Microsoft extends Windows 10 update support by one year

Microsoft ended official support for Windows 10 in 2025, but the company may have a harder time than expected putting the operating system out to pasture. After promising a year of optional extended update support, Microsoft has changed its policy, tacking on another year to its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. If you are still clinging to Windows 10, you don't have to do anything but enjoy that extra year.

The last regular updates rolled out to Windows 10 in October of last year, but the Internet can be a dangerous place for unpatched Windows machines. That was a problem for Microsoft, as Windows 11 usage had only barely surpassed Windows 10 when support ended. Microsoft's solution was to give everyone on the old OS a free year of extended updates.

That program was set to end on October 12, 2026, but Microsoft has updated its policy with hardly a whisper, pushing back the end of extended updates to October 12, 2027. The ESU support page was updated with that date, and Microsoft's blog post on the program has a new editor's note confirming the change. Why this matters: The extension of Windows 10's update support has significant implications for the tech industry.

With millions of users still on the aging operating system, Microsoft's move provides a temporary reprieve for those who have not yet upgraded to Windows 11. For developers and businesses, this extra year of support means they can delay their migration plans, but it also underscores the challenges of maintaining legacy systems. As the industry continues to move towards newer technologies, Microsoft's decision highlights the complexities of balancing support for older systems with the push for innovation.

The extra year of support also raises questions about the long-term viability of Windows 10 and the potential risks associated with continued use of an unsupported operating system.