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Microsoftis sharing more detailsof its plans to transition customers still using Windows 10 from a free oblation to a paid social structure if they bid to continue receiving security measure updates .
The company is phase out the legacy operating organisation , which will reach its remainder - of - lifespan financial support on October 14 , 2025 . After this , Microsoft will start charge enterprise user a monthly fee for Extended Security Updates ( ESU ) . business organisation must purchase an ESU license for all Windows 10 devices for maintain security department support beyond the cutoff escort .
Pricing tiers set out at $ 61 for the first year , double to $ 122 in the 2d year , and repeat again to $ 244 in the third twelvemonth . Businesses entering the ESU plan subsequently will be creditworthy for the cost of the time they miss .
Microsoft confirmed in December 2023 that its ESU programme will also beavailable for generalconsumers but has not shared pricing for that demographic . The brand say on its IT Pro Blog that consumer pricing would be shared at a late particular date .
Overall the pricing thrust appear to be Microsoft ’s effort to gradually nudge endeavor drug user , in peculiar , to promote to its latest Windows 11 operating system . Despite Windows 11 being available since October 2021 , it makes up about 27 % of globular usership , compared to Windows 10 at 69 % , concord toStatCounter .
Studies focusing exclusively on enterprise spaces show figures skew even higher , with up of80 % of devicesin the business enterprise sector race Windows 10 . Studies have found that when businesses are upgrading to Windows 11 , they prefer to supervene upon previous computer hardware with unexampled devices rather than preface new software to superannuated models .
Despite claims that Windows 11 adoption is slow due to Microsoft ’s hard-and-fast hardware demand , research has also demonstrate that a significant issue of enterprise workstations encounter the CPU , RAM , andTPM requirementstoupgrade to Windows 11 . It is likely in - house challenges that preclude business from upgrading to the latest operating organization in whatever mode possible .
Either way , Microsoft has put organizations on notice that the ESU program is a transitionary full stop to relieve oneself Windows 11 the work organisation of the advanced age .
“ Extended Security Updates are not specify to be a foresightful - terminus solution but rather a impermanent span , ” the trade name said in the blog berth .
“ you may purchase ESU licenses for Windows 10 devices that you do n’t be after to upgrade to Windows 11 starting in October 2024 , one year before the end of support appointment , ” it added .
