Microsoft reveals subscription pricing for using Windows 10 beyond 2025, and it’s not cheap
Customers will need to pay $61 per device, which will double every year for three years, to remain secure on Windows 10.
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What you need to know
Last year, Microsoftannounced an extended support program for Windows 10that would allow users to pay for continued security updates beyond the October 2025 end of support date. Today,the company has unveiled the pricing structurefor that program for commercial customers, which starts at $61 per device, and doubles every year for three years.
Security updates on Windows are important, as they keep you protected from any vulnerabilities that are discovered in the OS. Microsoft releases a security update for Windows 10 once a month, butthat will stop when October 2025 rolls around. Users still on Windows 10 after that date will officially be out of support, unless you pay.
The extended support program for Windows 10 will let commercial customers pay for three years of additional security updates. This is handy for businesses and enterprise customers who aren’t yet ready to upgrade their fleet of employee laptops and computers to Windows 11.
The price is $61 per device, but that price doubles every year for three years. That means the second year will cost you $122 per device, and the third year will cost $244 per device. For the first time ever, Microsoft will also allow individual users to subscribe to the extended support program.
April 03, 2024:Microsoft has updated its blog post clarifying that pricing for individual users will be announced later this year.
Commercial customers will be able to purchase a 5-by-5 activation key subscription starting in October 2024, which can be applied to a single PC that you intend to use Windows 10 beyond October 2025 on. You will need an individual subscription key for each PC you want to keep getting updates beyond October 2025.
If you choose to join the program one or two years in, you will be required to pay for the years of updates you’ve missed first.
It’s an expensive program, likely to encourage as many people as possible to upgrade to Windows 11, which is still in full support and getting free security updates. Windows 10 users on compatible Windows 11 hardware should make the switch toWindows 11before October 2025 to avoid being insecure or paying for security updates.
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Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads
