The move comes as a surprise, especially as Microsoft is not planning any major updates to Windows 10, despite its popularity and the fact that there are less than two years of support left. The company is also adding an AI-powered Copilot to Windows 10 and may make additional AI investments in the future. Microsoft may be compelled to offer free Windows 10 security updates beyond the end of support date, similar to a patch provided for Windows XP in 2017, three years after extended support ended.
Key takeaways:
- Microsoft will allow consumers to pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 through an annual subscription service when support ends for the operating system in 2025.
- The ESU program for Windows 10 will include critical and/or important security updates but will not include new features, customer-requested non-security updates, or design change requests.
- Microsoft is adding its AI-powered Copilot to Windows 10 and making additional investments that could include more AI features in the future.
- Microsoft may be forced to offer free Windows 10 security updates beyond the end of support date if the operating system falls victim to a large-scale security threat, similar to a patch provided for Windows XP in 2017, three years after extended support ended.