Many businesses, schools, and individuals still use Windows 10, and while this won’t cause problems right now, it might when Windows 10 support ends in 2025.
Let’s take a closer look at what will happen and what this means for you.
When and why is Windows 10 support ending? Even though Windows 10 is the most popular Windows desktop operating service, Microsoft has decided to end support for this beloved platform on October 14, 2025.
In addition to possible financial incentives, Microsoft wants to focus on its newer products, such as Windows 11, which have more current functionality and improved performance characteristics.
Moreover, in today’s rapidly developing technological and cyber world, newer Microsoft products have more robust security features.
And with rumors that Windows 12 could arrive in late 2024 or early 2025, it’s no wonder it’s time to say goodbye to Windows 10.
Can you keep using Windows 10 after October 2025?
So far, details have only been released for organizations and educational institutions, with more information to be released in October 2024 (one year before general support ends).
No matter what happens, to continue using Windows 10 safely after the deadline, you’ll need to pay for Extended Security Updates (ESUs). If you opt for this solution, you will need to verify that you are using Windows 10, version 22H2.
More specifically, ESUs will include critical security updates for Windows 10 PCs. However, they won’t give you new features and design changes.
Nor will you receive regular technical support (technical support is only available if you need help activating and installing ESUs).
Prices for ESUs are estimated to be as follows:
For organizations: $61 for the first year, $122 for the second year, and $244 for the third year. For educational institutions: $1 for the first year, $2 for the second year and $4 for the third year.
For personal customers: Unfortunately, Microsoft hasn’t released the cost for individuals yet, possibly because it’s easier for you or me to make a change than it is for organizations or schools with hundreds of users and devices.
The price for personal customers is likely to be somewhere between the price for organizations and educational institutions, but we hope to have this confirmed in October 2024.
It’s worth noting that you can’t get ESUs for more than three years after 14 October 2025, nor can you pay for partial support (such as a six-month subscription).
Furthermore, if you decide to join the ESU program in your second or third year, you will have to pay for all three years, as the ESUs are cumulative.
In short—yes, you can still use Windows 10 after October 2025, but you’ll need to take steps to make sure you’re getting security updates. Ultimately, ESUs are only a short-term (and expensive) solution.
What will happen if I do not subscribe to ESU? If you continue to use your Windows 10 PC after October 2025, it will continue to work, but it will not receive security updates, bug fixes, feature improvements, or patches for security issues.
This significantly increases your chances of suffering a security breach and will make your transition to Windows 11 a bigger leap because you won’t have experienced the latest features that Windows has to offer.
Also, as other software and hardware develop, Windows 10 will fall behind, meaning you’ll eventually struggle with compatibility issues.
