Remember it'll cost ya to keep the lights on for Windows 10

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 announced in 2024 if their organizations still require Windows 10. In the company's 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.

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:

"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.

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 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.

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. ®

Search
About Us
Website HardCracked provides softwares, patches, cracks and keygens. If you have software or keygens to share, feel free to submit it to us here. Also you may contact us if you have software that needs to be removed from our website. Thanks for use our service!
IT News
Feb 11
Intel loses another exec as datacenter, AI chief named Nokia CEO

Justin Hotard tapped to replace Pekka Lundmark at the Finnish telco

Feb 10
Meta's plan to erase 5% of workforce starts today

'Intense year' ahead, warned Zuck. Got to spend billions on AI and work to stay out of Trump's bad books

Feb 10
The biggest microcode attack in our history is underway

Opinion When your state machines are vulnerable, all bets are off

Feb 10
CentOS Connect conference announces return of Firefox

FOSDEM 2025 OKD project also has its own immutable CentOS image, which could be fun

Feb 10
Legacy systems running UK's collector are taxing - in more ways than one

Costs for fixing them and keeping them working up by 390%, NAO report reveals

Feb 10
Cloudflare hopes to rebuild the Web for the AI age - with itself in the middle

Also claims it's found DeepSeek-eque optimizations that reduce AI infrastructure requirements

Feb 8
'Maybe the problem is you' ... Linus Torvalds wades into Linux kernel Rust driver drama

Open source project chief hits out at 'social media brigading'