Windows 10 End of Support 2025: Everything You Need to Know About Extended Security Updates (ESU)

You must have read the warnings: the official free support period on Windows 10 is running out to zero. The reality is that the support of Windows 10 comes to an end the largest alteration to its PC proprietorship since the debut of Windows 11. It is an end of the convenient, free security updates that you have been used to having over the years. Millions of users have been left with this market shift question: Am I going to spend money to remain secure, or is this time I am finally going to upgrade my computer?

We slashed through the mix up to give the ultimate answer. This will be your lifeboat on getting through the Windows 10 End of Support 2025 deadline. We outline the actual security risk, deconstruct the official solution of Microsoft (Extended Security Updates, or ESU), and some simple steps with step-by-step advice on how to make a choice between paying, upgrading, or moving to another platform.

Within this professional manual, you will find out the price of Windows 10 ESU, the way to determine the TPM 2.0 position of the PC, and the direct exposure that you are facing when using an unsupported operating system of Windows 10. At the end, you will be able to have a clear actionable plan that will help in keeping your system safe and secure even after the free ride is over.

The Critical Risk of Running Unsupported Windows 10

When Microsoft stops offering the free support, it is not a technical recommendation, but a security ultimatum. Leaving your personal data and network vulnerable is the result of ignoring the End of Support date of Windows 10. The key to security is in knowing how serious this change will be.

What happens to security updates after Windows 10 support ends?

Majority of users cease to receive free security updates following the Windows 10 End of Support date. Earlier Microsoft released vital patches on the second Tuesday of each month (Patch Tuesday) to address any vulnerabilities that were newly identified. Microsoft will only issue vital patches to any device that is subscribing to the paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program in the future, thus leaving the rest of the devices permanently vulnerable.

Worst security risks of running unsupported Windows 10

Exposure to zero-day exploits is the sole worst risk of operating a non-supported Windows 10. Such are critical bugs in the software that hackers identify and use before Microsoft can even come up with a patch. Cybercriminals attack your machine and demand ransom, massive data breaches, and other sophisticated attacks without official updates, taking advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities.

You may also like: 10 Best Free Antivirus Software for Windows 11 in 2025

Will antivirus still protect unsupported Windows 10?

Antivirus software cannot adequately safeguard unsupported Windows 10. Although antivirus programs are more than good at preventing known malware and protecting against the user error (such as clicking a malicious link), applications are incapable of patching bugs that lie within the Windows operating system kernel itself. No third-party antivirus software can ensure complete security of a computer against targeted attacks through the use of unpatched OS vulnerabilities once Microsoft ceases to work on such foundational flaws.

How long can I safely use Windows 10 without ESU?

The Windows 10 can be used safely without the use of ESU, but only within a very limited period of time, relying on your risk aversion. There is a general consensus among experts that remaining on an unsupported operating system more than several months is highly risky because hackers have a habit of targeting vulnerable systems as soon as the end-of-support date occurs. The more time that has passed, the greater the possibilities of the compromise of the system.

The ESU Solution and Alternatives

In case users are unable, or prefer not to upgrade their hardware to Windows 11, Extended Security Updates (ESU) program has become the formal and fee-based method of remaining safe. Nevertheless, it is important to know about the cost and find options with the aim of making a reasonable financial decision.

How much does Windows 10 ESU cost per device?

Microsoft has not officially yet decided on the price of Windows 10 ESU to individuals, but early enterprise pricing is indicating that the price will be considerably high, probably rising exponentially per year (doubling in price, over a period, i.e., probably three years). This tiered pricing will be very persuasive to users to ultimately upgrade to windows 11 instead of remaining on windows 10 as long as possible.

Windows 10 ESU pricing for individual users vs business

Windows 10 ESU costs to users and business vary widely in their structure. Companies typically subscribe via volume licensing or Microsoft 365 plans, which offer the benefit of predictable, centralized pricing, in particular to Windows 10 Enterprise over Pro buyers. Individual consumers might experience increased effective cost or reduced enrolment possibilities as Microsoft is driving the consumer market directly to Windows 11.

Can I pay for Windows 10 support with a subscription?

Yes, Windows 10 support will mostly be subscribed by organizations, and it may be associated with the current Microsoft 365 envelopes. Even though Microsoft can provide some customers with a convenience of purchasing it annually, the concept is the same: users have to purchase recurring security subscriptions every year to be able to use Windows 10.

Cheapest way to get Windows 10 extended security updates

The most economical method of acquiring Windows 10 extended security updates will probably take advantage of any possible promotional deals on Microsoft within the first year of ESU membership. Nevertheless, the hardest-to-believe long-term solution is to carry out a hardware upgrade/a switch of operating system since the total three-year price of ESU is definitely going to exceed the prices of a new low-priced PC or laptop.

Windows 10 end of life alternatives to ESU

ESU has a number of possible Windows 10 end of life alternatives. The most frequently used alternatives are:

• Windows 11: The final, free upgrade, eligibility.
• Switch to Linux: The older or incompatible legacy hardware users can also easily upgrade to a user friendly version of Linux (e.g., Linux Mint or Ubuntu) free of charge.
• Buy a new computer: Do the devices that are older than five-year-old the expenses of ESU and time spent to deal with security threats can convince the owner to buy a new machine with Windows 11 pre-loaded.

Is it better to switch to Linux or pay for Windows 10 ESU?

In fact, even when you have a PC that can not operate Windows 11, you can normally upgrade to Linux rather than spending money on windows 10 ESU. Linux gives unlimited free security upgrades and will give life to older hardware that would otherwise be forever at risk and unable to support the resource load of a protracted security program.

Hardware, Compatibility, and the Windows 11 Upgrade Path

Hardware compatibility is the most glaring obstacle to many users using windows 10 End of Support. This guide will assist you to check whether your existing computer is eligible to receive a free upgrade of windows 11.

Windows 10 vs. Windows 11 Post-Support: Comparing Features and Long-Term Value

In the comparison of Windows 10 vs Windows 11 Post-Support, Windows 11 is evidently more valuable in the long term. Windows 11 provides security benefits including default support of the Secure Boot and the necessary hardware baseline (TPM 2.0). It also provides long-term aesthetics, speed, and efficiency improvements and accessibility to future AI and cloud services, which non-supportive Windows 10 devices are unable to use.

How to check TPM 2.0 status for Windows 11 upgrade

To verify TPM 2.0 status to upgrade to Windows 11, do the following few steps:

• Press the Windows Key + R.
• Type tpm.msc and press Enter.
• In case the outcome is The TPM is ready to use, verify the version of the specification below, the version should be 2.0. In case your computer has a TPM and it is not turn on, it will require enabling it under the BIOS/UEFI.

Will my old CPU run Windows 11 after Windows 10 support ends?

It is only on whether Microsoft lists your old CPU as compatible or not that a Windows 11 will be able to run on your old CPU after Microsoft stops supporting Windows 10. In most cases, it can be unofficially run on processors beyond 7th-generation Intel Core or 1st-generation AMD Ryzen. Unsupported CPUs are not only difficult to run, but also can be unstable, so an upgrade is the less risky option.

Running Windows 10 unsupported on hardware that can’t run Windows 11

The weakest place of a home user is to run Windows 10 on hardware which cannot run Windows 11. In case you are not able to upgrade your hardware, it is preferable to only use that device to perform non-essential tasks such as media streaming and do all the financial or sensitive work on another supported computer.

Best budget laptop upgrade for Windows 10 end of life

The Best budget laptop upgrade to Windows 10 should take into account the systems that are compatible with the minimum Windows 11 requirements, which, in most cases, are the TPM 2.0 chip and a compatible CPU, and hopefully, an SSD drive. You should find machines that cost less than $500 that have a more modern processor rather than advanced graphics as they will be basic future-proof.

Niche Solutions and Enterprise Considerations

Within this last section, the needs of the professionals and small businesses that are confronting the Windows 10 End of Support are covered and specific advice is given on the topic of volume licensing and certain operating system versions.

Windows 10 end of support solution for small business (SMB)

The end of support solution recommended by Windows 10 to the small business (SMB) is to focus on mass upgrading the eligible devices to Windows 11. Machines that need to remain on Windows 10 will have the best available cost-effective option which is probably a cloud-based solution or a volume licensing agreement which will allow the purchase of ESU keys centrally and help in the distribution of the high cost per device.

Official Microsoft path from Windows 10 to Windows 11

Windows 11 is a free upgrade which Microsoft is offering via Windows update to all PCs that fulfill the minimum hardware requirements. This is the lowest risk and least complex way of making the transition and it should be the first objective of every qualified user to save the cost of ESU.

Windows 10 Enterprise vs Pro end of support differences

Even though the overall end-of-support date was the same, the disparities between Windows 10 Enterprise and Pro are primarily due to the ESU program. Enterprise and Education customers may tend to enjoy greater flexibility and even reduced per-device prices on the purchase of ESU because of the already established volume deals, and instead, the customers targeted by Microsoft the most actively in the free Windows 11 upgrading are Pro and Home users.

What is Windows 10 LTSC end of support date?

The Windows 10 LTSC end of support is much later as compared to the standard Consumer/Pro editions. Microsoft customizes the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) to mission-critical systems and provides it with a longer support cycle, although it does not make it available to average home users or to small organizations.

Can I still use Windows 10 in a virtual machine (VM)?

Yes, windows 10 can also be used in a virtual machine (VM), but you will still have to buy ESU in case you need security update in your virtual machine. Even running on a different virtualization layer, people using the operating system still require a license and can only qualify security requirements.

Is it safe to run Windows 10 without a TPM chip?

No, it is not safe to use Windows 10 without a TPM chip, particularly when the free-of-charge support is over. Although there are technical workarounds to install windows 11 on a system with no TPM 2.0, this aspect is a vital element of the modern hardware security. This increases the security vulnerability of running unsupported windows 10 without a TPM and both the hardware and the software are susceptible to the current exploits.

Conclusion

Windows 10 End of Support is an inevitable event, which is not necessarily a tragedy. It is as simple as to choose between Paying ESU (expensive, short term solution) or Upgrading to Windows 11 (free, long term solution).

The toughest part is that we strongly recommend that you start the TPM 2.0 check and start the official Microsoft path between windows 10 and windows 11. Delay is simply going to compromise your PC and give your solution a higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions