Microsoft has reminded IT administrators that free security updates for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 will end on 12 January 2027, giving organisations roughly five months to plan their next move. Those wanting to keep receiving patches beyond that date will need to enrol in the paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme, adding to the costs already facing the many businesses still running Windows 10 despite Microsoft's efforts to push users onto Windows 11.

ESU pricing starts at $61 per device for the first year, doubling annually until the three-year scheme ends on 8 January 2030, with sales opening on 1 September 2026; joining late still requires paying for earlier years. A 25 percent discount, bringing Year 1 down to $45, is available to organisations using cloud-based update tools such as Intune or Autopatch, while Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC is unaffected, remaining supported until January 2032. Windows 10 overall still accounts for nearly 30 percent of the market according to Statcounter, with migration to Windows 11 hampered by incompatible specialist software and strict hardware requirements around processors and TPM.