Windows 10 ESU Options

In January, I blogged about how Windows 10 computers really don’t need to be retired in October 2025. Microsoft will grant a reprieve (stay of execution?), even though Windows 10’s end-of-support date is 10/14/2025. If you missed my first post on this topic, you may want to check it out before we get into the latest on Windows 10 ESU options. These are newly announced by Microsoft:

Option #1 – Pay $30

This option still stands from the earlier ESU announcements. This price is for regular everyday people like you and me, and a single $30 payment can cover up to 10 computers. Large businesses and educational institutions will enjoy different pricing.

Option #2 – Start Using Windows Backup

Windows Backup is built-in to Windows 10, and is essentially a OneDrive file backup, plus a backup of certain user settings and installed apps. To use this, you would have to create and sign-in to a Microsoft account. An overview and instructions are available at this website.

This would seem like a solid option, and Microsoft says this is a free way to enroll your Windows 10 PC into ESU. So what’s the catch? Probably that OneDrive has a 5GB data limit to it. If you start using Windows Backup and exceed that amount with your files, then Microsoft will quickly jump up and demand that you pay $20/yr for extra space.

PS: if you are subscribed to 365 and paying an annual for your Microsoft apps, then this option is for you. Your subscription includes a 1TB data allotment, which is enough to use Windows Backup on almost any computer. Essentially, a 365 subscription gets you into the ESU program at no extra cost.

Option #3 – Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards Points

Apparently, Microsoft has a “Rewards program”, where you may earn “points” as you surf the web. But to earn these points, you’ll have to sign-in to a Microsoft account and use the Edge browser and Bing search engine a lot. I expect that this also allows Microsoft to hoover up a lot more info on your web activity. You can review the details of this program at this website.

Final Notes

Whatever you decide to do, you don’t need to act now. You can’t do anything until we get closer to October. Microsoft will “make things happen” when they decide it’s time.

This only concerns Windows 10 PCs. If you’re on Windows 11, none of this concerns you. If your Win10 system can get Windows 11, I recommend you take it before October.

Windows 10 users have an Option #4 – Do Nothing. Your computer will work just fine after October 2025. Your antivirus will keep working, as will all of your other apps. All that would change is the system stops receiving security patches through Windows Updates. Is that a small risk or a large one? No one can honestly say, and since I don’t want to put anyone at risk, I can only mention that option but not recommend it.