Moreover, the transition is being further delayed by current budget constraints within IT departments, and market changes as “PC vendors are attempting to lure businesses towards higher-priced AI PCs,” Atwal noted. This latter scenario is “further risking the Microsoft Win10 support deadline,” he said.
With that support deadline looming, however, both corporate and personal users alike may finally have an incentive to migrate to Windows 11, given that “regular updates, including security updates, are essential for the trouble-free operation of computers,” Jain observed.
Business and individual customers reluctant to make the switch to Windows 11 do have an out: Microsoft’s Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10 provides monthly security patches — but no feature updates or technical support — for up to three years after the October 2025 end-of-support deadline. Businesses must pay $61 per device the first year, $122 per device the second year, and $244 per device the third year. Pricing for individuals has not yet been announced.