Microsoft stands to Gain Billions From Extended Windows 10 Support
Microsoft could generate up to $7.3 billion solely from business customers through its Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10, according to a detailed analysis by Nexthink cited by Windows Central. The potential revenue stream stems from the notable number of organizations still relying on the operating system past its end-of-life date.
Nexthink’s calculations are based on Microsoft’s own data estimating over 1.4 billion PCs currently running Windows.Approximately 30% of these – roughly 420 million devices – are used by public and private organizations. Even with adoption of Windows 11, projections indicate around 121 million devices will still be operating on Windows 10 after support officially ends on October 14, 2025, creating a substantial market for continued security updates. The ESU program’s pricing, which doubles annually for a maximum of three years, would contribute to this significant income.
Microsoft has not yet confirmed or commented on these figures. alternatives for businesses include migrating to Windows 11, switching to operating systems like Linux, or adopting Chromebooks.
