Microsoft to impose $61 fee for Windows updates amid looming deadline

In the United States, Microsoft has announced a new fee for Windows updates that will go into effect in just five weeks, aiming to charge business users $61 per year for essential security updates. As Microsoft's October 14 deadline approaches, users—especially business owners—are urged to consider the associated costs of maintaining their operating systems. According to data provided by Nexthink, Windows 10 still retains a 43% market share, which translates to approximately 181 million devices. However, this figure is expected to decrease by around 33% as the deadline nears, leaving about 121 million Windows 10 PCs vulnerable without paid support. This transition to a fee-based update system has raised some concerns, as users face purchasing costs that could total upwards of $7 billion within the next year. This substantial sum reflects the widespread reliance on the operating system, particularly among enterprise users who require ongoing security measures to protect against the growing threat landscape. Notably, no equivalent update provisions resembling the free 12-month update plan available to home users will be made available to businesses. Thus, many enterprises will need to quickly make decisions on their Windows 10 setups if they wish to avoid security gaps in their operations. In addition to the fee update, there are also concerns regarding the stability of Windows 11 for those who might consider upgrading. Reports indicate that users on the newer operating system are currently experiencing an increase in instability, with system crashes and hard resets occurring more frequently than in Windows 10. Nexthink has highlighted that the issue is often traced back to the hardware compatibility and deployment strategies employed by many enterprises, particularly those attempting to upgrade older computers. This has led to questions about whether organizations should invest in upgrades or consider replacing their older systems to achieve smoother operational performance, especially with Windows 11 being resource-intensive. As home users eagerly await the new “Enroll” button that will appear on their computers, they will also need to make timely choices among the options provided to ensure their devices remain secure for the forthcoming year. This fee structure represents a significant change in Microsoft’s update policy, reflecting broader trends in software maintenance and support as the company adapts to market demands and the evolving security landscape surrounding user data and device integrity.