updates to organizations and individuals using Windows 10 PCs for three years after it ends support for the operating system in 2025.
The Redmond, Wash.-based tech giant announced the extended security updates for Windows 10 in a Tuesday blog post, which explained what Microsoft’s end of support for the operating system means for customers and what options they have for moving to Windows 11.
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The company has previously announced that it will end support for Windows 10 on Oct. 14, 2025, which is when it will stop providing “bug fixes for issues, security fixes for vulnerabilities, time zone updates, or technical support for problems that might occur.”
Windows 10 received its last feature update, version 22H2, in October of last year. However, Microsoft recently announced that it plans to bring its Copilot AI assistant to Windows 10.
What Is Microsoft’s Windows 10 Extended Security Program?
While Microsoft said it is encouraging customers to transition to Windows 11 with compatible devices or buy new PCs, the company said it knows there are circumstances that could prevent them from doing so before the Windows 10 end-of-life.
Similar to what Microsoft did for Windows 7, the extended security update program for Windows 10 will allow customers to purchase a yearly subscription to security updates for up to three years after it stops supporting the operating system in 2025.
For the first time, the company will offer the program to individuals in addition to organizations who have traditionally been the target audience for extended security updates of expiring operating systems.
As part of the program, paying customers will receive monthly security updates for Windows 10 PCs, according to Microsoft. However, the program will not include “new features, customer-required non-security features, or design change requests.”
“Technical support beyond the [program] itself is also not available,” the company added.
Microsoft said it will provide extended security updates “at no additional cost” to customers running Windows 10 instances in the Azure Virtual Desktop cloud service or those accessing Windows 11 through the Windows 365 cloud service on Windows 10 PCs.
The company did not disclose pricing for the program or more details about how individuals can access it, but it said it will provide more updates in the future.
Microsoft Highlights Options For Moving To Windows 11
In the blog post, Microsoft called Windows 11 its “most secure” operating system yet and said, “its extensive capabilities, including Copilot in Windows, are designed to help keep your organization protected and productive.”
“These measures include built-in advanced encryption, data and credential protection, robust system security and network safety, and intelligent safeguards against evolving threats,” the company said.
When it comes to transitioning to Windows 11 from the operating system’s predecessor, customers have three main options: upgrading eligible PCs using Windows Autopatch or Microsoft Intune, buying new Windows 11 Pro PCs or using Windows 365 on a Windows 10 PC to access Windows 11.