Overview
- Microsoft updated its support documentation late Thursday to extend the Extended Security Updates (ESU) window for consumer Windows 10 devices so enrolled machines will receive security patches through October 12, 2027.
- Users already registered for ESU will continue to get monthly security updates automatically and do not need to take further action to keep receiving patches.
- Residents of the European Economic Area who sign into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account retain free ESU access while other private users face the existing roughly €30 one-time fee to enroll.
- Business customers remain on a separate paid ESU track that can be bought for up to three years with tiered per-device pricing reported at about €60 for year one, €120 for year two, and €240 for year three.
- Microsoft applied the change quietly by editing support and blog pages rather than issuing a broad announcement and said the extension aims to give users more time to choose and prepare a move to Windows 11 as Windows 10 still accounts for a significant share of active PCs.