Microsoft has quietly updated a support document on how the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 will work and how much it will cost - and for some it might cause their stomach to churn.

Administrators and accountants alike will be looking glumly at the prices that Microsoft [1]announced in 2024 if their organizations still require Windows 10. In the company's [2]reworked list , it spells out some of the ways whereby users might dodge the fees. If, for example, you have a Windows 10 endpoint connecting to a Windows 365 Cloud PC, ESU could be free.

Windows 10 virtual machines running Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop are also entitled to ESU for up to three years, provided the user has an active Windows 365 subscription license.

[3]

Microsoft also updated the support document to confirm the cost to keep the security updates flowing for commercial customers: $61 for Year One per device, a figure that will double for every subsequent year for a maximum of three years. And no, it won't be possible to save money by leaving it for a while before signing up:

[4]

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"If you decide to purchase the program in Year Two, you'll have to pay for Year One too, as ESUs are cumulative," said Microsoft.

[6]Why users still couldn't care less about Windows 11

[7]Windows 11 stages a comeback – still miles behind older sibling

[8]Microsoft to force Windows 11 24H2 on Home and Pro users

[9]Microsoft declares 2025 'the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh'

Year One will begin in November 2025, the month after free support ends for most versions of Windows 10.

Windows 10 remains dominant in terms of desktop market share, according to the [10]latest figures from Statcounter, although Windows 11 is gradually narrowing the lead. However, many enterprises will likely still have devices running Windows 10 in their fleet, so the ESU program will need to feature in their planning.

While there is little new in the update, it highlights how much commercial customers will have to pay if they wish to stick with the veteran operating system a little longer.

[11]

Depending on a customer's perspective, the cost could be regarded as a punishment for organizations that have the temerity to swerve Windows 11, or highlight Microsoft's generosity in keeping security updates flowing even after support for most versions of the OS ends. ®

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[1] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/03/windows_10_extended_support/

[2] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/extended-security-updates

[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z6NE1dJudNbAEDmQc2x1swAAAAs&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

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[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Z6NE1dJudNbAEDmQc2x1swAAAAs&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/04/windows_11_avoidance/

[7] https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/01/windows_11_statcounter/

[8] https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/20/microsoft_to_force_windows_11/

[9] https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/06/microsoft_2025_windows_refresh/

[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/01/windows_11_statcounter/

[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z6NE1dJudNbAEDmQc2x1swAAAAs&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/