Microsoft Ends Windows 10 Support, Launches ESU Program

Microsoft ended official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, marking the close of a decade-long era for the operating system that powers hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. While free security updates ceased on that date, the company introduced an Extended Security Updates program to allow users to continue receiving critical protections for an additional period, though initial rollout encountered technical hurdles that have since been addressed.

The transition has left many Windows 10 users weighing their options, as the operating system no longer receives new features or non-security fixes. Enrollment in the ESU program enables devices to stay secure against emerging threats, particularly important following Microsoft's November Patch Tuesday release, which addressed 63 vulnerabilities, including one actively exploited elevation-of-privilege flaw. Without enrollment, devices remain exposed to such risks once connected to the internet.

Early adopters faced enrollment challenges shortly after the end-of-support date. Some users reported that the ESU registration wizard failed to appear, while others encountered error messages such as "Something went wrong" or...