- Microsoft has launched a wizard to help Windows 10 devices stay secure
- It is only intended for a temporary solution, however
- Windows 10 support ends later this year
Windows 10 has existed for almost a decade now, but the official support should end on October 14 of this year. However, this should not be the end of the road, because Microsoft has just announced a new process for all those who need a little more time to go to Windows 11.
The updates are part of the ESU (ESU) program of Microsoft Security Updates (ESU), which provides critical and important monthly security fixes to Windows 10 users for a year after the end of the official support. Microsoft says that this is supposed to be a short -term solution, because it does not include updates excluding security or new features.
With the change of today, there are now some new ways to start. For individuals, there is a new registration assistant who will give you three options: use Windows backup to synchronize all your settings on the cloud; Exchange 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points to start; Or pay punctual fees of $ 30.
After choosing an option and monitoring the instructions, your Windows 10 PC will be registered. ESU coverage for personal computers lasts from October 15, 2025 to October 13, 2026. The registration assistant is currently available in the Windows Insider program, made available to regular Windows 10 users in July and will be deployed on a wider basis in mid-August.
Upgrade time
ESU changes did not just come to individual Windows 10 users. Commercial organizations can pay $ 61 per device to subscribe to the ESU program for one year. This can be renewed each year up to three years, although Microsoft warns that the cost will increase each year. Companies can register today via the Microsoft volume license program, while cloud service providers will start to offer registrations from September 1.
Regarding Windows 10 devices that access Windows 11 Cloud PCs via Windows 365 and Virtual Machines, they will be granted free access to ESU and will automatically receive safety updates, without any additional action required.
In a way, Microsoft’s announcement highlights the difficulties that the company has had people to go to Windows 11. Microsoft announced for the first time that it would kill Windows 10 in June 2021, and yet there are still people and organizations that have not changed, despite many years of prompts and warnings.
For some people – especially those with critical devices or large computers’ fleets – upgrade to Windows 11 could be a Herculean task. But if you are able to make the change, you should really do so to make sure you continue to get all the latest updates. We even have a guide on the upgrade to Windows 11 to help you cross the process.
