Microsoft’s new Windows update fee could see users spend more than $7 billion over the next 12 months to ensure PCs retain access to critical support fixes. That fee starts in just 5 weeks and not paying has serious consequences.
We’re talking Windows 10 and the price for business users to keep PCs secure. There’s no equivalent to the free 12-month update that Microsoft’s recent u-turn has offered to home users. But all Windows 10 users need to act before the October 14 deadline.
The new warning comes from Nexthink, which says “the cost of custom Windows 10 support could reach upwards of $7.3bn,” based on analysis of the numbers of enterprise users likely to be still using Windows 10 as the October deadline comes and goes.
Nexthink says “data shows Windows 10 still has a 43% market share, which is equivalent to roughly 181 million devices.” They suggest “a further 33% reduction by the October 14, that would leave around 121 million Windows 10 PCs.”
Given the $61 fee for the first year, confirmed by Microsoft, the straight math gives you the $7 billion overall figure — assuming enterprises don’t run the risk of leaving PCs off support. Given the state of the Windows threat landscape, that would be ill-advised.
Nexthink also warns users upgrading to Windows 11 that PCs on the new OS “are currently experiencing a higher level of instability, with more frequent system crashes (1.2% vs 0.6% for Windows 10) and hard resets (9.9% vs 8.5% for Windows 10).”
“Every migration comes with teething problems, and what we’re seeing with Windows 11 is no different,” the team says, linking the higher level of instability to “underlying hardware, drivers, or the way systems are deployed.”
This will be especially true for enterprises upgrading older PCs that just make the infamous Windows 11 cut , the security-based compatibility test to determine whether a PC can be upgraded or needs to be replaced. Unsurprisingly, the heavier weight OS will be more stable on newer devices given its higher level of performance.
Home users also need to act before the October 14 deadline, with millions awaiting the “Enroll” button appearing on their PCs. Once that turns up, users can choose from one of three options to ensure PCs are secure for another year. Details here.
