Latest news with #ExtendedSecurityUpdates
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft loosens the noose on Windows 10 users with new end-of-support timeline
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The death of Windows 10 has been signaled for years. Come October 14, 2025, the current, most-popular version of Windows will be no more — at least when it comes to technical support, new features, and vital security patches. You know, all of the things that are somewhat vital to the operating aspect of an everyday operating system. Despite aesthetic aversions and a lingering performance stigma, the only available lifeboat for Windows 10 users now is Windows 11. And it appears many are eager to hop aboard. Estimates from StatCounter analysts suggests more users than ever are made the switch to Microsoft's flagship operation system, dragging Windows 10's near 70% global desktop market share down to ~53% over the last 12 months — with Windows 11 seemingly destined to overshadow Windows 10's userbase for the first time since its October 2021 release over the next few months. However, for many, the upgrade to Windows 11 is less of a smooth transition, and more of an obstacle course of hardware hurdles, software snags, and wallet woes in the wake up Trump-era tariffs. Thankfully, Windows 10 users have a temporary "Get Out Of Jail Free" card available to them — for a price: Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. But a quiet change to Microsoft's post-end-of-support plans has made the deal unexpectedly sweeter for some Windows 10 holdouts. Features: 13-inch (2880 x 1920) 120Hz PixelSense LED display, Snapdragon X Elite 12-core CPU, 16GB RAM, Qualcomm Adreno GPU, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, Windows 11 HomeView Deal Originally, Microsoft insisted that both Windows 10 and its Microsoft 365 apps would lose support in lockstep on October 14, 2025. That's no longer the case. A recently updated Tech Community blog post indicates that Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 (including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and OneDrive) will continue to receive security updates up until October 2028 (as spotted by Neowin), stealthily turning tail on a January announcement that claimed otherwise. Does this moving of the goalposts suggest that Windows 10's end-of-support may get the same delayed treatment? Sadly, that seems incredibly unlikely. Instead, Microsoft's sudden change of heart is likely to have more to do with the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program — an offer of a slow and steady descent into unfamiliar waters, rather than the immediate walking of the plank proposed by the impeding October shutdown. Microsoft's ESU is an optional, paid service to keep Windows 10 on life support for business and home users by providing much-needed security patches after the operating system is sun-downed later this year. Home users can secure a single year of extended security for just $30. However, businesses are expected to pay $61 per device, rising to $122 and then $244 over consecutive years. The news of continued support for Microsoft 365 apps is likely to pair with businesses opting for the full three years of ESU support, and not a suggestion of any impeding u-turn on Windows 10's end-of-support date. Consider it a stay of execution, not a pardon. The noose may have loosened, but the trapdoor is still very much oiled and ready. Microsoft has given Windows 10 users a temporary lifeline, but whether they stay or delay, they'll be expected to pay. The surprise turnaround on Microsoft 365 app security updates is a welcome one, but it won't stop the inevitability of an eventual upgrade to Windows 11 — which could mean a costly upgrade in hardware amid troubling tariff-induced upticks in hardware prices for machines that don't measure up to Microsoft's inflated minimum specs. There's always the option to leave Windows behind entirely. Perhaps you're ready to switch to macOS, or the "End of 10" could be your invitation to explore a Linux alternative. That said, you could also ignore the warnings entirely, white knuckle Windows 10's end-of-support while clutching your aging hardware in a death grip, and see just how long you can outrun the operating system's obsolescence before your device is riddled with spyware, your credit cards are cloned, your machine is slowly assimilated into a Chinese state-sponsored botnet, and your best form of protection is naught but a ramshackle homemade Faraday cage. But that seems like a lot of strife just to avoid a UI with more rounded corners. Microsoft's next Windows update isn't at all what users were searching for It's the "End of 10," but that doesn't mean you have to install Windows 11 Microsoft CEO brags, AI model performance is "doubling every 6 months"
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Daily Record
Windows 10 usership continues to rise despite ultimate deadline looming
Despite Microsoft being set to pull the plug on Windows 10 in the coming months, the software is still more popular than the newer Windows 11. Recent figures have shown that despite the end slowly looming around Windows 10, the software is still the most used operating system on the planet. This is a stark contrast to its successor Windows 11, which has seen a drop in adoption. However, Microsoft users will soon be forced to make the switch as on October 14, 2025, as Windows 10 will come to the end of its life. With this date just over four months away, you would expect users to be quick to switch to the latest operating system. Well, the latest stats from team as Statcounter have revealed that Windows 10 is still the more widely popular software, with the number of users actually seen to grow in the last month, reports the Express. The new figures show that Windows 10 currently has a 53.19 per cent share of the market, whereas Windows 11 sits lower at a 43.22 per cent share. At the start of the year, many Microsoft users made the switch to the newer system as it has seen a huge growth over the past six months. However, this growth has suddenly ceased and no one is completely sure what the cause is. It has been revealed that since March, Windows 11 has only seen a growth of less than one per cent. These stats could be very worrying to Microsoft as they are set to pull the plug on the operating system's predecessor in the coming months. For those unaware of the major shift, as of October 14 Windows 10 will no longer receive any software updates. This means users of the system won't have access to any new features or security updates. While the PCs will still work, they will be more vulnerable to bugs and cyber attacks as they won't be equipped with the latest defences. Microsoft explained: "As a reminder, Windows 10 will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025. "At this point technical assistance, feature updates and security updates will no longer be provided. If you have devices running Windows 10, we recommend upgrading them to Windows 11- a more current, in-service, and supported Windows release." The annoyance for many people is that while they have a perfectly good laptop or PC that does everything they need it to do, it will simply lose updates as it is not compatible with the shinier Windows 11. Additionally, as some people look for new devices that will still receive updates, many quality devices may end up in landfills. However, Microsoft is offering users one lifeline, but it does come with a cost. An Extended Security Updates (ESU) plan will soon be available and will offer users some security patches to try and keep their devices safe. However, in order to protect your Windows 10 PC, users will need to pay £24 per year for the added security. Microsoft does emphasise that this plan means users will receive "critical and important security updates". Executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer at Windows, Yusaf Mehdi, explained: "We understand that some of you may require additional time while moving to a new Windows 11 PC or Copilot+ PC. During this period, you may wish to take steps to help secure your existing PC. "For the first time ever, we're introducing an ESU program for personal use as well. The ESU program for consumers will be a one-year option available for $30. Program enrollment will be available closer to the end of support in 2025." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Windows 10 security risks are now more of a reality for users
It appears more and more Windows 10 users may be finally ready to let go of the legacy operating system ahead of the end of its life status on October 14. Microsoft has been urging system users to update to the latest Windows 11 software before that date and after months of ignoring the call, tens of millions of users are now opting in to the update. Figures from StatCounter indicate that the percentage of Windows 10 usage has now dipped below 60% for the first time with 58.7% of global users running the system as of February 2025. Meanwhile, stats for Windows 11 are slowly creeping up toward 40% with 38.2% of global users running this version of Microsoft's OS. Notably, StatCounter doesn't account for exactly how users transition from one software version to another. Previous research has shown that businesses, in particular, were updating to Windows 11 when they replaced hardware, as opposed to upgrading systems from Windows 11– despite having PCs with the minimum requirements to upgrade to the latest operating system. Meanwhile, many companies are marketing desktops and laptops with desirable features, such as the Copilot + AI tool in addition to Windows 11. The biggest challenge about Windows 10 reaching end of life is while Microsoft will no longer actively be developing the system it will also no longer be pushing security updates to devices running the system. This also stands to leave numerous devices vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. Microsoft plans to offer Windows 10 users a 12-month security extension for $30 to maintain the operating system beyond the allotted time. Users will have to enroll to participate in the Extended Security Updates (ESU). That enrollment time will open closer to October 14. Forbes pondered whether Microsoft can be successful at maintaining its strict directives pertaining to the Windows 10 end-of-life and its ESU timeline. However, the Verge previously noted that the company could be forced to provide free security updates for out-of-date software in extreme circumstances, such as defending against ransomware attacks. One such case happened in 2017 when an update had to be sent to the defunct Windows XP OS.
