Keeping Windows 10 after 2025: What Will It Cost?

• ESUs will be critical for securing devices that can’t move to Windows 11 by Oct. 2025, due to missing hardware or other constraints.
• Commercial and educational pricing details just released enable businesses and schools to calculate the cost of keeping Windows 10 in service.
• Costs depend on the type of Windows 10 ESU, which in turn depends on how an organization deploys and activates ESUs, as well as the number of years of coverage.
• Updating to Windows 11 remains the best option for staying on a currently supported version of the Windows client OS.

The accompanying chart shows prices for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESUs) by type of hosting arrangement. ESUs are subscription add-ons that are required to receive security updates for Windows 10 on a device after the version leaves Extended support on Oct. 25, 2025.

Hosting is the Biggest Cost Factor

For business customers, the cost for Windows 10 ESUs varies depending on where the ESU is used or whether the organization’s users are licensed for Intune or Autopatch or use MAK activation.