Windows 10 will become end-of-life on 14 October, 2025. Once Windows 10 becomes end-of-life, PCs or systems running Windows 10 will not get any security updates unless you avail the ESU program for Windows 10.
Microsoft’s ESU program of the Extended Security Update program for Windows 10 is designed to offer security updates to the eligible systems for a maximum duration of 3 years. We look at details of the ESU program for Windows 10 below.
What is the ESU program for Windows 10?
Microsoft’s ESU or Extended Security Update program allows the participating PCs or systems to receive security updates for Windows 10 computers after the attainment of end-of-life date of 14 October 2025.
PCs participating in the ESU program for Windows 10 will be, therefore, supported in terms of addressing security vulnerabilities by Microsoft.
The main features of the ESU program for Windows 10 are:
- ESU program for Windows 10 is a paid program.
- You can buy Extended Security Updates for a maximum period of 3 years.
- The ESU would begin from 15 October 2025. It affords security updates for a maximum duration of 3 years after end-of-life date of 14 October 2025. So, ESU program for Windows 10 will be valid until 14 October 2028.
- The subscription to the ESU program for Windows 10 can be bought for a minimum period of 1 year and maximum period of 3 years.
- The subscription charges for the ESU program for Windows 10 would be disclosed by Microsoft before the end-of-life date of 14 October 2025 is reached.
- The ESU program only includes availability of security updates for Windows 10. Once Windows 10 attains end-of-life status, no technical support for Windows 10 will be offered by Microsoft.
Are there any prerequisites before I can enroll in ESU program for Windows 10?
Yes, before you can opt in to receive security updates under the Windows 10 ESU program, you need to make sure that the Windows 10 installation on your computer is working on Windows 10 22H2 version.
For the record, Windows 10 has multiple versions:
- Windows 10 version 1607
- Windows 10 version 1903
- Windows 10 version 1909
- Windows 10 version 2004
- Windows 10 version 21H1
- Windows 10 version 21H2
- Windows 10 version 22H2
So, ESU or Extended Security Updates will be made available for Windows 10 version 22H2 only.
Will my PC stop working if I do not get ESU for Windows 10?
The ESU program only offers extended security updates to resolves security vulnerabilities that may be detected in Windows 10 operating system. The idea is to offer support against security vulnerabilities in Windows 10 after the end-of-life date of 14 October, 2025.
Assuming you do not enroll for the ESU program, what would happen to your Windows 10 PC?
Your PC will continue to work on Windows 10 even after end-of-life date of 14 October 2025. But, it will not have access to security patches after the end-of-life date of 14 October, 2025. So, any new security vulnerabilities that get detected or disclosed after 14 October 2025 will remain unpatched on your Windows 10 computers.
If you do not enroll in the ESU program for Windows 10, you will not have get the following:
- Technical support
- Feature updates or new features
- Quality updates (including security and reliability fixes)
End-of-life Windows 10 computers can expect increased security activities that could include:
- Targeting of the PC by hackers
- Hackers installing malicious software on the computers
- Hackers exploiting the end-of-life system and use them as botnets to launch the DDoS attacks worldwide
The bottom-line is that it may not be worth keeping a Windows 10 computer without access to Extended Security Updates.
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Rajesh Dhawan is a technology professional who loves to write about Cyber-security events and stories, Cloud computing and Microsoft technologies. He loves to break complex problems into manageable chunks of meaningful information.