Overview

• Microsoft will stop issuing regular Windows 10 security updates on October 14, 2025, with a consumer Extended Security Updates window running from October 15, 2025, through October 13, 2026.
• Consumers can enroll by paying about $30, redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or using the Windows Backup cloud workflow tied to a Microsoft account.
• Windows Central reports that users in the European Economic Area can access ESUs for free without meeting the usual enrollment requirements.
• Advocacy groups including PIRG and CoPIRG estimate up to 400 million devices are affected and say roughly 43% of Windows 10 PCs cannot upgrade to Windows 11, delivering a coalition letter with hundreds of signatories urging free updates.
• Microsoft says PCs will keep working without patches and recommends upgrading to Windows 11, while advocates warn of heightened risk and point to the 2017 WannaCry outbreak as a cautionary example.