Windows 10’s final countdown
Microsoft is just weeks away from ending support for Windows 10, and many users aren’t happy about it. The main reason is simple: millions of PCs can’t run Windows 11 because they don’t meet Microsoft’s strict hardware requirements. Others just don’t want to upgrade because they don’t like how Windows 11 feels.
A public interest group asked Microsoft to keep Windows 10 alive, but the company said no. Instead, it offered a temporary solution called the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. This lets Windows 10 users keep getting security updates after the October 14, 2025, deadline, but it comes at a price.
For regular users, the cost is $30 for up to 10 devices. You can also sign up for free if you connect your PC to a Microsoft account or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Reward points. Businesses, however, have to pay $61 per device in the first year, and that price doubles each year after.
Not everyone is happy with this. Groups like The Restart Project say the ESU program is nothing more than a “snooze button” and won’t solve the bigger issue, considering hundreds of millions of PCs that can’t run Windows 11. Some users even accuse Microsoft of “planned obsolescence,” saying the company is forcing upgrades just to push new Copilot+ PCs.
Despite the criticism, PC makers like HP and Dell expect most users to take the ESU option until they eventually replace their computers. Reports suggest Microsoft could make over $7 billion from the program, mostly from businesses that can’t easily upgrade right away.
In the end, the message is clear: Windows 10’s time is almost up. You can pay for extended support, move to Windows 11, or stick with an unsupported system and risk security issues.
