Overview
- Microsoft announced Monday that it has extended the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program until October 12, 2027 to keep critical patches available for remaining users.
- Private users must register for the free ESU service to receive updates but devices already enrolled will continue to get patches automatically.
- Microsoft sent an informational email to enrolled ESU customers titled “Stay secure for another year,” and outlets warn the message can land in Outlook’s Other folder and be overlooked.
- Separately, Microsoft will proceed with a wave of 2026 retirements affecting 15 products, including Windows 11 24H2 and Office 2021 on October 13, 2026 and server products such as SQL Server 2016 on July 14, 2026.
- The move eases short-term risk for Windows 10 users while keeping pressure on consumers and IT teams to plan upgrades or subscriptions because unsupported software stops receiving security fixes.