Windows 10 end of support: ESU doubles in price and it is time to decide

The Windows 10 end of support arrived a year ago, but many organisations carried on thanks to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme. That first year ends today, 13 October 2026. The second starts tomorrow, and the price per device doubles.

For IT leaders in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile, the Windows 10 end of support means it is time to run the numbers: renew, migrate or replace. Here is what each option costs, what ESU does not cover and why every decision starts with knowing how many Windows 10 devices you really have.

Windows 10 end of support: what happened and what is left

Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. Since then, devices still running it no longer receive security updates unless the organisation pays for ESU.

ESU is a temporary, paid service: for businesses it lasts a maximum of three years, until October 2028. Its purpose is to buy time to migrate, not to extend the life of Windows 10 indefinitely: the Windows 10 end of support cannot be reversed.

How much Windows 10 ESU costs in its second year

The price doubles every year. These are the reference prices per device for organisations, published in US dollars; the final amount may vary depending on currency and purchasing channel:

One key detail: ESU is cumulative. Anyone who did not buy the first year and wants protection now must also pay for that expired year. There is no discount for the months without coverage.

The exception is Windows 10 virtual machines in Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop, which include ESU at no extra cost.

What ESU does not solve

ESU does not reverse the Windows 10 end of support: it only delivers critical and important security patches. It adds no new features or improvements, and it does not change the underlying fact: the devices still on Windows 10 are usually the oldest in the fleet.

Paying USD 122 this year and USD 244 next year for a device that will have to be replaced anyway is, in many cases, a significant share of the price of a new one.

What is more, an unpatched device is not just a technical problem. Regulations such as NIS2 and the ENS in Spain, Chile's Cybersecurity Framework Law or Mexico's National Cybersecurity Plan require organisations to manage vulnerabilities and respond quickly to incidents (we cover this in detail in our article on the Cyber Resilience Act). An unsupported operating system is exactly the kind of risk audits spot first.

The 4 options for your Windows 10 devices

Given the Windows 10 end of support, if any of your devices is already compatible with Windows 11, there is no point paying ESU for it.

How to decide device by device: 5 steps

To handle the Windows 10 end of support in an orderly way, follow these steps:

1. A real inventory. Find every device still running Windows 10, including those at remote sites or outside the domain.
2. Compatibility. Identify which ones meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements and which do not.
3. Dependencies. Detect which devices run software or support processes that only work on Windows 10.
4. Risk-based priority. Start with the devices that support critical services or handle sensitive information.
5. Plan and follow-up. Manage the migration as a controlled change, with dates, owners and a record for each device.

How Proactivanet helps you with the Windows 10 end of support

Proactivanet gives you the full picture of your fleet and helps you carry out the plan. And with offices in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile, we know the reality of each market.

• Discovery & Asset Management: automatically detects up to 110% of physical and virtual assets, with their hardware and software, with no manual intervention.
• CMDB: links each device to the services it supports, so you can prioritise by impact.
• Change Management: plans and records every migration or replacement.
• Cybersecurity & Compliance: the CyberITAM engine integrates ENS, NIS2 and DORA requirements with the inventory, so unsupported devices do not become an audit finding.

That way, the decision on the Windows 10 end of support, whether to renew ESU, migrate or replace, is made with data, device by device, not blindly.

Frequently asked questions about the Windows 10 end of support

When was the Windows 10 end of support?

The Windows 10 end of support was on 14 October 2025. Since then, only devices covered by ESU receive security updates.

How much does Windows 10 ESU cost in its second year?

USD 122 per device for organisations, double the first year. If the first year was not purchased, both must be paid: USD 183.

Can you skip a year of ESU?

No. The programme is cumulative: to be covered in a given year, the previous years must have been paid.

How long can Windows 10 be extended with ESU?

For organisations, until October 2028 at the latest, with a third year at USD 244 per device.

Is there any way to get ESU without paying for it?

Yes, on Windows 10 virtual machines in Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop, where it is included.

What is the first step to decide?

A reliable inventory: knowing how many devices are still on Windows 10, which are compatible with Windows 11 and which services depend on them.

Do you know how many Windows 10 devices are left in your organisation and which ones you could upgrade to Windows 11 for free? Request a Proactivanet demo and see your entire IT estate in minutes.

Sources

• Teal Tech: Windows 10 ESU Year 2 Costs Double on October 14
• UMSOL: Windows 10 ESU Cost, 2026 Pricing Explained
• 3rd Element Consulting: Windows 10 ESU Year Two