With the end of official support for Windows 10 approaching, Microsoft has revealed its pricing strategy for Extended Security Updates (ESU), which will go into effect next year. For businesses, this represents a significant investment if they want to continue to benefit from Windows 14 security updates after the end of support date of October 2025, 10.
The costs for companies
Microsoft's pricing strategy for businesses that want to continue using Windows 10 is as follows:
- Year 1: $61 per PC
- Year 2: $122 per PC
- Year 3: $244 per PC
This means that a three-year ESU subscription will cost a total of $427 per PC. For comparison, the ESU program for Windows 7 cost $350 for the same period, meaning that the cost of Windows 10 will be approximately 22% higher. This rising cost underscores Microsoft’s intention to encourage businesses to move to Windows 11.
An important point to remember is that ESU licenses are cumulative. This means that you must purchase year one before you can purchase years two and three. You cannot take advantage of lower costs by deferring the purchase of ESU licenses.
Early registration and discounts
Companies can apply for the ESU programme from October 2024, one year before the official end date of support. This gives companies the opportunity to plan their budgets and prepare for the transition.
Organizations that use Microsoft’s cloud-based update management services, such as Microsoft Intune and Windows AutoPatch, can take advantage of discounts that reduce the first year’s cost to $45 per PC. However, these discounts are primarily aimed at large organizations that manage their Windows Enterprise licenses in the cloud. It’s also important to note that this discount only applies to corporate devices and not personal (BYOD) devices.
Additionally, companies using Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop can automatically benefit from ESU coverage for their Windows 10 devices. This can be a cost-effective option for organizations already using or considering deploying these services.
What ESUs don't cover
It is crucial to understand that ESUs are not a long-term solution. They only provide critical security updates and do not include new features, non-security related fixes, or design changes. Technical support is limited to activating ESU licenses, installing monthly updates, and troubleshooting issues caused by the updates themselves. It does not provide extended technical support for other issues.
Closing note
The upcoming cost of Windows 10 ESUs represents a significant investment for businesses that choose to continue using Windows 10 after official support ends. With a pricing structure that increases each year, and discounts available for cloud-based update management services and Windows 365, it is vital that businesses plan their migration to Windows 11 well.
By planning early and taking advantage of available discounts, companies can control costs and prepare for a smooth transition to newer technologies. For companies that are not yet ready to upgrade, the ESU program provides a temporary solution, but it is not a substitute for a strategic long-term solution.
More information: Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 | Microsoft Learn