Windows has just released good news for those who want to keep Windows 10 a while longer and also for some users who could not upgrade because of a “Compatibility Hold”.
Keeping Windows 10
If you are one of those who never wanted to upgrade to Windows 11 and were happy enough with Windows 10 to keep it, then Microsoft has some good news for you. Microsoft has extended security updates for Windows 10 beyond the official end-of-support date.
Most of you are probably aware that Windows 10 support was scheduled to end on October 14, 2025. Users would lose all technical support, new features, and security updates. If Windows 7 is used as an indicator, we can expect Windows 10 users will continue to run without support long after the deadline.
Extended Security Update (ESU) Program
For the millions of users who wish to continue using Windows 10, Microsoft has introduced the ESU program. It allows both individuals and corporate clients to extend the expiration date of security updates for up to three years. When support ended for Windows 7 Microsoft created ESU to provide an extension for business installation only. The program covers critical and important security updates only. Technical support beyond the three years will not be available.
Pricing
The ESU program will be available as a yearly subscription for up to three years. Microsoft has not yet released a pricing policy for individual users yet, but if you consider that Education customers will only pay $1 for the first year, $2 for the second and $4 for the third year, I can’t imagine pricing will be drastically different from that. Even if they tripled that, it would only cost $21 for a three-year extension and users can limit their purchase to one, two, or three years. Business licenses will cost $61 for the first year and double each year after that. Expect the final pricing details to be released in October of this year.
Compatibility Hold Is Ending
Microsoft has also announced it has ended the “Compatibility Hold” on some Windows 10 devices. As far back as November 2011, Microsoft noticed that some PCs would produce a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) when upgraded. They tracked the problem to specific drivers that were incompatible with Intel’s Smart Sound Technology, which Intel used to handle voice interactions with a PC.
Some tech-savvy users managed to identify the issue and manually upgraded the drivers on their own. If you were not aware of the workaround, you have been in a “Compatibility Hold” for over two years.
Updates after April 19th will include the update to the Intel Driver. This fix only corrects PCs running Intel’s 11th Generation Core Processors. Once you update using the Windows update feature you should see the “This PC doesn’t currently meet the minimum system requirement to run Windows 11” replaced with a notice to update to Windows 11. To see if you are one of the PCs affected, you can check it by entering “System Information” in the Search area of the Taskbar and checking the Processor Value.
Summary
Some users may not be happy paying for an extended upgrade policy when they are already paying for a third-party AV or Antimalware program but while they share certain traits, they don’t share all traits. A robust AV can provide adequate security and if you keep it updated it should mitigate risks, but it may not protect you against Zero-Day Vulnerabilities, Advanced Threats, and “nation-state actors” have learned to bypass AVs. If you feel you practice safe browsing habits and have a good robust AV, you may be able to successfully continue past the end of support day without a problem but if the pricing is reasonable, I recommend the ESU program.
My interest in computers was a natural transition from all things electronics. I was hooked after building my first Heathkit computer around 1976, which evolved into a TSR80 and a long list of Windows computers. My first full blown program was a graphics program which started my career path in graphic design and IT work for 40 years. I now run a small computer repair and service company focused on helping veterans and retirees in our area with computer and software training classes.
8 thoughts on “Microsoft News – Extended Security Updates”
Mindblower
Very welcome news Jim. Thank you for keeping us in the light. Was willing to pay more for the security update patches. Long live Windows 10, Mindblower!
Very good news. I expect a new work laptop sometime soon, but I certainly don’t wish to be forced to change my home one just because of an “end of life” issue.
recently I had two viruses removed from my hp computer.
Now it cuts itself off every night and is slow about returning to life. I have to keep
clicking the on button over and over, and I try holding the on button. It will finally come on.
What is going on?
Hi Peter, the following long reply is offered as info only, to be honest we have to look at it in Microsofts view. There are over 1 billion win 10 PCs . It is important to note it was a free upgrades to win 7, 8, and 8.1. Windows 11 was also offered as a free upgrade if your pc can run it. 11 already has more than 400 million users. Windows 10 is being fully supported for ten years and they are offering 3 additional years for a small fee. that is a very long time. For example Apple iOS 13 is no longer supported at all and was released only 5 years ago. Also win 10 will remain comatible for many years to come after that. Just not supported. You do not have to switch over to 11. Users did the same thing with win 7 they continued to use them 5 years after support and many still are. On the other hand windows released win11 for specific security reasons to combat aggressive hackers. They needed to block hackers at the processor level and only processors with TMP which was put in processors since 2017 can run win 11. I don’t believe thy did it to make you buy a new pc I think with the state of the economy as it is, is why thy are offering extended support for three years. Thanks for commenting.
I like the tone of your reply. I’d never seen the reason for Windows 11 nicely explained before, and the whole TMP qualifier made lots of us angry. Thanks for bringing clarity to the issue.
Maybe it was bad timing. The whole windows 10 being the last version debacle didn’t help either.
I do think some businesses will struggle as with a lot of larger businesses it’s a big job to upgrade but the costs will also scale up when involving multiple devices and then you have compatibility issues .
Very welcome news Jim. Thank you for keeping us in the light. Was willing to pay more for the security update patches. Long live Windows 10, Mindblower!
Yea I was glad to see them soften their stance for home users and students that can’t afford new hardware to run a new system.
Very good news. I expect a new work laptop sometime soon, but I certainly don’t wish to be forced to change my home one just because of an “end of life” issue.
recently I had two viruses removed from my hp computer.
Now it cuts itself off every night and is slow about returning to life. I have to keep
clicking the on button over and over, and I try holding the on button. It will finally come on.
What is going on?
I mean if it’s to fix a bug they are going to fix anyways then it’s a bit cheeky.
I mean during a time when people are struggling to pay for food and electric, do they expect people to upgrade their non compatible devices?
Hi Peter, the following long reply is offered as info only, to be honest we have to look at it in Microsofts view. There are over 1 billion win 10 PCs . It is important to note it was a free upgrades to win 7, 8, and 8.1. Windows 11 was also offered as a free upgrade if your pc can run it. 11 already has more than 400 million users. Windows 10 is being fully supported for ten years and they are offering 3 additional years for a small fee. that is a very long time. For example Apple iOS 13 is no longer supported at all and was released only 5 years ago. Also win 10 will remain comatible for many years to come after that. Just not supported. You do not have to switch over to 11. Users did the same thing with win 7 they continued to use them 5 years after support and many still are. On the other hand windows released win11 for specific security reasons to combat aggressive hackers. They needed to block hackers at the processor level and only processors with TMP which was put in processors since 2017 can run win 11. I don’t believe thy did it to make you buy a new pc I think with the state of the economy as it is, is why thy are offering extended support for three years. Thanks for commenting.
Hello Jim,
I like the tone of your reply. I’d never seen the reason for Windows 11 nicely explained before, and the whole TMP qualifier made lots of us angry. Thanks for bringing clarity to the issue.
Maybe it was bad timing. The whole windows 10 being the last version debacle didn’t help either.
I do think some businesses will struggle as with a lot of larger businesses it’s a big job to upgrade but the costs will also scale up when involving multiple devices and then you have compatibility issues .