- Enterprise users face significantly steeper costs for continued support while , educational institutions enjoy a more favourable rate.
- As support for Windows 10 wanes, the next few years may prove crucial in determining whether Microsoft can successfully transition its user base to Windows 11 or if significant portions will seek alternatives.
As Microsoft approaches the end-of-life date for its Windows 10 operating system in October 2025, the company has introduced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme, a significant shift aimed at assisting users reluctant or unable to upgrade to Windows 11.
For an additional cost of $30, individual consumers can extend their security support for an extra year, a move previously reserved for business and institutional users. The initiative reflects Microsoft’s recognition of the challenges faced by Windows 10 users and the mixed response to its successor.
Win 10 still in demand
As of last month, Windows 10 commands a substantial market share of 67.57 per cent, compared to Windows 11’s 27.78 per cent, according to StatCounter data.
The disparity underscores the hesitance of many users to transition to the new system. The introduction of the ESU program, as articulated by Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s consumer chief marketing officer, is intended to address this reluctance by providing an affordable solution for those who wish to maintain security without the necessity of upgrading their hardware.
This is particularly beneficial for users whose existing machines may not meet the requirements for Windows 11.
Alternative OSes
In contrast to individual consumers, enterprise users face significantly steeper costs for continued support, with prices escalating from $61 to $244 over three years.
Conversely, educational institutions enjoy a more favourable rate, paying only $1 for the first year and then $2, and then $4 per Windows 10 machine in subsequent years. The discrepancy highlights the varying strategies Microsoft employs to retain different segments of its user base.
Despite the introduction of new features, including AI capabilities and Copilot, many users remain unconvinced that Windows 11 offers sufficient improvements over Windows 10 to justify the need for new hardware.
The current economic landscape, combined with a lack of compelling incentives, has led to many consumers contemplating alternative operating systems.
The growing popularity of Apple’s macOS and the potential rise of Linux as a mainstream desktop option could pose further challenges for Microsoft if the migration away from Windows accelerates.