Windows 10 is not 'dead'.

Windows 10 is still receiving an additional year of security support, even though its official end-of-life date is approaching 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 providing free security updates for Windows 10 users for another year, until October 2026. However, to qualify for this offer, the device must be 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 at no extra cost.

Microsoft introduced the ESU program in 2023. Users who don't want to use a Microsoft account or back up their devices via Windows Backup can choose to pay $30 per year to continue receiving security patches. Additionally, Microsoft allows users to redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points to participate in the program. An app to support ESU registration is expected to launch in July.

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

However, the ESU program only includes security patches. Microsoft will not provide further feature updates, system bug fixes, or technical support after October 14, 2025. Users are only guaranteed to receive security-related patches for the following year.

This move is seen as a transitional measure to facilitate users who are unable to upgrade to Windows 11. However, Microsoft still encourages users to switch to the new operating system through device upgrades or by purchasing new computers with Windows 11 pre-installed. After October 2026, the ESU program will also end completely, concluding all support for Windows 10.

If you do not register for ESU using one of the methods above, your Windows 10 device will no longer receive security updates after October 14, 2025, leading to a risk of data and system security breaches.

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