Still on Windows 10? What Extended Security Updates Cost DFW Firms

By the DKBinnovative Crew | Reviewed by Peter Bertran, Chief Client Officer, DKBinnovative

Quick answer: Microsoft ended free Windows 10 support in October 2025. Businesses can still buy Extended Security Updates, but the price doubles each year and coverage is cumulative. For most professional firms, replacing or upgrading older PCs in Q1 2027 costs less than carrying them through year 3.

Where Windows 10 stands now

Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Since then, PCs without Extended Security Updates receive no security patches. Commercial ESU year 2 began in October 2026 and runs to October 2027.

Two details catch firms off guard:

• Coverage is cumulative. Buying ESU for the first time in year 2 means paying for year 1 as well, so a PC enrolling now costs $183 ($61 for year 1 plus $122 for year 2).
• You cannot buy part of a year. It is the full year or nothing.

Extended Security Updates versus replacing the PC

Microsoft’s published commercial ESU pricing is $61 per device for year 1, $122 for year 2 and $244 for year 3. Commercial ESU pricing doubles in each successive year, so carrying one machine through all three years costs materially more than the first-year figure suggests — before any support time is counted. Paying that for a machine that cannot run Windows 11 usually means paying to keep hardware that will need replacing anyway.

A simple rule we use with clients:

• PC can run Windows 11: upgrade it now. The upgrade itself is free.
• Cannot run Windows 11, under 4 years old: rare, but ESU may bridge you to a planned refresh.
• Cannot run Windows 11, 4+ years old: replace it. ESU just delays the bill.

The compliance risk for RIAs, CPAs and law firms

Unsupported operating systems show up in client security questionnaires, cyber insurance applications and SEC exam requests. “We still run Windows 10 without updates” is a hard answer to defend. For RIAs under Regulation S-P and tax preparers under the FTC Safeguards Rule, patching is one of the basic safeguards you are expected to have. Our glossary also covers patch management.

Check your fleet this week

1. List every PC and laptop with its Windows version and age.
2. Run Microsoft PC Health Check, or ask your IT provider for a report, to see which machines can run Windows 11.
3. Flag any device still on Windows 10 with no ESU. Those are the urgent ones.
4. Price the replacements and put them in your Q1 2027 budget.

A 60-day upgrade plan

• Weeks 1–2: Inventory, compatibility check, and a list of applications that must be tested — tax, practice management, document management.
• Weeks 3–4: Order hardware. Upgrade a pilot group of three to five users.
• Weeks 5–8: Roll out to everyone after hours, move user data, and retire old devices securely with a certified wipe.

For firms in Frisco, Plano and Irving

We handle hardware sourcing, Windows 11 setup and data moves for professional firms across DFW, scheduled around your busy seasons. See our managed IT services in Frisco and technology sourcing.

Frequently asked questions

Is Windows 10 still safe to use?

Only with Extended Security Updates. Without ESU the PC no longer receives security fixes, and an unsupported operating system shows up in client security questionnaires and insurance applications.

How does Windows 10 ESU pricing work for businesses?

Commercial ESU pricing doubles each year. Microsoft’s published price is $61 per device for year 1, $122 for year 2 and $244 for year 3. Coverage is cumulative, so buying for the first time in year 2 costs $183 per device and covers year 1 as well. You cannot buy part of a year.

Is the Windows 11 upgrade free?

Yes, on PCs that meet Microsoft hardware requirements. The licensing upgrade itself carries no cost.

What should we do with old PCs?

Wipe them with a certified data-destruction process before recycling or resale. They may still hold client data.

Should we buy ESU or replace the PC?

If the PC can run Windows 11, upgrade it now. If it cannot and it is four or more years old, replace it. ESU on hardware that needs replacing anyway only delays the bill.

Who handles Windows 11 upgrades for firms in Frisco?

DKBinnovative handles hardware sourcing, Windows 11 setup and data migration for professional firms across Frisco, Plano and Irving, scheduled around busy seasons, from its Frisco headquarters at 1701 Legacy Drive.

Get a free fleet check: Contact the DKB crew.

Confirm current ESU pricing with your Microsoft licensing partner before acting.