Microsoft makes funeral plans for Windows 10

Extended support tariff and nag screens are ready for the October deadline

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Microsoft is busy making preparations for when Windows 10 reaches end of support in October 2025, including an option for consumers to keep paying for support for the first time.

Windows 10 is by far the most used version of Windows in the world, with six in ten active Windows installations still running the OS, according to October 2024 data from Statcounter.

That presents Microsoft with a huge problem, with it looking increasingly likely that Windows 10 will still have a greater installed base than Windows 11 by the time it's officially retired.

Extended support

The danger of leaving millions of Windows PCs without critical security updates is one that Microsoft has faced down in the past by continuing to provide post-deadline patches.

Although extended support officially ended for Windows XP in April 2014, the company made three further emergency security patches to the OS in 2014, 2017 and 2019.

Likewise, even though extended support for Windows 7 came to an end in January 2020, the firm announced an Extended Security Updates programme for businesses that would provide an additional three years of security patches, albeit for a significant fee.

This time, Microsoft is inviting both consumers and businesses to take out Extended Security Updates (ESU) if they're not able or willing to part with their Windows 10 machines by the 14 October deadline.

"For the first time ever, we're introducing an ESU program for

personal use as well," said Microsoft vice president Yusuf Mehdi. "The ESU program for consumers will be a one-year option available for $30.