Microsoft remains fully committed to ending support for Windows 10 later next year which means millions may be forced to buy a brand new PC. With no updates or official security patches being released for devices running this ageing operating system the main option to stay safe is to upgrade to Windows 11 but that’s not possible if your laptop doesn’t have the correct system requirements.
This looming deadline looks set to cause a massive headache for millions but there could be some light at the end of the tunnel. As spotted by the team at Neowin, it appears one security firm is planning to release updates and fixes for five years after the end-of-life kicks in.
That means current Windows 10 PCs could keep going until 2030 without fear that they will be prone to cyber attacks or device-breaking bugs.
Opatch, the firm behind these updates, says it will “provide critical security patches for it for at least 5 more years”.
These will start in October 2025 and will be made up of so-called “micropatches” that will fix critical and likely-to-be-exploited vulnerabilities.
To make things simple, Opatch also states that there will be no need to reboot the computer after a patch is downloaded.
“October 2025 will be a bad month for many Windows users,” Opatch said on its website. “That’s when Windows 10 will receive their last free security update from Microsoft, and the only “free” way to keep Windows using securely will be to upgrade to Windows 11.
“With October 2025, 0patch will “security-adopt” Windows 10 v22H2, and provide critical security patches for it for at least 5 more years – even longer if there’s demand on the market.
“We’re the only provider of unofficial security patches for Windows.”
Sadly, these updates won’t be free with Opatch confirming that users who want to stay fully protected will need to pay around £23 per year per computer.
Expect more details on how Opatch will keep things safe next year but it’s definitely a service to keep an eye on if you don’t want to switch to Windows 11 or buy a new device.
Microsoft has also confirmed that it will be offering Extended Security Updates (ESUs)to those happy to pay a fee.
“While we strongly recommend moving to Windows 11, we understand there are circumstances that could prevent you from replacing Windows 10 devices before the EOS date. Therefore, Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates,” Microsoft’s Jason Leznek confirmed last December.
“You can enroll those PCs in the paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program. ESUs allow you to receive critical and/or important security updates for Windows 10 PCs when you need extra time to move to Windows 11.”
The price for this service is $61 per year (£48) although it’s worth noting that Microsoft is currently only confirming this for business enterprises and not home users.
