Windows 10 reaches EOL October 2025, and those who don’t upgrade may have to pay

Windows operating system end of life events are a big deal, with 1.6 billion active Windows devices as of 2024 Microsoft still holds a commanding lead over any other operating system provider. Even though Windows 11 was released almost 4 years ago at this point, it still only represents 28% of the global Windows market share (with 70% still using Windows 10).

There are a lot of reasons for this, from users being comfortable with the Windows 10 interface to many devices that simply aren’t Windows 11 ready (interested in a Windows 11 device in 2025? Here’s our guide).

Users hanging onto a previous version of Windows until the bitter end is nothing new for Microsoft, Windows 7 still had a 12% market share when Windows 11 was released October 2021 (almost 2 years since it’s own EOL date occurred).

In the past, Microsoft has released critical security updates even for systems no longer receiving support. Users could also purchase optional extended support plans for devices that can’t be upgraded for one reason or another (the keyword being “optional”).

Now Microsoft has announced for the first time ever that consumers looking to extend the life of their Windows 10 devices - or just remain on the operating system they prefer - will have to $30 for a single year of Extended Security Updates (ESU).

Businesses will be charged even more for ESU, $61 for the first year with the price increasing steeply every year beyond 2025 - $122 for the second year and $244 for the third year respectively. This does not grant Windows 10 users the ability to receive support from Microsoft for these devices, it only means they will still receive critical and important security updates.

Microsoft has been pushing Windows 11 adoption and we will likely see a stronger market share as consumers replace older devices especially as more AI ready devices become available on the market and Microsoft users look to also take advantage of Co-Pilot.

There are also some compelling reasons not to use a device that’s reached EOL that go beyond user preference (and the first is covered by this article):

1. Lack of Security Updates: EOL devices no longer receive critical security patches, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks and malware.
2. Compliance Risks: Using outdated devices can lead to non-compliance with industry regulations, potentially resulting in fines or reputational damage.
3. Performance Issues: EOL devices may struggle with newer applications and workloads, leading to inefficiencies and reduced productivity.
4. Increased Maintenance Costs: Aging hardware is more prone to failures and often requires costly repairs or workarounds to maintain functionality.

If navigating Windows 10 EOL in your office in 2025 keeps you awake at night, Valley Techlogic can assist. Whether it be evaluating whether your office devices are Windows 11 ready or procurement assistance, we are experts at helping our clients make strategic choices in the technology hardware used by their business. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.

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