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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › whats-new › extended-security-updates
Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 | Microsoft Learn
The following are frequently asked ... 10 can be purchased today through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program, at $61 USD per device for Year One....
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › lifecycle › faq › extended-security-updates
Product Lifecycle FAQ - Extended Security Updates | Microsoft Learn
For ESUs in Azure, Software Assurance is not required for free ESUs, but Software Assurance is required for Azure Hybrid Benefit. ... Full License price is the equivalent to a License-only purchase and not the License portion of an L+SA contract.
Discussions

how much will the Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 cost
I understand that for individuals or Windows 10 Home customers, Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 will be available for purchase at $30 for one year. What happens after one year? Do I still pay $30 dollars each year if I decide to keep my Windows… More on learn.microsoft.com
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0
August 30, 2025
Extended Support Costs $61 per year for up to 3 years
That is incorrect, the price is $61 for the first year. The price will double every consecutive year, the maximum is three years. If you decide to skip a year and start at year two, you'll have to pay for year one too. The pricing for consumers is $30 for one year, they are not offering year two or three to consumers. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Windows10
38
12
March 20, 2025
Microsoft reveals how much Windows 10 Extended Security Updates will cost
That trick for Windows 7 where you changed the registry values so that the update server thought you were a point of sale system and allowed you to install extended security updates was pretty nifty. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/windows
85
116
April 4, 2024
Microsoft: Pay $30 to keep using Windows 10 securely for another year (ESU)
That kinda exceeds my $0 OS subscription budget More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Windows10
196
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October 31, 2024
People also ask

How do I install ESU updates?

On Azure: Applicable virtual machines (VMs) hosted in Azure are automatically enabled for ESUs if the VM is configured to receive updates, and these updates are provided free of charge.

On-premises/hybrid: Customers can install ESUs by accessing their multiple activation keys through the M365 Admin Center portal or directly installing ESUs through Azure Arc-enabled servers. Learn more about the installation details here for Windows Server and here for SQL Server installation.

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learn.microsoft.com
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › lifecycle › faq › extended-security-updates
Product Lifecycle FAQ - Extended Security Updates | Microsoft Learn
How to obtain an ESU license outside of Azure?

Customers have two options for licensing ESU (ESU):

  1. Via Azure Arc-enabled servers: With Extended Security Updates enabled by Azure Arc.
  2. Commercial Licensing: Acquire Extended Security Updates licenses (SKUs) through a Microsoft Commercial Licensing program.

For maximum flexibility and convenience, we recommend using Azure Arc-enabled servers.

You can acquire ESU licenses either directly from Microsoft or from your partner such as an EA Reseller or CSP partner (eligible to sell ESUs as of Oct. 1, 2023 for both types of ESUs mentioned above).

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for ESU on-premises or in hosted environments, your server or operating system must meet one of the following prerequisites:

  1. Be covered by an active Software Assurance (SA) plan acquired through any program, such as Enterprise Agreement (EA), Enterprise Agreement Subscription (EAS), Server & Cloud Enrollment (SCE), or Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES).
  2. Have active subscription licenses acquired through any program, including Cloud Solution Provider (CSP).
  3. Have been acquired as 'License-Included' services through a Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) partner.

Note

"License-Included" means that you have obtained Windows Server or SQL Server licenses directly from a SPLA partner, rather than using your own licenses.

Deployment scenarios

You can apply ESU enabled by Azure Arc and ESU licenses (SKUs) to any properly licensed server or operating system, whether it's deployed on-premises or on non-Azure clouds (including hosters). If you're running your OS in another cloud, make sure to adhere to the respective outsourcing or License Mobility policies for the underlying software.

Examples:

  1. SPLA Scenario: If you've acquired your software from an SPLA partner, you can cover it with ESU licenses.
  2. BYOL Scenario: If you've brought your own licenses to a cloud hosting provider via your Outsourcing policy or License Mobility, you can cover your software with ESU licenses.
  3. On-premises: If you're running your software on-prem, you can cover it with ESU licenses.
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learn.microsoft.com
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › lifecycle › faq › extended-security-updates
Product Lifecycle FAQ - Extended Security Updates | Microsoft Learn
ESU Availability and End Dates
Products End of Extended Support/ESU Start Date ESU End Date Year 1 ESU End Date Year 2 ESU End Date Year 3 Type of Security Update
Windows Embedded POSReady 7* October 12, 2021 October 11, 2022 October 10, 2023 October 8, 2024 Critical, Important
SQL Server 2012 July 12, 2022 July 11, 2023 July 9, 2024 July 8, 2025 Critical
Windows Server 2012/R2 October 10, 2023 October 8, 2024 October 14, 2025 October 13, 2026 Critical, Important
SQL Server 2014 July 9, 2024 July 8, 2025 July 14, 2026 July 12, 2027 Critical
Windows 10*** October 14, 2025 October 13, 2026 October 12, 2027 October 10, 2028 Critical, Important

* Extended Security Updates for select Embedded products are available via OEMs. All others are available via volume licensing.
** One additional year of ESU is available for Windows Server and SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 only on Azure.
*** The editions that qualify for the Windows 10 ESU include Enterprise, Education, and Pro in Commercial use.

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learn.microsoft.com
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › lifecycle › faq › extended-security-updates
Product Lifecycle FAQ - Extended Security Updates | Microsoft Learn
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 5704668 › prize-for-windows10-extension-license
Prize for windows10 extension license - Microsoft Q&A
January 12, 2026 - The cost for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 is as follows: Year One: $61 USD per device. Year Two: The price doubles, so it will be $122 USD per device.
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 5539762 › how-much-will-the-extended-security-updates-for-wi
how much will the Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 cost - Microsoft Q&A
August 30, 2025 - I understand that for individuals or Windows 10 Home customers, Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 will be available for purchase at $30 for one year. What happens after one year?
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Windows Forum
windowsforum.com › forums › windows help and support forums › windows news
Microsoft ESU for Windows 10 LTSB 2016 and Server 2016: Costs and Migration | Windows Forum
February 24, 2026 - Pricing: $61 per device for Year 1, with a discounted rate of $45 per device for systems managed by Microsoft Intune or Windows Autopatch. Escalation: price doubles every consecutive year, for a maximum enrollment period of three years; ESU ...
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Windows Forum
windowsforum.com › forums › windows help and support forums › windows news
Microsoft 2016 ESU: Costs, Timelines, and Migration Tradeoffs | Windows Forum
February 24, 2026 - Discount: $45 USD per device if the device is managed via Microsoft Intune or Windows Autopatch (a management discount that rewards cloud/endpoint management adoption). Escalation: The ESU list price doubles every consecutive year (Year 2 = ...
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Windows News
windowsnews.ai › windows news
Microsoft Hikes Windows 10 ESU Prices, Xbox Consoles, and Services in Revenue Push - Windows News
1 week ago - Microsoft hikes Windows 10 ESU prices to $60 for consumers and $122 per device for businesses, while Xbox consoles and Game Pass get costlier. What it means...
Find elsewhere
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Help Net Security
helpnetsecurity.com › home › microsoft extends security patching for three windows products at a price
Microsoft extends security patching for three Windows products at a price - Help Net Security
February 24, 2026 - Customers can purchase up to three years of ESU after end of support. Pricing starts at $61 per device for the first year and is discounted to $45 per device for systems managed through Microsoft Intune or Windows Autopatch.
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Microsoft Business Licenses
365cloudstore.com › 365 cloud store › products › perpetual software › buy windows 10 esu year 1 (2025 - 2026) - $61.00 usd
Buy Windows 10 ESU Year 1 (2025 - 2026) - $61.00 USD
Windows 10 ESU Year 1 (2025 - 2026)
Protect your PC after October 14, 2025 with Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU). Get critical updates for up to 3 more years.
Price   $61.00
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Computer Weekly
computerweekly.com › feature › Windows-10-Microsoft-Extended-Support-Upgrade-programme-explained
Windows 10: Microsoft Extended Support Upgrade programme explained | Computer Weekly
Windows 10 Extended Security Updates ... patches until 14 October 2028. ESU is purchased one year at a time, and the price will double annually, ......
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ZDNET
zdnet.com › home › tech › services & software › operating systems › windows
Can't quit Windows 10? Here's how to keep getting security updates after October 2025 | ZDNET
July 9, 2025 - A three-year ESU subscription will cost $61 + $122 + $244, for a total of $427 per PC. Also: Can you really get Windows and Office for free? These hackers say yes · The program closely resembles what Microsoft offered for Windows 7's end-of-support ...
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Park City IT Pros
parkcityitpro.com › home › technology resources › windows 10 esu costs: quick breakdown
Windows 10 ESU Costs: Quick Breakdown - Park City IT Pros
November 19, 2025 - Windows 10 ESU costs explained: yearly tiers, business vs consumer pricing, discounts, and why Park City IT Pros prevents costly mistakes.
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › partner-center › customers › extended-security-updates
Purchasing Extended Security Update Licenses as a Cloud Solution Provider - Partner Center | Microsoft Learn
For software, there isn't a price list preview so purchase, and pricing availability aligns to calendar month (first). Partners are charged for the amount posted at time of purchase. Some ESUs are available to purchase before their coverage dates start.
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Brytesoft
brytesoft.com › home › blog
Windows 10 ESU Cost in 2026: 3-Year Pricing Breakdown
February 25, 2026 - Organizations must purchase ESU sequentially and cannot skip years. Late enrollment typically requires retroactive payment. Exact pricing depends on licensing agreements, edition type, and purchasing channel. However, Microsoft’s ESU structure consistently escalates annually.
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BleepingComputer
bleepingcomputer.com › home › news › microsoft › microsoft quietly extends free windows 10 esu support to october 2027
Microsoft quietly extends free Windows 10 ESU support to October 2027
1 week ago - Enterprise customers could also enroll in the ESU program for up to three years, bringing the total cost per device to $427 over that period. With today's quiet update, Microsoft has now extended the free consumer ESU program to October 12, ...
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Trusted Tech Team
trustedtechteam.com › blogs › windows › windows-10-esu-10-things-you-need-to-know
Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) 10 Things You Need to Know – TrustedTech
November 4, 2025 - Year 2 (Oct 2026 – Oct 2027): $122 per device (price doubles in the second year). Year 3 (Oct 2027 – Oct 2028): $244 per device (doubles again in the third year). In other words, if a business were to keep a Windows 10 machine on ESU for ...
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SCHNEIDER IT MANAGEMENT
schneider.im › microsoft-windows-10-cloud-enabled-extended-security-updates
Save Costs on Windows 10 ESU: All Options Explained [2025]
March 2, 2026 - Cloud Managed licenses allow you to conveniently manage Extended Security Updates (ESU) online via Windows Autopatch or Intune: ... Priced at an approximate discount of 25% compared to Standard ESU.
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Microsoft Business Licenses
365cloudstore.com › 365 cloud store › products › perpetual software › buy windows 10 esu year 3 (2027–2028) license – $244
Buy Windows 10 ESU Year 3 (2027–2028) License – $244
Windows 10 ESU Year 3 (2027 - 2028)
Buy Windows 10 ESU Year 3 (2027–2028) for $244 and keep your devices secure with ongoing critical updates.
Price   $244.00
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IdarB
idarb.com › home › 2026 › may › 10 › consumer esu for windows 10: what it is, what it costs, and who should budget for it
Windows 10 Consumer ESU Cost Guide for 2026 Users
May 2, 2026 - Windows 10 consumer ESU is a one-year ... ways: at no extra cost if you are syncing your PC settings, by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or through a one-time $30 USD purchase or local equivalent plus tax....