[German]In a long blog post, Microsoft has once again commented on the benefits of Windows 11 in view of the end of Windows 10 support. For companies, the paid ESU program for another three update years is mentioned. And for individual users (consumers), there is a one-year ESU with a (poisoned) free option.
I have already written extensively here on the blog about the end of support for Windows 10 22H2 on October 14, 2025. End of life (EOL) means that the products will continue to work, but will no longer receive support or security updates from Microsoft. However, there are ways to continue receiving updates via the fee-based Extended Security Update Program (ESU).
- For individual users (consumers) with Windows 10 Home and Pro, ESU is available for one year and should cost 30 US dollars.
- For corporate environments with Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise and Education, ESU is available for three years and starts at 61 US dollars.
There are also security fixes from 0patch for five years. This was already known (see links at the end of the article). But now there is new information about Microsoft's ESU program. Microsoft has declared its commitment to June 24, 2025 in the article Stay secure with Windows 11, Copilot+ PCs and Windows 365 before support ends for Windows 10 . It is primarily about Windows 11 (or Windows 365, the cloud version of Windows 11) – but there is also information about "extended security update program" (ESU) for Windows 10 22H2. I have extracted the short text on ESU from the really extensive article praising Windows 11 in the following screenshot.
There seems to be a perception in Redmond that a hell of a lot of users are staying on Windows 10 and not moving to Windows 11 or Copilot+PC.
ESU options for individual users
Microsoft has therefore decided to take an unexpected step: There will be a free option for individual home users to participate in the ESU program for Windows 10 22H2 Home and Windows 10 Pro. Individuals (e.g. consumer) will have the following option to obtain ESU, provided by an enrollment wizard. This enrollment wizard will be available via notifications and in the settings, according to Microsoft, allowing users to enroll in ESU directly from their personal Windows 10 PC.
Via the sign-in wizard (which requires a Microsoft account, under which users must then be logged in), owners of Windows 10 systems can then choose from three options on how to participate in the one-year ESU program:
- You can use the Windows Backup app to synchronize settings with the cloud. What exactly is behind this is currently unclear to me – in the business sector, there is the option to book a Microsoft 365 subscription to get free ESU licenses for Windows 10 PCs that access this tenant.
- You can redeem 1,000 so-called Microsoft Rewards points and get one year of ESU at no additional cost. Ad hoc, I don't know how to get these reward points (years ago they used to be available for app purchases via gift cards, feedback and other promotions, see here).
- And you can book an ESU license for 30 US dollars for one year – although prices may vary in local markets.
If the user chooses one of these options, the wizard will guide them through the steps to book the ESU license and they will receive security updates under Windows 10 via Windows Update for one year from October 2025.
ESU coverage for personal devices will run from October 15, 2025 to October 13, 2026. Sign-in Assistant is now available in the Windows Insider Program and will be introduced as an option for Windows 10 customers in July 2025. General availability is expected in mid-August 2025.
ESU for enterprise users
Organizations can subscribe to ESU for $61 per device to receive critical and important security updates monthly for one year. The subscription can be renewed annually for up to three years, with the cost increasing each year. Subscription is now available through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program and will also be offered by cloud service providers from September 1, 2025, according to Microsoft.
However, Microsoft offers a free ESU license for cloud and virtual environments. Windows 10 devices that access Windows 11 cloud PCs via Windows 365 or virtual machines will be entitled to ESU at no additional cost and will automatically receive security updates without the need for additional steps.
Similar articles:
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Windows 10: Prices for Extended Security Updates announced
Microsoft wants 30 US-$ for 1 year Windows 10 consumer support extension
Windows 10: 0patch provides 5 years of additional support
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Microsoft's Marketing tales: Windows 11 is free for a short time; support for Microsoft 365 app ends in October 2025 for Windows 10
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We'll likely be going with 0patch until we're ready to purchase new hardware.
just use LTSC, case closed
I have found it impossible to find where to get the ESU for business. Microsoft's sites for business are a mess.
Can you post or reply where to go to get this? For (very) small business, not Enterprise.