Microsoft recently announced that it will be ending support for Windows 10 in October 2025. However, in a surprising move, the company has decided to reopen its beta program for Windows 10. This means that new features and improvements will continue to be tested on the OS, even though it will no longer receive official support after 2025.
The Windows Insider team at Microsoft stated in a blog post that they need a platform for active feature development with Windows Insiders. As a result, they have opened the Beta Channel for Windows Insiders who are currently on Windows 10. This move will allow users to access new features and improvements before they are officially rolled out.
While Microsoft has not disclosed specific details about the new features that will be tested on Windows 10 next, Windows Insiders can opt into the beta channel to stay updated. It is important to note that the end of support date for Windows 10 remains unchanged, despite these new developments. Users can still expect support until October 14th, 2025.
In addition to the beta program, Microsoft has also announced that consumers using Windows 10 will have the option to purchase paid security updates once the OS reaches its end of support in 2025. Businesses will be required to pay $61 per device for the first year of security updates, with the price doubling in subsequent years. Pricing for consumer security updates has not yet been revealed.
Microsoft continues to encourage consumers to upgrade to Windows 11, but many PCs are unable to do so due to strict hardware requirements. Windows 11 is only supported on CPUs released from 2018 onward and devices that support TPM security chips. As a result, Windows 11 usage lags behind Windows 10, with the latter still holding a market share of 68 percent.
Microsoft’s decision to reopen the beta program for Windows 10 demonstrates a commitment to providing users with new features and improvements. While the end of support date remains unchanged, this move will allow Windows 10 users to continue getting the most out of their current PCs. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Microsoft adapts its approach to operating system updates and support.
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