- Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 get up to three years of ESU, at a cost
- For Windows 10, it will be $61 per year, doubling annually
- Critical and important security updates have you covered
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 will be eligible for up to three years of Extended Security Updates (ESU) as the company battles continued slow adoption of its latest platform.
Windows 11 didn’t exactly get off to a good start: It launched in October 2021, but it only approached Windows 10’s market share in mid-2025.
As of February 2026, Windows 10 still accounts for 36% of all Windows installations (via Statcounter), compared to Windows 11 at 62%, with Windows 7 in third place with just over 1% share.
Windows 10 users receive a paid lifeline
Windows 10 reached end of service (EOS) in October 2025 and most users now can’t get security updates, but they can get fixes or technical support, let alone new features.
The ESU program aims to bridge the gap between operating system migration by giving businesses access to critical and important security updates, but that’s about it. There is no news yet.
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has offered a paid lifeline to slow or reluctant updaters, but while pricing is yet to be confirmed, we at least expect it to be expensive. Windows Server 2012 previously received an ESU program that cost 100% of its license cost annually.
As for Windows 10, eligible customers will pay $61 per device for the first year, or $45 if managed with Intune or Windows Autopatch. Thereafter, the price doubles annually.
“If you decide to enroll devices in the ESU program in the second year, you will also need to pay the first year’s costs, since ESUs are cumulative,” Microsoft added. “The more complex your environment, the more life cycle events you will need to juggle. We know it!”
Although the company is giving “the gift of time,” it urges users to start thinking seriously about upgrading to Windows Server 2025, Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, and Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
