In a nutshell: As Microsoft prepares to end free security updates for Windows 10 in October, a significant challenge looms for charities that refurbish and distribute older computers to those in need. With an estimated 240 million PCs unable to meet the stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11, these organizations face a difficult decision: provide potentially insecure Windows 10 systems, send them to e-waste recyclers, or explore alternative operating systems like Linux.
A hot potato: Windows 10 is approaching the end of its lifecycle, with security and stability updates set to stop soon. However, many users seem reluctant to move on. In fact, the operating system has grown even more popular compared to a month ago. Could Windows 11 risk becoming Microsoft's next major headache?
In brief: We're less than one year away from Windows 10's end-of-life date. Microsoft has already revealed how much businesses will have to pay if they want to continue receiving official support after October 14, 2025. Now, the company has announced that customers will also be able to purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU) for $30 for one year, with no option to continue beyond that period.