Millions of Windows 10 users are facing a pricey decision as Microsoft confirms new annual fees. Despite the recent launch of Windows 11, many people remain loyal to Windows 10.
The latest statistics reveal that this older operating system still holds over 60% of the market share.
However, this could soon change as Microsoft plans to end support for Windows 10 next year. This leaves those with it installed with a difficult and potentially costly choice – either purchase a new laptop compatible with Windows 11 or pay the newly announced fees by Microsoft.
It was already known that the American company planned to offer Extended Security Updates for those wishing to continue using Windows 10 beyond next year’s end-of-support deadline.
What is now clear is that it will cost approximately £50 per year to keep your device updated and secure from potential threats, reports the Mirror.
While moving to Windows 11 is recommended, there are circumstances that could prevent you from replacing Windows 10 devices before the EOS date. Therefore, Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates, confirmed last December.
“Mark your calendars! ” said Microsoft’s Jason Leznek. “By now, you’ve probably heard that Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. You can enroll those PCs in the paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program. ESUs allow you to receive critical and/or important security updates for Windows 10 PCs when you need extra time to move to Windows 11.”
(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
That’s a relief for those reluctant to switch to Windows 11, but it comes at a cost.
The service is priced at $61 per year (£48), a fee that has so far only been confirmed for business enterprise users, leaving home users awaiting their price point. Expectations are set around £50 for personal laptop users, which, while steep, is significantly less than the cost of a new PC.
For many with older machines that aren’t compatible with Windows 11, the ESU scheme offers a way to maintain their existing hardware. However, this is not an indefinite fix; Microsoft has stated that it will provide this paid support for just three years following the end-of-life date.
Full specs required to run Windows 11
Processor: A minimum of 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).
RAM: At least 4 gigabytes (GB).
Storage: A minimum of 64 GB storage is necessary for the installation of Windows 11.
Graphics card: It must be compatible with DirectX 12 or later versions, and have a WDDM 2.0 driver.
TPM: The system requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
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