Microsoft Sets Windows 10 End of Support for Oct 14, 2025 with ESU

Microsoft has set October 14, 2025, as the official end of support for Windows 10, bringing to a head a complex mix of security updates, upgrade incentives, and by-the-needle workarounds. To soften the impact, the company is rolling out an Extended Security Updates program that can extend security coverage for another year after support ends. Access to this ESU is controlled through a settings-based enrollment wizard and three payment options, or through an alternative security service. The rollout is gradual, and many users remain unaware they will have a narrow window to stay protected while deciding how to move forward.

Under the current plan, Windows 10 users can enroll in ESU by navigating to the Windows Update page and launching a setup wizard. The wizard presents three options for an additional year of security updates: a paid tier tied to a Microsoft account (30 per year, or via a Microsoft Rewards or OneDrive-based path), or a higher-cost route using 1,000 Microsoft Points. A free route exists for users who synchronize certain settings to OneDrive or otherwise use Microsoft accounts; in practice, complete access to ESU hinges on those account-linked paths. Microsoft...