MICROSOFT has ended standard security support for Windows 10, but individuals can access a free one-year Extended Security Update (ESU) program until October 2026. Enterprises, meanwhile, can purchase up to three years of ESU but at escalating costs, incentivizing them to upgrade to Windows 11. HP reported that 30% of its customers still use Windows 10, and the company targets these users for hardware upgrades to Windows 11 systems.
Remaining consumers on Windows 10 face security risks post-October 2026 if they don't upgrade. An alternative for stability-focused users is to switch to Windows 10 IoT LTSC, offering a longer support lifecycle of five to ten years.