---
title: "Microsoft Windows ESU: Year 2 Is Nearly Here and Time Is Running Out"
description: "Upgrade to Windows 11 now to avoid increased costs and security risks.
Act before Year 2 of Microsoft's Extended Security Updates programme."
---

[Blog ](https://www.aabyss.uk/blog)

# [Microsoft Windows ESU: Year 2 Is Nearly Here and Time Is Running Out](https://www.aabyss.uk/blog/microsoft-windows-esu-year-2-is-nearly-here-and-time-is-running-out)

 Written by [Aaron Hayes.](https://www.aabyss.uk/blog/author/aaron-hayes) | Feb 16, 2026 3:00:09 PM

## WHY ARE YOU WAITING?

 

If your business is still running Windows 10, the clock is ticking faster than you might think. Free support ended on 14 October 2025, which means you are now relying entirely on Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme to stay protected. That scheme is already moving into Year 2, and the cost and risk are increasing with every passing month.

 

Now is the moment to take action, not later.

## **The Real Cost of Waiting**

 Plenty of businesses used Year 1 of ESU as a buffer period. Understandable. Upgrades take time and planning. But ESU was always intended as a temporary safety net, and that net becomes more expensive every year. Here is what ESU looks like in pounds:

- **Year 1:** £77 per device
- **Year 2:** £154 per device
- **Year 3:** TBA, but if year 3 compares to year 2, then the cost could be £308

 That adds up to around **£539 per device over three years**, just for basic security updates. No new features, no performance improvements, no technical support. And if you skip a year, you must pay for the previous ones too.

 

It is an expensive way to stand still. Now imagine that multiplied across every machine in your organisation.

## **Why Year 2 Should Be Your Wake-Up Call**

 Moving into Year 2 is significant. By now:

- You are paying **double** the Year 1 cost
- More third-party software is retiring Windows 10 support
- Compatibility issues become more likely
- Cyber criminals know exactly which systems are lagging behind

 Every month you delay, the risk gets larger, and the financial hit grows. Staying on Windows 10 long term is simply not a sustainable strategy.

## **What Happens If You Leave It Too Late**

Many businesses plan to upgrade at the last minute. That rarely ends well. Delaying an operating system upgrade creates a perfect storm of problems.

### **1. Higher Costs**

 By Year 3, you are paying four times the original ESU cost.

It adds up quickly.

### **2. Hardware Availability Issues**

 As more organisations finally get around to upgrading, demand for compatible hardware increases. Lead times lengthen, and prices rise.

### **3. Operational Disruption**

 Upgrades take planning. Staff need training. Systems need testing. Trying to do all of this in a rush will disrupt productivity right when you can least afford it.

### **4. Security Exposure**

 With no ongoing security patches, Windows 10 becomes more vulnerable with every passing month. Criminals specifically target outdated systems because the weaknesses are predictable.

### **5. Application Failures**

 Your key tools may stop receiving updates or lose compatibility. Printers, scanners and other peripherals may also stop working reliably.

## **Why Upgrading Now Is the Smart Move**

 The good news is that upgrading to Windows 11 is **free** if your devices are compatible. You benefit from:

- Stronger security
- Better performance
- Improved productivity features
- Long-term support that keeps your organisation moving forward

 Windows 11 is where future software development is happening. Moving now keeps you competitive, secure and ready for what is next.

## **Start Early to Avoid the Last Minute Panic**

 The longer you leave it, the harder and more expensive the transition becomes. Planning ahead avoids unnecessary stress, cost and risk.

 

If you have not already begun preparing your Windows 11 upgrade, now is the right time. You will protect your business, save money in the long run, and ensure a smooth transition instead of a rushed scramble.

## **ACT NOW!**

**Do not wait for Year 2 to become another missed opportunity. **

 

**Get in touch with us today and let us help you plan and deliver a smooth, secure and stress-free upgrade to Windows 11. **

 

**Your future self and your team will thank you for acting now.**

[View full post](https://www.aabyss.uk/blog/microsoft-windows-esu-year-2-is-nearly-here-and-time-is-running-out)

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