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Microsoft has announced its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which provides free extended security updates to home users who want to delay switching to Windows 11. The program will be available starting June 24, 2025, and will offer coverage from October 15, 2025, through October 13, 2026.
Microsoft has announced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to provide extended security updates to its users, delaying the switch to Windows 11.The ESU program is available in two forms: one for consumers and another for organizations, with varying costs and enrollment options.Home users can enroll in the program by redeeming Microsoft Rewards points or syncing their settings to the cloud, while organizations can subscribe for $61 per device for one year.The program will provide coverage from October 15, 2025, through October 13, 2026, and will continue to support Windows 10 until October 10, 2028.Microsoft has also announced that it will no longer end support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 later this year.
Microsoft has made a significant announcement regarding its support for Windows 10, which will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025. In a bid to provide extended security updates to its users, Microsoft has introduced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program that allows home users to delay switching to Windows 11 and receive automatic security patches at no additional cost.
The ESU program is now available in two forms: one for consumers and another for organizations. For home users, the program can be enrolled in by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or using Windows Backup to sync their settings to the cloud. This option will provide coverage from October 15, 2025, through October 13, 2026.
On the other hand, organizations can subscribe to the ESU program for $61 per device for one year, with annual renewals available for up to three years at increasing costs. Enrollment is currently open through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program, and Cloud Service Providers will offer it starting September 1.
In addition to this, Microsoft has also announced that Windows Insiders will be able to enroll in ESU using an enrollment wizard available in Windows Settings and through desktop notifications starting today. The wizard to roll out to all other Windows 10 customers in July, with broad availability expected by mid-August.
Furthermore, Microsoft has backtracked on its plans to end support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 later this year. Instead, it will continue providing feature updates through August 2026 and security updates for three more years, until October 10, 2028. Redmond will also provide Security Intelligence Updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 through October 2028.
The announcement comes as a significant relief to the IT community, which had been bracing itself for the impending end of support for Windows 10. According to Statcounter Global Stats data, over 53% of all Windows systems still run Windows 10, while only 43% run Windows 11, three years after its October 2021 launch.
However, it appears that Steam's Hardware & Software Survey paints a different picture for Windows 11 gamers, with 58.30% using Windows 11 and only 37%% running Windows 10 at the end of May 2025.
In light of this announcement, it is worth noting that organizations are now better equipped to manage their IT systems more efficiently. By leveraging automation tools like Tines, patching can be streamlined, reducing overhead and allowing IT teams to focus on strategic work.
Tines, in its latest guide, breaks down the benefits of modern IT orgs leveling up with automation. The company asserts that by automating tasks such as patch management, organizations can achieve greater efficiency, faster results, and a more agile approach to cybersecurity.
As Microsoft continues to push forward with its Extended Security Updates program, it is clear that this new development presents an opportunity for home users and organizations alike to upgrade their security posture. With the ESU program in place, users can now look forward to continued support from Microsoft, even after the end-of-support date for Windows 10.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Microsoft-Announces-Extended-Security-Updates-for-Windows-10-Users-A-New-Era-of-Cybersecurity-Post-End-of-Support-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-windows-10-extended-security-updates-available-using-reward-points/
Published: Tue Jun 24 12:59:52 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
