Microsoft is ending assist for Home windows 10 in October 2025, however the firm is now taking the weird step of reopening its beta program for Home windows 10 to check new options and enhancements.
Home windows 10 already received the AI Copilot characteristic that was initially unique to Home windows 11, and it might properly get different options quickly. “To convey new options and extra enhancements to Home windows 10 as wanted, we’d like a spot to do energetic characteristic growth with Home windows Insiders,” explains Microsoft’s Home windows Insider workforce in a weblog publish. “So right this moment, we’re opening the Beta Channel for Home windows Insiders who’re presently on Home windows 10.”
Microsoft hasn’t revealed what further Home windows 10 options it plans to check subsequent, however Home windows Insiders can choose into the beta channel to get them early. Crucially, the Home windows 10 finish of assist date of October 14th, 2025 continues to be unchanged. “Becoming a member of the Beta Channel in your Home windows 10 PC doesn’t change that,” says Microsoft.
Microsoft modified its thoughts on new Home windows 10 options late final 12 months
Microsoft initially stated it was achieved with main Home windows 10 updates final 12 months, earlier than its change in method to convey extra options to an OS that will likely be formally unsupported in round 16 months time. The software program large describes this variation as a approach “to ensure everybody can get the utmost worth from their present Home windows PC.”
Customers utilizing Home windows 10 can even be provided paid safety updates for the primary time ever as soon as the OS hits finish of assist in October 2025. Microsoft just lately revealed companies might want to pay $61 per gadget for a 12 months of safety updates. That price doubles to $122 for the second 12 months after which doubles once more in 12 months three to $244. Pricing for shopper safety updates hasn’t been revealed but, with Microsoft promising it “will likely be shared at a later date.”
Microsoft continues to attempt to get customers to improve to Home windows 11, however tens of millions of PCs can’t improve formally to Home windows 11 as a consequence of its strict {hardware} necessities and Microsoft’s safety push with its newest OS. Home windows 11 is barely supported on CPUs launched from 2018 onward and with gadgets that assist TPM safety chips.
Home windows 11 utilization has lagged behind Home windows 10, with StatCounter itemizing Home windows 11 at almost 28 p.c of all Home windows model market share for Could 2024. Home windows 10 continues to be at 68 p.c, 9 years after its launch in 2015.
