Whew! Windows 10 users get a one-year extension to get security updates

If I still have to use a Windows 10 PC, I’ll be thrilled that Microsoft is expanding its operating system Extended security updates The software for this operating system runs through October 14, 2027. Its original expiration date was October 13 of this year.

Yesterday, Microsoft quietly rolled out its update Original blog post from almost a year ago With new information, but without changing the publication date (according to the Wayback Machine). Veteran Windows correspondent Ed Bott of ZDNET noticed the subtle change To Microsoft Windows 10 Consumer ESU page.

Microsoft did not give a real reason for changing the date, other than to say that it “gives customers more time and flexibility to find the best PC to fit their needs while keeping them protected,” in an emailed statement.

Since Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 in October 2025, the software has been the only way to continue receiving security patches to help protect legacy systems from new and future threats.

Although expanding such programs is not unusual — sometimes users push back, and sometimes the company isn’t quite ready to implement them — this year seems even more important to delay them. Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 requires not only more powerful hardware, but also a piece of security hardware (or software emulation) called Reliable platform unit for operation.

Unlike Apple, Microsoft doesn’t patch its operating system annually, which makes sense: Windows serves a very heterogeneous market, which makes development much more complex than Apple’s approach of forcing us to control all the hardware. Even though Windows 10 is 5 years old, a large group of people have never upgraded due to updated hardware requirements, or even recently purchased used systems that don’t support it.

Prices of laptops and desktop computers are rising Due to artificial intelligence and data centers’ insatiable appetite for manufacturing resources previously allocated to consumer components such as memory and storage – including… A surprise round of raises this week from Apple. So, it’s a very bad time to buy consumer electronics, and it will likely remain that way for at least the next year.

If you’re using Windows 10 and haven’t signed up for the program yet, this… It’s still a very simple processprovided that you are running at least 22H2 and have a Microsoft account. In ideal circumstances, it’s just that A link is available from within Windows Update.

And if you can afford it, computer prices have not yet peaked, and a wave of… Cheap laptops The entry price has emerged in response to Apple’s success MacBook Neo.