Microsoft will start charging Windows 10 users, and we've found out how much

As we reported to you last year in December, the Microsoft It will soon start charging fees to users who remain on it Windows 10, If they want to receive updates even after the official support date has ended. This is the first time in the history of the operating system for ordinary consumers.

Going into detail, we've known for some time that Windows 10 will continue to receive security updates from Microsoft Until October 14, 2025. After this date, free updates will never be released again, which means that the operating system may become vulnerable to various new vulnerabilities that may be discovered.

Those users who do not want to move to Windows 11 and fear potential security threats will be able to pay for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) subscription service, the cost of which was just revealed.

Going into details, The first year of updates will cost $61. Then the cost will be doubled $122 for the second year And then it will double again $244 for the third year. In fact, if someone decides to enroll in the ESU program in the second year, they will have to pay for the first year as well, as the service works cumulatively.

Microsoft typically offers these extended security update subscriptions only to organizations and businesses that must remain on older versions of Windows. Therefore, there are many special discounts if the company also pays for Microsoft cloud services, as well as for educational institutions.

Of course, the ESU program is optional and Anyone willing to take the risk can continue to use Windows 10 after that date, absolutely free.

For your information, there are millions of regular users still using Windows 10, either because they prefer it or because Microsoft raised the system requirements for Windows 11. According to StatCounter statistics, Windows 10 is still used by 69% of all Windows users! In comparison, the corresponding Windows 11 adoption rate is just 27%.