Windows 10 is not 'dead'

Windows 10's security support is still extended for another year, even though it is approaching its official end of life date this coming October.

Microsoft will continue to provide security support for Windows 10 until October 2026. Photo: Bloomberg .

Microsoft has just announced that it will continue to provide free security updates to Windows 10 users for another year, extending to October 2026. However, the condition to enjoy this offer is that the device must have data synchronized with the cloud via a Microsoft account.

Specifically, users need to use the Windows Backup application to back up data, including documents, photos, system settings, and login information to OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage service. Each Microsoft account will have 5 GB of free storage available. If this condition is met, the device will be automatically enrolled in the Extended Security Update (ESU) program without any additional cost.

The ESU program was introduced by Microsoft in 2023. Accordingly, users who do not want to use a Microsoft account or do not back up their devices via Windows Backup can choose to pay a fee of $ 30 / year to continue receiving security patches. In addition, Microsoft also allows conversion with 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points to participate in the program. The application supporting ESU registration is expected to be deployed from July.

The extension of security support for Windows 10 is not unexpected, as more than 50% of Windows devices are still running this version of the operating system. Microsoft is concerned that after the promotion ends on October 14, hundreds of millions of devices could be vulnerable to cyberattacks due to lack of security software.

However, the ESU program only covers security patches. Microsoft will no longer provide feature updates, system bug fixes, or technical support after October 14, 2025. Users are only guaranteed to receive security-related patches for the next year.

This move is seen as a transitional measure to facilitate users who have not been able to upgrade to Windows 11. However, Microsoft still encourages users to switch to the new operating system through upgrading on the device or buying a new computer with Windows 11 pre-installed. After October 2026, the ESU program will also be completely terminated, ending all support for Windows 10.

If you do not register for ESU in one of the above ways, your Windows 10 device will no longer receive security updates after October 14, 2025, which puts your data and system at risk.

Source: https://znews.vn/window-10-van-ton-tai-post1563615.html