Windows Extended Security Updates

Microsoft has announced it will make paid Extended Security Updates (ESUs) available for Windows 10 22H2 when it leaves support in Oct. 2025, for consumers and enterprises that have not been able to upgrade to a supported Windows client OS. 

ESUs

Although Microsoft has announced it will make ESUs available for Windows 10, specific details are unknown. However, generally ESUs are restricted only to security updates and limited quality updates (bug fixes) that Microsoft chooses to release. It is unlikely an ESU would ever have any new features or feature updates. Therefore, the updates could keep some Windows client OS systems viable for up to three years from the end of Mainstream support. However, caution is required, and migration to a supported version of the Windows client OS should still be the target for most devices, or they should be replaced with newer devices that can run the most recent supported version of the OS.

The availability of ESUs does not mean an organization can substantially postpone migration to a supported Windows client OS. Organizations should instead determine which devices are blocking migration to a supported version of Windows and use ESUs specifically on these devices, as opposed to using ESUs to blanket all devices and postpone the inevitable. Successfully adapting to the new Windows service and support cadence requires new deployment and management processes and tools. Organizations should continue to execute a plan to migrate to the new service and support processes and tools, and then use them to deploy a supported version of Windows on most of their devices.