It’s here! Windows 10’s end-of-support deadline arrives

Windows 10 on Tuesday reached its end-of-support deadline, meaning businesses will no longer receive free security patches or technical support from Microsoft for devices running the operating system. 

Those that continue with Windows 10 past the deadline must pay $61 per device for the first year of additional support via Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. The program will be in place for three years, with the yearly cost doubling every 12 months to reach $244 in the final year. Without extended support, businesses risk exposure to cyberattacks and data breaches as new security vulnerabilities will no longer be patched.

Microsoft had been encouraging customers to upgrade to Windows 11 or to Windows 365 cloud PCs ahead of the Oct. 14 deadline. However, adoption has been relatively slow due to factors such as stricter hardware requirements for Windows 11, tight budgets among small and mid-sized businesses, and a lack of perceived benefits in the upgrade.

Migrations have ramped up ahead of the deadline, however. Windows 11 has now overtaken Windows 10 in global enterprise adoption, accounting for 60% of deployments. That’s according to analysis of data from 8 million Windows devices last month by asset management software provide Lansweeper. 

The shift away from Windows 10 has also driven an uptick in PC sales this year.  

Last week, analyst firm IDC noted a 9.4% year-on-year increase in sales during Q3 2025, due in part to the transition to Windows 11. Omdia’s research put the increase at 6.8%, with Windows 11 adoption set to continue to drive PC sales into 2026. 

“While Microsoft and its partners have greatly stepped up efforts to drive awareness, particularly amongst SMBs and consumers, a significant portion of the global Windows installed base remains either on Windows 10 or on a PC that is five or more years old,” Ishan Dutt, research director at Omdia, said in a statement last week. 

Omdia’s survey of PC channel partners indicated that many businesses are still in the process of upgrading to Windows 11. 

According to the poll of 453 channel partners, 39% said almost all of their business customers’ Windows 10 PCs are now refreshed or upgraded. Meanwhile, 18% said customers will continue to use Windows 10 past the support deadline, likely with support via the ESU program.It’s here! Windows 10’s end-of-support deadline arrives – ComputerworldRead More