Microsoft Blinks

… And Takes A Step Back Concerning Windows 10.

As we’ve discussed many times in the past, a significant date is approaching: the end of free security updates for Windows 10. Microsoft has announced that after October 14, 2025, users will need to pay for up to three additional years of security updates—essentially paying Microsoft to fix vulnerabilities in their own software.

Now, you might think the obvious solution is to upgrade to Windows 11. After all, Microsoft claims it’s faster and more efficient than Windows 10. But despite that, they’ve imposed stricter hardware requirements for Windows 11, effectively locking out many perfectly functional Windows 10 machines that could actually run Windows 11. This feels arbitrary and, frankly, unfair.

As of July 2025, Windows 11 has finally overtaken Windows 10 in market share. According to StatCounter, Windows 11 now runs on 52% of all Windows PCs, while Windows 10 has dropped to 44.6%. That’s a dramatic shift from just a month earlier, when the two were nearly tied at around 48% each.

The surge in Windows 11 adoption is largely driven by Microsoft’s aggressive push and the looming end-of-support deadline for Windows 10.

Still, that leaves hundreds of millions of PCs—many of them still perfectly functional—running Windows 10. And that’s a problem for Microsoft. They’re essentially saying they won’t patch known security flaws in their own software unless users pay up. The patches exist—they’ll be sold to those who can afford them—but everyone else will be left increasingly vulnerable.

So, it wasn’t too surprising when Microsoft blinked. On Tuesday they announced a more flexible approach to Extended Security Updates (ESU) for individual users. Here are the three options:

1. Use Windows Backup to sync your settings to the cloud — free.
2. Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points — also free.
3. Pay $30 USD for one year of ESU coverage.

Once you choose an option and follow the steps in the enrollment wizard, your PC will be covered from October 15, 2025, through October 13, 2026. The wizard is already available to Windows Insider Program members and will roll out to all Windows 10 users by mid-August.

So, if you’re sticking with Windows 10, you’ll soon have a straightforward way to stay protected—at least for another year.

Thanks to the Security Now podcast for this update.
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