- Microsoft has launched a guide to help Windows 10 devices remain secure
- However, it is only intended as a temporary solution
- Windows 10 -Support ends later in the year
Windows 10 has been around for almost a decade now, but official support will end on October 14 this year. Still, it doesn’t have to be the end of the road as Microsoft has just announced a new process for anyone who needs a little more time to switch to Windows 11.
The updates are part of Microsoft’s extended security updates (ESU) program that brings monthly critical and important security fixes to Windows 10 users for one year after official support ends. Microsoft says this is only intended to be a short-term solution as it does not include updates of non-security or new features.
With today’s change, there are now a few new ways to get started. For individuals, there is a new registration guide that gives you three options: Use Windows Backup to sync all your settings to the cloud; Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards Point to get started; Or pay a one -time fee of $ 30.
Once you have selected an option and followed the instructions, sign up for your Windows 10 -PC. ESU coverage for personal computers lasts from October 15, 2025 until October 13, 2026.
Time to upgrade
The ESU changes not only come to individual Windows 10 users. Commercial organizations can pay $ 61 per Device to subscribe to the ESU program for a year. This can be renewed annually for up to three years, although Microsoft warns that costs will increase every year. Companies can sign up today via the Microsoft Volume License Program, while Cloud service providers will start offering registration from September 1st.
As for Windows 10 devices that access Windows 11 Cloud PCS via Windows 365 and virtual machines, these access ESU free of charge and receive security updates automatically without required additional actions.
In a way, Microsoft’s announcement highlights the matches that the company has had to get people upgrading to Windows 11. Microsoft first announced that it would kill Windows 10 back in June 2021, and yet there are still people and organizations that have not changed, despite many years of requests and warnings.
For some people-Ice, those with mission-critical devices or large fleets of computers can upgrade to Windows 11 be a Herculean task. But if you are able to change, you really need to do so to make sure you continue to get all the latest updates. We even have a guide to upgrade to Windows 11 to help you through the process.
