Microsoft Extends Security Updates for Windows 10 Until October 2027

Originally, Microsoft had wanted to end support for Windows 10 back in October 2025. Following criticism from consumer advocates, the company backed down: "Nach Druck von Verbraucherschützern kündigte Microsoft an, ein weiteres Jahr Sicherheitsupdates kostenlos zur Verfügung zu stellen". According to estimates, around 650 million people worldwide were still using the Windows 10 operating system last summer; up to 400 million computers are reportedly not compatible with Windows 11. This gives customers more time to equip themselves with a new PC.

Microsoft had already announced the ESU program for private customers at the end of 2024 and specified it in the summer of 2025. Now, however, Microsoft has updated its support articles without much announcement and merely points out the change in a footnote. The date on which PCs in the ESU program will receive a security update for the last time is now October 12, 2027.

What Changes for Private Customers?

For users who have already registered their PC for ESU and are receiving security updates, nothing changes: "Auf Rechnern, die bereits für ESU registriert sind und Sicherheitsupdates bekommen, wird laut Microsoft kein weiterer Eingriff nötig; die Updates laufen nach Oktober 2026 einfach weiter." The procedure for putting not-yet-registered Windows 10 installations into the ESU program also remains unchanged.

Anyone residing in the European Economic Area (EEA) and signing in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account can participate in the ESU program free of charge. This regulation stems from a dispute over the legality of the terms of use: "Nach einigen Querelen um die Rechtmäßigkeit der Nutzungsbedingungen im Europäischen Wirtschaftsraum (EWR) ist die Teilnahme am ESU-Programm gratis, sofern man im EWR wohnt und sich mit einem Microsoft-Konto an Windows 10 anmeldet."

Regulations Outside the EEA

Outside the EEA, Microsoft charges a one-time fee of around 30 euros. The price apparently remains the same despite the extension. "Ansonsten kostet es einmalig rund 30 Euro – der Preis bleibt trotz der Verlängerung offenbar gleich", the broadcaster reported.

Business Customers with Tiered Pricing

Independently of this, the ESU program for business customers continues. Business customers can add the ESU updates for up to three years and pay tiered prices. They do not have the option to receive the extended security patches for free. In the third year of the tiered pricing structure, companies pay around 240 euros per machine according to the report, "und im dritten nochmals auf 240 Euro", as the article put it.

Distribution of Windows 10

With the extension, Microsoft is responding to an exceptionally large installed base: According to estimates, around 650 million people worldwide were still using the Windows 10 operating system last summer, and according to another estimate, up to 400 million computers are not compatible with Windows 11. The older operating system thus remains for the time being one of the most widely used software platforms of all.

Reporting on the extension was picked up, among others, by Deutschlandfunk on 25.06.2026. The article also featured embedded YouTube content that, according to the notice, is only loaded after user consent and may transmit personal data to Google Ireland Limited.

Overall, Microsoft is now pushing back the end of support for Windows 10 to October 12, 2027. This gives millions of private customers an additional year to either migrate their devices to Windows 11 or gradually replace them, without having to immediately forgo important security patches.