Microsoft announced that its Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 will now run through October 2027, adding a full year beyond the previously announced October 2026 cutoff. The extension applies automatically to existing ESU customers and does not require an additional payment.
The original support timeline slated Windows 10’s mainstream end in October 2025, with ESU offered as a $30 (or free for qualifying users) add‑on to keep security patches flowing. Feature updates have already ceased, but the ESU program shields machines from malware and ransomware. A sizable share of the PC market remains on Windows 10 – the Steam Hardware Survey shows about 24 % of respondents still run the 64‑bit edition – and many older rigs cannot meet Windows 11’s stricter hardware requirements.
By prolonging the ESU window, Microsoft gives users and enterprises more time to plan upgrades without exposing systems to critical vulnerabilities. Existing subscribers receive the extra year at no extra cost, while new adopters can still purchase the program. The move may also ease pressure on the hardware supply chain, which has been strained by recent component shortages.
