en.Wedoany.com Reported - Microsoft has announced a one-year extension of the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10, allowing registered users to continue receiving security support until October 14, 2027. Users can register for free via their Microsoft account, or pay 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or $30 to gain access. Previously, Microsoft ended official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, a move expected to leave nearly 400 million PCs without updates. Following widespread user demand, Microsoft extended the operating system's lifecycle through the ESU program.

The Restart Project organization has participated in the development of the "End of 10" toolkit, designed to assist users unable to upgrade to Windows 11. The organization believes that Microsoft's continued push of security updates to Windows 10 after support ended is akin to hitting the snooze button at the last moment, merely applying a band-aid to a system riddled with vulnerabilities.

Microsoft has been urging users to upgrade to Windows 11, but rising memory prices have driven up hardware costs, coupled with the operating system's stringent hardware requirements and controversial design elements, making the transition difficult. In France, critics even held a symbolic "funeral" for Windows 10 to protest Microsoft's push for Windows 11 and its alleged planned obsolescence.

Users can register for the ESU program for free via their Microsoft account, ensuring they continue to receive critical updates after the original deadline. This policy adjustment is seen by some observers as Microsoft's direct acknowledgment of Windows 11's shortcomings. One Windows Central reader commented that if memory or storage issues are not resolved, users may switch to Linux and open-source software. Organizations like End of 10 have begun promoting the switch to Linux versions on older devices, highlighting the absence of ads and telemetry tracking as selling points.

A survey by HP shows that 30% of HP PCs still run Windows 10, a slight decrease from September 2025. At that time, HP and Dell indicated that up to 50% of PCs still used the operating system, with PC manufacturers believing the upgrade process would not be completed in the short term and could extend into 2026.

The impact of Microsoft's extension of Windows 10 support to 2027 via the ESU program on Windows 11's market share remains unclear. Windows 11 only surpassed Windows 10 to become the world's most dominant desktop operating system in July 2025.

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