Microsoft will end its support for Windows 10 on October 14 next year, after which users will need to pay a yearly fee to continue using the operating system securely.
According to The Verge, the Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 users will cost $61 for the first year.
Moreover, businesses and consumers who want to use their devices after the end of support, will be required to purchase an ESU license. Each Windows 10 device will need its own ESU license.
For businesses, the first year price is $61 which will double to $122 for the second year, and then doubles again to $244 for the third year.
Additionally, since the ESUs are cumulative, if someone enters in the ESU program in the second year, they will also have to pay for the first as well.
Microsoft updated its blog post on Wednesday, April 3, announcing that this ($61) pricing list is only for commercial organisations and the pricing for the consumer will be shared later.
Microsoft explained in a blog post, "Extended Security Updates are not intended to be a long-term solution but rather a temporary bridge."
The blog further added, "You can purchase ESU licenses for Windows 10 devices that you don’t plan to upgrade to Windows 11 starting in October 2024, one year before the end of support date."
Microsoft will offer a 25% discount to the businesses that are using its cloud-based update solutions like Intune or Windows Autopatch.
