Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 for most PC users in October 2025, ending technical support and security updates unless users pay for extended coverage. This move aims to encourage the adoption of Windows 11, which is set for a significant update this fall.
Despite the push for Windows 11, Windows 10 remains the most-used version according to metrics like Statcounter and the Steam Hardware Survey. Last November, Microsoft released notable updates for Windows 10, including the Copilot chatbot.
Microsoft has now reopened a Windows Insider Beta Channel for Windows 10, allowing users to test new features and improvements. This option is available even if your PC doesn’t meet Windows 11 requirements. However, if your PC is compatible, joining the Dev or Canary channels will upgrade it to Windows 11.
New features tested in the Beta Channel will be added to Windows 10 22H2, its final major update. As usual with beta programs, not all tested features will be released publicly, and they will be rolled out “when they’re ready.”
The end-of-support date for Windows 10 remains October 14, 2025. Joining the beta program won’t extend support. Users can continue receiving security updates past 2025 only by paying for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Pricing for individual users hasn’t been announced yet, but businesses may pay up to $61 per PC for the first year, while schools could pay as little as $1 per PC.
Expect most updates to focus on the Copilot assistant, as Microsoft is keen on integrating generative AI across its products. For example, the Windows 11 version of Copilot will soon run as a regular app instead of a persistent sidebar, a change that might also come to Windows 10.
