Microsoft Shares Pricing Details for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for Consumers

Microsoft announced last year an Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 that will let organizations that aren’t ready yet to upgrade to Windows 11 continue to receive security updates for the OS after it reaches end of support on October 14, 2025. For the first time ever, this program will also be available for consumers still using Windows 10 PCs.

Microsoft already shared pricing details for this Extended Security Updates program for organizations: Getting Windows 10 updates for one device will cost $61/year, and this price will double every consecutive year. There will also be special pricing for nonprofits and organizations opting to receive ESU updates via Intune or Windows Autopatch. However, because Extended Security Updates are cumulative, organizations joining the program on the second year will also need to pay for the first year of updates.

Today, Microsoft revealed how the Windows 10 ESU program will work for consumers who’d like to keep using the OS in a secure manner beyond its end of support date. This program will only provide security updates for an additional year, and it will be available as $30 purchase. The company plans to share more details about enrollment closer to October 2025.

Windows 11 will remain available as a free upgrade on Windows 10 devices that meet its minimum hardware requirements, which include recent CPUs with a TPM 2.0 security chip. Windows 10 users can check Windows Update to see if their PC is eligible for an upgrade, and the OS will also start notifying users about its end of support coming in October 2025.

Microsoft designed Windows 11 to be more secure with features like secure boot, virtualization-based security, memory integrity, and Smart App Control. However, Microsoft argued that organizations that are really serious about security should consider upgrading their PC fleet.

“New Windows 11 PCs are more secure, with a reported 62% drop in security incidents and 3x reported reduction in firmware attacks,” said Yusuf Mehdi, Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft. “At a premium price, Copilot+ PCs deliver even more protection, including memory-based integrity, Secured-core PC capabilities, Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security, and the built-in Microsoft Pluton Security processor.”

While Windows 10 will reach end of support in a year, Microsoft is continuing to add new features to the OS such as its new Copilot assistant. Earlier this year, the Windows Insider Program also introduced a new Beta Channel for Windows 10 users interested in trying out new features for Windows 10 version 22H2, which is the latest version of the OS.